Epidiolex is a pharmaceutical product produced by Greenwich, a subsidiary of GW Pharmaceuticals, and is approved by the FDA. It is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients aged 1 year and older. On the other hand, CBD oil is not a pharmaceutical product and is not available with a prescription. It is not approved for any medical use by the FDA, but it is legally available on the market.
Epidiolex is made to a different standard compared to hemp-derived CBD oils. It uses cannabis plants for its CBD, and because these seizure conditions typically affect children and adolescents, it is generally prescribed for children with epilepsy. Other formulations containing organic CBD will have similar effects on seizures, as they contain support compounds that enhance the effect of CBD, a mechanism called the entourage effect. In clinical studies, Epidiolex was effective in reducing the number of seizures in people taking the medication.
It was also found to increase up to five times when taken with a high-fat meal. However, we cannot say whether or not CBD is beneficial to health beyond what is established by scientific research. Dr. Orrin Devinsky, professor of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry at the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University and director of the Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University, stated that “The approval of Epidiolex or cannabidiol is a milestone in medicine.” Cannabidiol (the active ingredient in Epidiolex) is currently being tested in clinical trials as a treatment option for other conditions.
Recent research suggests that CBD may help people with epilepsy, although some people may experience side effects.
