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Epidiolex
cannabidiol (CBD)
Adult Dosing .
Dosage forms: SOL: 100 mg per mL
seizures, Dravet syndrome
- [5 mg/kg/dose PO bid]
- Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Max: 20 mg/kg/day; Info: for more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- [5 mg/kg/dose PO bid]
- Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Max: 20 mg/kg/day; Info: for more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
seizures, tuberous sclerosis complex
- [12.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid]
- Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Info: for more rapid titration may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
renal dosing
- [see below]
- renal impairment: no adjustment
- HD/PD: not defined
hepatic dosing
- [Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome]
- Child-Pugh Class B: start 1.25 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 2.5-5 mg/kg/dose bid; Child-Pugh Class C: start 0.5 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 1-2 mg/kg/dose bid; Info: consider slower titration
- [tuberous sclerosis complex]
- Child-Pugh Class B: start 1.25 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 6.25 mg/kg/dose bid; Child-Pugh Class C: start 0.5 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 2.5 mg/kg/dose bid; Info: consider slower titration
Peds Dosing .
- Dosage forms: SOL: 100 mg per mL
seizures, Dravet syndrome
- [1 yo and older]
- Dose: 5 mg/kg/dose PO bid; Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Max: 20 mg/kg/day; Info: for more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- [1 yo and older]
- Dose: 5 mg/kg/dose PO bid; Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Max: 20 mg/kg/day; Info: for more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
seizures, tuberous sclerosis complex
- [1 yo and older]
- Dose: 12.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid; Start: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO bid x1wk, then may incr. by 5 mg/kg/day qwk; Info: for more rapid titration may incr. no more frequently than qod; give consistently w/ or w/o food; taper dose gradually to D/C
renal dosing
- [see below]
- renal impairment: no adjustment
- HD/PD: not defined
hepatic dosing
- [Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome]
- Child-Pugh Class B: start 1.25 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 2.5-5 mg/kg/dose bid; Child-Pugh Class C: start 0.5 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 1-2 mg/kg/dose bid; Info: consider slower titration
- [tuberous sclerosis complex]
- Child-Pugh Class B: start 1.25 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 6.25 mg/kg/dose bid; Child-Pugh Class C: start 0.5 mg/kg/dose bid, incr. to 2.5 mg/kg/dose bid; Info: consider slower titration
Contraindications / Cautions .
- hypersensitivity to drug or ingredient
- hypersensitivity to sesame seed oil
- pregnancy
- abrupt withdrawal
- caution: CNS depressant use, concurrent
- caution: alcohol use, concurrent
- caution: hepatotoxic agent use, concurrent
- caution: hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh Class B-C
- caution: suicide risk
Drug Interactions .
Overview
cannabidiol
cannabinoid
- CYP2C19 substrate
- CYP3A4 substrate
- CYP1A2 inhibitor, weak
- CYP2B6 inhibitor, weak
- CYP2C8 inhibitor, weak
- CYP2C9 inhibitor, weak
- CYP2C19 inhibitor, moderate
- UGT1A9 inhibitor
- UGT2B7 inhibitor
- P-gp inhibitor, strong
- CYP2B6 inducer, weak
- affected by altered fat absorption
- antiepileptic agent
- CNS depression
Contraindicated
- amifampridine
- bupropion
- colchicine
- dalfampridine
- fezolinetant
Avoid/Use Alternative
- abrocitinib
- apixaban
- bosentan
- butalbital
- cannabis
- clonidine
- clopidogrel
- codeine
- dabigatran
- doxylamine
- ensartinib
- ethanol
- futibatinib
- ginkgo
- hydrocodone
- isocarboxazid
- kava
- kratom
- lefamulin
- lenacapavir
- lorazepam
- meperidine
- metaxalone
- methadone
- metoclopramide
- midazolam
- neratinib
- norgestimate (contraceptive)
- oxybate
- pazopanib
- phenelzine
- pirfenidone
- pralsetinib
- promethazine
- relugolix
- repotrectinib
- rivaroxaban
- ropeginterferon alfa-2b
- silodosin
- thalidomide
- tizanidine
- topotecan
- tranylcypromine
- venetoclax
- zuranolone
Monitor/Modify Tx
- afatinib
- aldesleukin
- alfentanil
- alprazolam
- aminophylline
- amiodarone
- apalutamide
- atorvastatin
- avatrombopag
- baclofen intrathecal
- belzutifan
- bendamustine
- buprenorphine
- butorphanol
- caffeine citrate
- carbamazepine
- carvedilol
- celecoxib
- ceritinib
- chlordiazepoxide
- chlorpromazine
- cilostazol
- citalopram
- clobazam
- clonazepam
- clorazepate
- clozapine
- cyclophosphamide
- cyclosporine
- daridorexant
- desflurane
- deuruxolitinib
- dexmedetomidine
- dexmedetomidine injection
- diazepam
- diclofenac
- digoxin
- dihydrocodeine
- diltiazem
- droperidol
- edoxaban
- encorafenib
- enzalutamide
- esketamine
- esomeprazole
- estazolam
- eszopiclone
- ethanol (in some formulations)
- etomidate
- etoposide
- everolimus
- fedratinib
- fentanyl
- flibanserin
- fluphenazine
- flurazepam
- fluvastatin
- fosphenytoin
- gabapentin
- gabapentin enacarbil
- gilteritinib
- glimepiride
- hydromorphone
- hydroxyzine
- idelalisib
- ifosfamide
- isoflurane
- ivosidenib
- ketamine
- lamotrigine
- lapatinib
- lemborexant
- levorphanol
- loperamide
- lovastatin
- lumacaftor/ivacaftor
- mavacamten
- mavorixafor
- methohexital
- mirtazapine
- mitotane
- morphine
- mycophenolate mofetil
- mycophenolic acid
- nalbuphine
- nelarabine
- nintedanib
- olanzapine
- oliceridine
- omeprazole
- opicapone
- opium
- oxazepam
- oxybutynin
- oxycodone
- oxymorphone
- paclitaxel
- pentazocine
- pentobarbital
- perphenazine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- pitavastatin
- posaconazole
- pravastatin
- pregabalin
- primidone
- propofol
- quazepam
- quinidine (antiarrhythmic)
- quinidine (CYP2D6 inhibitor)
- quinine
- ranolazine
- red yeast rice
- remifentanil
- remimazolam
- repaglinide
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- rimegepant
- riociguat
- sevoflurane
- simvastatin
- sirolimus
- St. John's wort
- sufentanil
- suvorexant
- tacrolimus
- talazoparib
- tapentadol
- temazepam
- tenofovir alafenamide
- tenofovir disoproxil
- theophylline
- thioridazine
- thiothixene
- tofacitinib
- torsemide
- tramadol
- triazolam
- ubrogepant
- valproic acid
- voriconazole
- warfarin
- zaleplon
- ziconotide
- zolpidem
Caution Advised
- 5-HTP
- acyclovir
- aliskiren
- allopurinol
- almotriptan
- alosetron
- amantadine
- amitriptyline
- amoxapine
- amoxicillin
- amphetamine
- ampicillin
- apomorphine
- apraclonidine ophthalmic
- aripiprazole bimonthly injection
- aripiprazole lauroxil
- aripiprazole monthly injection
- aripiprazole oral
- artesunate
- asenapine
- axicabtagene ciloleucel
- baclofen
- benzphetamine
- betamethasone
- brexpiprazole
- brexucabtagene autoleucel
- brimonidine ophthalmic
- brimonidine topical
- brivaracetam
- bromocriptine
- brompheniramine
- buspirone
- busulfan
- carbinoxamine
- cariprazine
- carisoprodol
- cefazolin
- cefepime
- cefiderocol
- ceftaroline
- ceftazidime
- ceftobiprole
- cenobamate
- cetirizine
- chamomile, German
- chlophedianol
- chlorambucil
- chloroquine
- chlorpheniramine
- chlorzoxazone
- ciltacabtagene autoleucel
- ciprofloxacin
- cisatracurium
- clemastine
- clomipramine
- cocaine
- cortisone
- cyclobenzaprine
- cycloserine
- cyproheptadine
- dabrafenib
- dantrolene
- darbepoetin alfa
- darifenacin
- darolutamide
- deflazacort
- delafloxacin
- desipramine
- desvenlafaxine
- deutetrabenazine
- dexamethasone
- dexbrompheniramine
- dexchlorpheniramine
- dexlansoprazole
- dexmethylphenidate
- dextroamphetamine
- dichlorphenamide
- dicloxacillin
- diethylpropion
- difelikefalin
- difenoxin
- diflunisal
- dimenhydrinate
- diphenhydramine
- diphenoxylate
- domperidone
- donepezil
- doxepin
- doxepin topical
- dronabinol
- duloxetine
- efavirenz
- eletriptan
- elivaldogene autotemcel
- entacapone
- entrectinib
- ephedra
- epoetin alfa
- ertapenem
- escitalopram
- eslicarbazepine acetate
- ethosuximide
- etravirine
- felbamate
- fenfluramine
- fenofibrate
- fenofibric acid
- fesoterodine
- fexinidazole
- fluoxetine
- fluvoxamine
- foscarnet
- foslevodopa
- frovatriptan
- galantamine
- ganaxolone
- ganciclovir
- gemfibrozil
- glecaprevir
- glofitamab
- glycopyrrolate
- goserelin
- guanfacine
- haloperidol
- histrelin
- hydroxychloroquine
- hyoscyamine
- idecabtagene vicleucel
- iloperidone
- imipenem
- imipramine
- indomethacin
- interferon beta 1a
- interferon beta 1b
- iohexol
- iopamidol
- isoniazid
- ketorolac
- lacosamide
- lansoprazole
- larotrectinib
- lasmiditan
- leuprolide
- levetiracetam
- levocarnitine
- levocetirizine
- levodopa
- levofloxacin
- levomilnacipran
- lidocaine
- lidocaine topical
- linezolid
- linvoseltamab
- lisdexamfetamine
- lisocabtagene maraleucel
- lithium
- lofexidine
- lopinavir/ritonavir
- lorlatinib
- loxapine
- lumateperone
- lurasidone
- magnesium citrate
- maraviroc
- meclizine
- mefloquine
- melatonin
- meprobamate
- meropenem
- methamphetamine
- methocarbamol
- methotrexate
- methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta
- methsuximide
- methyldopa
- methylphenidate
- metronidazole
- metyrapone
- metyrosine
- mexiletine
- milnacipran
- mitapivat
- modafinil
- molindone
- mosunetuzumab
- moxifloxacin
- nafarelin
- nafcillin
- naldemedine
- naltrexone
- naratriptan
- nefazodone
- nevirapine
- nortriptyline
- obecabtagene autoleucel
- ofloxacin
- orphenadrine
- oxacillin
- oxcarbazepine
- pacritinib
- paliperidone
- paroxetine
- passion flower
- peginterferon beta 1a
- penicillin G
- penicillin V
- perampanel
- pexidartinib
- phendimetrazine
- pheniramine
- phentermine
- pibrentasvir
- pimozide
- piperacillin
- polyethylene glycol
- polyethylene glycol/electrolytes
- pramipexole
- procarbazine
- prochlorperazine
- proguanil
- protriptyline
- pyridostigmine
- pyrilamine
- pyrimethamine
- quetiapine
- ramelteon
- rasagiline
- regadenoson
- rifapentine
- rifaximin
- risperidone
- rivastigmine
- rizatriptan
- roflumilast
- roflumilast topical
- ropinirole
- rotigotine transdermal
- rufinamide
- safinamide
- scopolamine
- selegiline
- selegiline transdermal
- selinexor
- sertraline
- sodium picosulfate
- solifenacin
- sotorasib
- stiripentol
- sulfate bowel prep
- sumatriptan
- tasimelteon
- teclistamab
- terbutaline
- tetrabenazine
- thiotepa
- tiagabine
- ticagrelor
- tinidazole
- tipranavir
- tisagenlecleucel
- tolcapone
- tolterodine
- tolvaptan
- topiramate
- tranexamic acid
- trazodone
- treosulfan
- triamcinolone
- trifluoperazine
- trihexyphenidyl
- trimethobenzamide
- trimipramine
- triprolidine
- triptorelin
- trospium
- vadadustat
- valacyclovir
- valbenazine
- valerian
- valganciclovir
- varenicline
- velpatasvir
- venlafaxine
- vigabatrin
- vilazodone
- viloxazine
- vorasidenib
- zidovudine
- ziprasidone
- zolmitriptan
- zonisamide
Adverse Reactions .
Serious Reactions
- hepatic injury
- suicidality
- CNS depression
- respiratory failure
- withdrawal seizures if abrupt D/C
Common Reactions
- somnolence
- diarrhea
- anemia
- ALT or AST elevated
- appetite decr.
- fever
- vomiting
- rash
- fatigue
- insomnia
- infection
- Cr incr.
- irritability
- gastroenteritis
- gait disturbance
- nausea
- weight loss
- aggression
- platelets decr.
- eosinophils incr.
- sialorrhea
- abdominal discomfort
- hypoxia
Safety/Monitoring .
Monitoring Parameters
ALT, AST, total bilirubin at baseline, 1mo, 3mo, 6mo, then periodically, and w/in 1mo after dose changes, concurrent hepatotoxic med changes, and consider more frequently if on valproate or elevated baseline ALT/AST; s/sx depression, behavior changes, suicidality
Pregnancy/Lactation .
Pregnancy
Clinical Summary
avoid use during pregnancy; inadequate human data available; risk of embryo-fetal toxicity and death based on animal data at >9-16x recommended human dose
Pregnancy Registry
encourage pts to enroll in EPIDIOLEX Pregnancy Surveillance Program at 1-855-272-7158 or https://www.epidiolexpregnancystudy.com; encourage pts to enroll in North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry at 1-888-233-2334 or www.aedpregnancyregistry.org
Lactation
Clinical Summary
weigh risk/benefit while breastfeeding; no human data available to assess risk of infant harm or effects on milk production
Pharmacology .
Metabolism: liver primarily, gut; CYP450: 2C19, 3A4 substrate; UGT: 1A7, 1A9, 2B7 substrate; Info: active metabolite
Excretion: feces, urine minimally; Half-life: 56-61h
Subclass: Seizure Disorders
Mechanism of Action
exact mechanism of action for anticonvulsant effects unknown (CBD cannabinoid)
Formulary .
No Formulary Selected
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