The epileptologist explains the new cannabis-based drug approved by the FDA



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TYLER, TX (KLTV) –

The medical field is progressing in people with epilepsy. In February, patients with refractory epilepsy in Texas had access to cannabidiol or CBD oil. On Monday, some patients across the country suffering from epilepsy may receive Epidiolex.

"It has been approved to treat patients with two very specific forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome" Jetter said. "And typically, these are patients who are children and who have severe forms of epilepsy."

Both syndromes can affect children as early as two or three years of age. Patients usually have different types of seizures such as seizures and atonic seizures.

"As a general rule, patients with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome may have tens to hundreds of seizures a day"

. drug approved by the FDA to treat Dravet syndrome, which affects nearly 12,000 patients in the United States.

In a statement, the FDA said, "This is an important medical advance. But it is also important to note that this is not an endorsement of marijuana or any of its components. "

Dr. Jetter thinks that this approval could lead to further research on medicinal marijuana."

"We need very good studies that show that this drug does not work only in the world." epilepsy, "said Jetter." But in other neurological diseases and other diseases in general. "

Epidiolex should only be available later this fall, but Jetter says she Looking forward to working with his patients and this new drug.

We now need more drugs to help people, "said Jetter. "Because we have a lot of people who are suffering and suffering and we need to be able to help them, and so, classifying him and the student, it's going to be really good."

Dr. Jetter says that unlike drugs offered to patients in Texas, Epidiolex will be covered by insurance because it is approved at the federal level.

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