Cannabidiol/CBD (Epdyolex® / Epidiolex®) Serum

Serum, 1ml

Epidyolex (cannabidiol, CBD) is used as an add-on therapy for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS) or tuberous sclerosis (TSC) in patients aged 2 years and older. The preparation has been approved in Switzerland since Feburary 2021. CBD is a phytocannabinoid. However, it only has a weak psychotropic effect. Taking the preparation together with fatty/calorie-rich foods increases absorption and thus also blood plasma levels. The main metabolites in the blood are 7-carboxy-CBD (7-COOH-CBD) and 7-hydroxy-CBD (7-OH-CBD). While 7-OH-CBD may contribute to the effect, no pharmacological effect has been described for the main metabolite 7-COOH-CBD (up to 50x higher concentration than CBD possible) in serum.

Note: The simultaneous intake of CBD and clobazam can lead to greatly increased clobazam or norclobazam levels due to drug interactions (Epilepsia, 56(8):1246-1251, 2015). Likewise, high doses (> 1000 mg/day or >/= 20 mg/kg/day) and concomitant use of antiepileptic drugs such as valproic acid can lead to increased liver levels (J Intern Med. 2023 Jun;293(6):724-752).