Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy in Canada

Living with epilepsy can make everyday life unpredictable and challenging. As a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures, epilepsy affects thousands of Canadians of all ages, creating significant impacts on quality of life, independence, and overall well being.

Epilepsy manifests through epileptic seizures, which can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking. These episodes can be frightening, dangerous, and disruptive to daily functioning at school, work, and home.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures of variable intensity and effect. Epileptic seizures are generally caused by disturbances in specific regions of the brain that create ‘storms’ of brain activity.

Every day in Canada, approximately 42 people are diagnosed with epilepsy. About 60% of new patients are young children and senior citizens. Some other information about epilepsy diagnosis:

•  44% are diagnosed before the age of 5
•  55% before the age of 10
•  75-85% before age 18
•  1% of children will have recurrent seizures before age 14
•  1.3% are over the age of 60
•  34% of childhood deaths (in the US) are due to epilepsy or accidents from seizures

These statistics highlight the significant impact epilepsy has across all age groups, but particularly among young Canadians.

Living with epilepsy presents numerous challenges that can affect nearly every aspect of life:

•  Unpredictable seizures causing physical harm and injury
•  Medication side effects that can impact cognition and energy
•  Driving restrictions affecting independence
•  Social stigma and misunderstanding from others
•  Educational and employment difficulties
•  Emotional challenges including anxiety and depression
•  Sleep disruption
•  Memory and cognitive issues

Traditional treatments typically involve anti-seizure medications, dietary therapies, devices, and in some cases, surgery. However, these don’t work optimally for everyone. Up to one-third of people with epilepsy have drug-resistant seizures that do not respond adequately to conventional treatments. Side effects and limited effectiveness have led many Canadians to explore alternative options, including medical cannabis.

Research into cannabis for epilepsy is robust and growing, with several controlled studies showing medical marijuana can reduce seizures in patients of all ages. Medical marijuana has been used to treat epilepsy in Canada for many years, with increasingly strong scientific support.

The effectiveness of cannabis for epilepsy is primarily linked to how cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating neurological activity:

1. Anti-seizure properties: CBD (cannabidiol) has demonstrated significant anticonvulsant properties in clinical trials
2. Neuroprotective effects: Cannabinoids may help protect brain cells during seizure activity
3. Reduced excitotoxicity: Cannabis compounds may help regulate excessive neuronal firing
4. Anti-inflammatory action: Reducing brain inflammation that can trigger seizures

Studies show CBD is the most helpful compound to treat most neurological symptoms associated with epilepsy. However, THC can also work well for epilepsy symptoms, and a combination of CBD and THC often works best, which is commonly known as the ‘entourage effect’.

In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication, for treating specific forms of epilepsy, further validating cannabis compounds as legitimate treatment options.

It’s important to note that while research is promising, cannabis treatment should be used under proper medical guidance, especially for epilepsy, where proper dosing and monitoring are essential.

For Canadians struggling with epilepsy, medical cannabis may offer several potential benefits:

Primary Symptom Management

Many patients report improvements in core epilepsy symptoms, including:

•  Reduced seizure frequency
•  Decreased seizure intensity
•  Shorter seizure duration
•  Improved recovery time after seizures
•  Enhanced overall quality of life

Complementary Therapy

Others find cannabis helpful as a complementary treatment to address the side effects of conventional epilepsy medications:

•  Relief from medication-induced nausea
•  Improved sleep quality
•  Reduced anxiety that often accompanies epilepsy
•  Mood stabilization
•  Improved appetite

Medical cannabis comes in various forms, each with different onset times, durations, and potential benefits for epilepsy management. Finding the right option depends on your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs.

Oils and Tinctures

•  Precise dosing capabilities
•  Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours)
•  Discreet and easy to incorporate into daily routines
•  A good option for maintaining consistent seizure control
•  Most commonly used form for epilepsy patients

Capsules

•  Pre-measured doses for consistency
•  Extended-release options available
•  Similar to taking traditional medication
•  Convenient for people with established routines

Sprays

•  Quick sublingual absorption
•  Moderate duration (3-6 hours)
•  Discreet and portable
•  Easier to adjust dosing as needed

Many epilepsy patients focus on CBD-dominant products, particularly oils, which allow for precise, consistent dosing. It’s important to highlight the symptoms that can most benefit from medical marijuana to include it as part of a complete therapy plan.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which forms might work best based on your specific epilepsy type, seizure patterns, and previous treatment history.

If you’re considering medical cannabis for epilepsy in Canada, here’s how to begin the process:

1. Consider if medical cannabis may be right for you

To determine if medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation:

•  You may have been diagnosed with epilepsy by a neurologist or healthcare professional
•  You may have tried conventional treatments with inadequate seizure control or experienced significant side effects
•  You must reside in Canada
•  Provincial age requirements typically align with the legal cannabis purchase age (19 in most provinces, 18 in some), though patients of any age can be considered with appropriate parental/guardian involvement

2. Book an online consultation

Our streamlined process makes it easy:

•  Schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider
•  Complete a brief triage questionnaire after booking
•  Discuss your epilepsy symptoms, seizure patterns, treatment history, and goals

3. Receive your online prescription

If approved, you’ll receive:

•  A personalized treatment plan
•  A legal medical cannabis prescription
•  Guidance on product selection and dosing
•  Registration assistance with licensed producers

4. Ongoing support

Our care doesn’t end with your prescription:

•  Follow-up consultations to monitor progress and seizure control
•  7 day a week support by phone and email
•  Dosage adjustments as needed
•  Access to healthcare professionals for questions
•  Educational resources about cannabis and epilepsy

Starting medical cannabis treatment for epilepsy is a significant decision. Our team of healthcare professionals specializes in cannabis medicine and can help you navigate this process safely and effectively through online prescription services across Canada

Apollo has seen countless patients who suffer from Epilepsy and we look forward to helping you too!

An important consideration for anyone with epilepsy is how medical cannabis might interact with anti-seizure medications.

These interactions could affect how your medications work or potentially cause unwanted effects. With epilepsy in particular, maintaining proper seizure control is essential, and medication adjustments should be made carefully.

For your safety, always:

•  Disclose all medications to your healthcare provider during your consultation
•  Start with low doses of cannabis when using with other medications
•  Monitor for any changes in seizure patterns and report them promptly
•  Never adjust anti-seizure medications without medical supervision
•  Keep a seizure diary to track any changes after starting cannabis

A comprehensive consultation with a healthcare provider at Apollo Cannabis is essential to ensure your treatment plan considers all aspects of your health, providing the best opportunity for successful seizure management with your online prescription.

Finding the right cannabis dosage for epilepsy management is a personalized process requiring individualized guidance. While we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some general principles:

Starting Your Cannabis Treatment:

•  Begin with minimal doses, especially CBD
•  Start with a CBD-dominant product if available
•  Consider starting with CBD dosage recommended by your HCP twice daily, gradually increasing
•  Observe effects for at least 1-2 weeks before significant adjustments
•  Maintain a consistent schedule for dosing

Gradual adjustments:

•  Increase by small increments (5-10mg CBD)
•  Allow time between adjustments to assess the effects on seizure control
•  Focus on finding the minimal effective dose
•  Consider adding minimal THC if appropriate and under medical guidance

Tracking response:

•  Document dosage, timing, and effects
•  Maintain a detailed seizure diary including frequency, duration, and intensity
•  Note any pattern changes or improvements
•  Record any unwanted effects

These general guidelines are based on standards from The College of Family Physicians of Canada, but must be tailored to your specific needs by a healthcare provider during your online consultation. Remember that cannabis affects everyone differently, and finding your optimal dosage may take time and patience. Working with a healthcare provider experienced in cannabis for epilepsy can significantly improve your results when getting an online prescription in Canada.