Frequent cannabis use linked to more seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy

Getty/halbergman

By Olivia Bowthorpe

Frequent cannabis use may be linked to a higher rate of severe seizures in people with drug-resistant epilepsy, a US study has found.

It found an association with focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS) – that start in one area of the brain and spread to both sides.

Researchers suggested that doctors ask their patients about cannabis use as they would ask about alcohol and other drug-use.

The research, published in Epilepsia, was based on 64 adults with drug-resistant epilepsy who were admitted to a specialist epilepsy monitoring unit. Of these, 22 used cannabis on at least 20 days a month, and 42 did not use cannabis.

FBTCS occurred in 91% of frequent cannabis users and 57% of non-users. The average annual frequency was also higher among frequent users, at three seizures compared with just over one.

Frequent cannabis users were also taking more antiseizure medicines when discharged from the unit, an average of three medicines compared with just over two among non-users.