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Dispensary Cannabidiol (CBD): Nothing to Worry About!
Taylor Elliott1,2, Andrew J Gienapp2,3, James W Wheless2,4
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA.
Child Neurology Open
|April 27, 2023
Summary
Dispensary cannabidiol (CBD) failed to reach therapeutic levels in epilepsy patients. Unregulated products contained THC, indicating a lack of quality control for these CBD supplements.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Science
Background:
- US FDA-approved cannabidiol (CBD) liquid (Epidiolex®) exists for epilepsy treatment.
- Patients frequently use dispensary CBD alongside prescription medications.
- The therapeutic effectiveness of dispensary CBD remains unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the therapeutic effectiveness of dispensary-sourced CBD in patients with epilepsy.
- To determine if dispensary CBD achieves therapeutic serum concentrations.
- To identify any adverse effects or contaminants in dispensary CBD products.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 18 pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients.
- Collected data included dosage, serum CBD levels, efficacy, and adverse events.
- Serum levels were compared against a therapeutic target of 150 ng/mL.
Main Results:
- None of the 18 patients achieved therapeutic serum CBD levels (≥150 ng/mL).
- Six patients had barely detectable CBD levels below laboratory reporting thresholds.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detected in 4 patients, indicating product inconsistency.
Conclusions:
- Dispensary CBD products did not reach effective therapeutic levels in this patient cohort.
- The presence of THC highlights significant regulatory gaps in the dispensary market.
- Reported clinical benefits are likely attributable to concurrent antiseizure medications, not dispensary CBD.
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