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Last week, for the first time ever, the administration of food and drug approved a prescription drug based on marijuana components. Epidiolex contains a purified marijuana substance that does not produce a high or euphoric effect. It will not be accessible to a very large number of people because it has been approved only to treat two types of rare and serious epilepsy.
Catherine Carriker, aged 15, had her first attack at the age of three years
. In a few months, Catherine's uncontrolled epilepsy affected her motor functions and speech, and seizures continued to come. "She can have up to 50 seizures a day or as few as two or three," said Terri Carriker, Catherine's mother.
Seeing her daughter struggling, she convinced Terri to try everything she could to help. She even illegally bought medical marijuana before Texas allowed people with Catherine's condition to obtain it.
"And it was amazing, the benefit that she had for her," Terri said.
About two years ago, Catherine's mother enrolled her in a study to test Epidiolex, a drug made with the cannabidiol component of marijuana, or CBD, which is known to produce a relaxing effect on the brain. "She reduced her seizure numbers by about half, that reduced the intensity of most of her seizures and the duration of these," Terri said.
Catherine has been on Epidiolex since, with very few side effects. Last week, the FDA approved the drug for people with a specific diagnosis of epilepsy.
Catherine made the cut. "This has not been a miracle drug and it will not be for all children.I know some children have reached the freedom of seizure with it.But it is essentially a different tool in the toolbox for doctors who have trouble dealing with epilepsy, "Terri said.
Terri hopes the FDA will consider other prescription drugs containing marijuana components for the diagnosis difficult to treat. "The benefit of having an FDA-approved drug, of course, the main one is that insurance companies will eventually pay over time, which will make it more accessible to a greater number of people, "said Terri.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, wrote about the decision:" … it's all about ". an important medical advance, but it is also important to note that it is not an approval of the marijuana or any of its components. CBD medication for specific use … "
Terri thinks this decision will convince more doctors to prescribe CBD and more parents will feel comfortable treating their children with." that's the beginning of a whole new era of drugs, "said Terri.
There will still be one to three months before Epidiolex is available in pharmacies and even longer before to be covered by insurance companies.For those who are eligible and considering paying for it out of pocket, the estimated cost is about $ 2,000 per month.
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