Are there mortality risks for patients with epilepsy who use cannabis treatments as monotherapy?

Publication date: Available online 3 December 2018Source: Epilepsy & Behavior Case ReportsAuthor(s): Devon M. Kollmyer, Kyla E. Wright, Nicole M. Warner, Michael J. DohertyAbstractMortalities associated with cannabis used for treatment of epilepsy are not well documented. We discuss two mortalities in light of their epilepsy histories and their self-determined therapies with cannabis (SDTC). One patient had probable sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, the second due to seizure-associated drowning. Both prioritized SDTC over conventional anti-seizure medications. Where recreational cannabis is legal, decisions to use cannabis are often self-directed and independent of physician advice of cannabis risks, in part because physicians may not be aware of SDTC risks. Further study of morbidity and mortality of SDTC in patients with epilepsy is needed.
Source: Epilepsy and Behavior Case Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research