Marijuana use is common among patients with epilepsy, particularly those with drug-resistant seizures, according to results published in Neurology Clinical Practice. Ana Suller Marti, MD, MSc, CNCSEEG, PhD-candidate, and colleagues examined marijuana use and perceptions among patients with epilepsy via a survey. Of 395 respondents, 221 reported marijuana use within the past year. More than half (50.7%) reported a seizure history of more than 10 years, with generalized seizures being the most common type. More than half (52.0%) also reported trying at least three antiseizure medications, and 37.2% tried other strategies, including the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and resective surgery, which indicated a proportion of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, according to the study results. This subgroup was more likely to use marijuana (P<0.001). Current marijuana use for epilepsy was endorsed by 47.5% and was described as “somewhat” to “very” effective for decreasing seizure frequency in 60.1% of respondents. “With the increased accessibility of marijuana, it is imperative that physicians are aware of marijuana usage habits among patients with epilepsy,” Dr. Suller Marti and colleagues wrote.
