Epidiolex Liquid: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Epidiolex Liquid (cannabidiol) is a prescription cannabinoid medicine used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. It does not contain THC and does not cause a high. It is taken by mouth, usually twice a day, and may help reduce seizure frequency and improve seizure control. It can affect the liver and carries other precautions that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

What is Epidiolex Liquid

Epidiolex is a prescription liquid medicine containing cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from the cannabis plant. It does not contain THC and does not make people feel high. It is used to help control certain types of seizures. Its drug class is cannabinoid; miscellaneous anticonvulsant.

Epidiolex Liquid uses

• Treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older
• Treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older

Benefits of Epidiolex Liquid

• May reduce seizure frequency.
• May help improve seizure control alongside other medicines.
• May reduce interruptions to daily activities caused by seizures.
• May help support daily functioning when seizures are better controlled.
• May improve seizure management in certain difficult-to-treat epilepsy syndromes.

How Epidiolex Liquid works

Scientists don't fully understand how it works, but it's thought to calm overactive electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures, without acting on the same brain receptors as other cannabis compounds.

Epidiolex Liquid dosage

Take this medicine by mouth exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, usually twice a day at about the same time each day. Take it consistently either always with food or always without food, since food changes how much medicine your body absorbs.

Measure each dose using the oral syringe and bottle adapter provided; do not use a household spoon. Use a dry syringe each time, since water getting into the syringe can make the liquid look cloudy. If a dose is more than 5 mL, you may need to measure and give the medicine in more than one syringe-full to complete the full dose.

Place the syringe tip against the inside of the cheek and push the plunger gently; do not aim the medicine toward the back of the mouth or throat, as this may cause choking. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider, as this can increase seizure frequency or cause seizures that don't stop.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral solution, 100 mg/mL

Side effects of Epidiolex Liquid

Common

• Sleepiness
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Increases in liver enzymes
• Fatigue, weakness, or general discomfort
• Rash
• Sleep problems (insomnia) or poor quality sleep
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Infections

Serious

• Liver problems
• Severe sleepiness or sedation affecting alertness and coordination
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Mood or behavior changes (agitation, aggression, mania, new or worse depression or anxiety)
• Severe allergic reactions (swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; hives)
• Status epilepticus (seizures that don't stop, or worsening seizure frequency)
• Pneumonia
• Anemia (decreased red blood cells)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause liver problems, sometimes requiring hospital care. Your doctor will test your liver function before you start and periodically during treatment.
• Like other seizure medicines, this drug can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. Watch for new or worsening mood or behavior changes.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, since stopping abruptly can cause seizures to happen more often or cause a dangerous condition of continuous seizures.
• This medicine can cause allergic reactions. If this happens, the medicine should be stopped and not restarted.
• Taking this medicine with certain other seizure medicines, especially valproate and clobazam, increases the risk of liver enzyme elevations.
• It isn't known if this medicine is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest it may cause harm to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant, so you can decide together whether to use this medicine during pregnancy.
• It isn't known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or affects a nursing baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking this medicine.
• This medicine can cause liver problems and may require a lower dose or slower dose increases if you have liver impairment. Your doctor will check your liver function with blood tests before and during treatment.
• Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine may increase sleepiness and may also raise the risk of liver damage. It's best to limit alcohol use.
• This medicine can make you sleepy and affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C); short-term exposure between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) is permitted
• Always store the bottle in its original container in an upright position
• Do not refrigerate or freeze
• Keep the child-resistant cap tightly closed
• Use within 12 weeks of first opening the bottle, then throw away any remaining unused medicine
• Keep out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of liver problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, feeling unwell, unusual tiredness, yellowing of skin or eyes, itching, or dark urine.
• Call a healthcare provider right away if you notice thoughts about suicide or dying, a suicide attempt, new or worse depression or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggression, or other unusual mood or behavior changes.
• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• If you think too much medicine has been taken, get medical help right away or contact your local poison control center.

Alternatives

• Lamotrigine
• Clobazam
• Valproate