Use of artisanal and non-regulated cannabis-based products for the treatment of epilepsy in a low-income population

Abstract

Introduction: Several artisanal and non-regulated cannabis-based products used for the treatment of epilepsy are available and can be easily obtained. Many of these preparations lack proper quality validation and exhibit cannabinoid contents significantly different from those stated on their labels, along with the presence of potentially harmful compounds. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of use and prescription patterns of these products among patients with epilepsy from a low-income population. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study. A survey was conducted on patients with epilepsy at a public hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Results: A total of 380 patients were evaluated, with 10.3 % (n = 39) reporting the use of artisanal and non-regulated cannabis-based products for the treatment of epilepsy. Among these patients, 84.6 % (n = 33) used the product on their own initiative, without a medical recommendation. Only 7.7 % (n = 3) of the patients had a record of the consumption of these products in their medical history. Age (p = 0.002), type of therapeutic response (p = 0.01), number of previous antiseizure medications used (p < 0.01), and non-pharmacological treatment such as vagal nerve stimulation (p < 0.01) showed a statistically significant association with the utilization of these products. Conclusion: One in ten patients with epilepsy has used artisanal and non-regulated cannabis-based products for the treatment of their condition. The majority of patients used these products on their own initiative, without a medical recommendation. The prevalence of consuming these products was higher among younger individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy, who had previously used multiple antiseizure medications and other non-pharmacological alternatives such as vagal nerve stimulation. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.