Study tests safer switch from street CBD to approved drug for kids with severe epilepsy
NCT ID NCT06924827
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at the best way to switch children with Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome from artisanal (non-pharmaceutical) cannabidiol to Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD medication. About 25 children aged 2 to 18 will gradually increase their Epidiolex dose while reducing their artisanal CBD over two weeks. Researchers will track how many successfully make the switch and continue on Epidiolex for 20 weeks, monitoring side effects and seizure control.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Epidiolex (pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could provide a safe, step-by-step method for switching children from unregulated CBD products to a consistent, approved medication for seizure control.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 25 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Side effects from the switch or differences in dosing could cause problems.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 25 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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2 to 18 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female aged 2 through 18 years, inclusive. * Clinical diagnosis of Dravet or Lennox Gastaut Syndrome: Clinical diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome supported by: 1. Onset of seizures within the first year of life. 2. Initial seizures present as fever-induced or fever-triggered seizures, hemi-clonic, generalized tonic-clonic, prolonged seizures (more than 15 minutes). 3. Emergence of other seizure types after 1 year of age. 4. Normal development within the first year of age, then emergence of neurodevelopmental difficulties or delay. Clinical diagnosis of Lennox Gastaut Syndrome supported by: a. History of an EEG with slow/disorganized background and slow (\<2.5 Hz or less) spike and wave activity or generalized paroxysmal fast activity (GPFA). b. History of more than 1 type of generalized seizures, including drop seizures (tonic, atonic or tonic-clonic). * Participant must be willing and able to give written informed consent for participation. If the participant is not qualified or unable to provide written consent based on age, development, intellectual capacity or other factors, the parent or legally authorized representative must provide written informed consent on their behalf. * Must be on a stable dose of a licensed artisanal cannabidiol (CBD) product as maintenance therapy for seizure control for a minimum of 3 months prior to screening (visit 1). * 'Artisanal' CBD dose must be between 5 mg/kg/day and 20mg/kg/day. * 'Artisanal' CBD preparation must be a high CBD to THC formulation defined as a minimum CBD:THC ratio of 20:1. * Must be taking a minimum of 1 other anti-seizure medication (ASM) in addition to an 'artisanal' form of CBD. * Must be on a stable dose of ASMs for a minimum of 28 days prior to screening (visit 1) and remain on a stable dose throughout the entire study unless medically necessary change(s) are required for safety events. * Participants with a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) must have the following conditions met: 1. The VNS has been in place for a minimum of 3 months prior to screening (visit 1). 2. The settings have remained constant for 28 days prior to screening (visit 1) and are expected to remain constant throughout the entire study. 3. The battery is expected to last for the duration of the study. * Participants on the ketogenic diet must be on a stable regime for a minimum of 28 days prior to screening (visit 1) and expected to remain stable throughout the entire study. * Participant and/or caregiver must be willing to maintain a seizure diary throughout the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous or current exposure to Epidiolex. * Supplemental use of cannabinoid-containing products, including but not limited to: 1. Recreational use of cannabis. 2. Use of artisanal CBD as a seizure rescue medication. 3. Use of more than one formulation of 'artisanal' CBD (e.g. THC supplementation). * Pregnant or breastfeeding. * Any clinically significant, unstable medical condition other than epilepsy that, in the opinion of the investigator, could place the participant at increased risk or interfere with the results of the study. * Hepatic impairment at screening (visit 1) defined as either of the following conditions: 1. ALT or AST \> 5x upper limit of normal (ULN). 2. ALT or AST \> 3x ULN and total bilirubin \>2x ULN (or international normalized ratio \>1.5). * Known sensitivity to any ingredient in Epidiolex, including sesame and sesame oil. * Unwillingness to refrain from alcohol consumption throughout the duration of the study. * Unwillingness of females of childbearing potential to use a highly effective form of birth control. Acceptable methods include: hormonal contraceptives, intra-uterine devices, bilateral tube occlusion, vasectomized partner and sexual abstinence. * Currently enrolled in another clinical trial. * Have suicidal plan/intent, active suicidal thoughts, or a suicide attempt in the past 6 month prior to screening.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can an experimental drug cut drop seizures in a severe childhood epilepsy?
- Can a new drug tame seizures in two severe epilepsy syndromes?
- Can a new Add-On drug tame seizures in dravet syndrome?
- Blood markers may expose hidden brain changes in dravet syndrome
- How many people live with rare epilepsies in spain? a nationwide count aims to find out
- Counting the uncounted: a nationwide look at two rare epilepsies