For those who don’t know, Epidiolex is the first CBD-based drug approved by the FDA. The drug is used for managing seizures associated with epilepsy. The approval of Epidiolex has made even CBD skeptics accept that it has medical benefits and that it is not a hoax. Even though Epidiolex is efficient, there are many side effects associated with this drug. So many people are enquiring whether they can use CBD oil instead of Epidiolex.
In this article, we are discussing the major differences between CBD oil and Epidiolex and whether CBD oil can substitute Epidiolex.
Epilepsy And CBD
Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) such as Clonazepam, Diazepam, and Valproic acid are commonly used to treat epilepsy but they have many side effects such as fatigue, drowsiness, and tremors, headaches, and hair loss.
CBD is a powerful anti-seizure medication that has been used to treat drug-resistant Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and to treat Tuberculosis Sclerosis Complex. CBD products have far fewer side effects than traditional AEDs and are far more tolerable.
Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved brand of CBD for seizure management. However, other formulations containing organically sourced CBD may have similar effects on epilepsy. The efficacy of CBD oil for epilepsy depends upon the dose, preparation, and form of the CBD oil.
Epidiolex For Epilepsy Treatment
As we already mentioned, Epidiolex is mainly used to treat seizures associated with epilepsy conditions called the Lennox-Gastraut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. This drug is approved by the FDA and can be given to children above two years who have been diagnosed with the above-mentioned syndromes.
CBD Oil For Epilepsy
CBD oil may help with epilepsy seizures because of the presence of CBD. As the efficacy of CBD oil for epilepsy is not clinically proven, we cannot guarantee its effects. As the CBD market is not regulated like the pharmaceutical industry, there is no standardization of products in terms of potency and purity. As a result, determining the efficacy of specific dosages is difficult.
CBD Oil Or Epidiolex: Which Is Better?
Even though Epidiolex is effective, its consumption can cause many side effects including drowsiness, decreased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, insomnia, etc. A higher dose of CBD oil might be effective for epilepsy seizures, but it is not clinically proven. The only benefit you may get from using CBD oil instead of Epidiolex is the reduced side effects.