Answers to common questions about EPIDIOLEX

EPIDIOLEX is the first and only FDA-approved prescription cannabidiol (CBD) used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients 1 year of age or older.

In LGS, EPIDIOLEX is approved to treat drop seizures, including tonic, atonic, and tonic-clonic that lead, or could lead, to a fall or injury.

In Dravet syndrome, EPIDIOLEX is approved to treat convulsive seizures including several seizure types: tonic, tonic-clonic, atonic, and clonic.

EPIDIOLEX is approved to treat TSC-associated seizures including different types of partial onset (focal) seizures and generalized seizures.

EPIDIOLEX may be an option for you or your loved one if they are 1 year of age or older, are not allergic to cannabidiol or any ingredients in EPIDIOLEX, and your doctor writes a prescription because they have determined that it is an appropriate antiseizure medication.

It is not known if EPIDIOLEX is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.

Do not take if you are allergic to cannabidiol or any of the ingredients in EPIDIOLEX.

You and your healthcare provider will decide if EPIDIOLEX is the right option.

This may depend on diagnosis and your response to current treatment.

Your healthcare provider may order blood tests and consider medicines and supplements you are currently taking, as well as other risk factors. See the Medication Guide for additional details.

EPIDIOLEX is an FDA-approved medicine, which means you can only get it through a doctor's prescription.

Whether you’re new to EPIDIOLEX or already considering it, it helps to go in prepared. The Appointment Preparation Tool walks you through simple questions about seizures, treatment goals, and what to ask your doctor so you can make the most of your time together.

Your doctor will decide if EPIDIOLEX is right for you or your loved one and write a prescription to be filled at a specialty pharmacy that works with your insurance.

Specialty pharmacies offer expertise in the support and fulfillment of prescriptions for rare, complex, and/or chronic diseases and are like any other pharmacy where you fill FDA-approved prescription medicines. The specialty pharmacy will call you to discuss important information about your prescription, so keep an eye out for a call from a 1-800 number or a local number and be sure to check your voicemail.

The medicine is typically shipped directly to your home, and in some cases, you may be able to pick up your prescription from a local pharmacy. Most people receive their first bottle of EPIDIOLEX less than 10 days after their doctor prescribes it.

While studies were not designed to prove how long it takes to see seizure reduction, an exploratory analysis conducted after the studies were complete suggests that some patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) had fewer drop seizures* after using EPIDIOLEX for 8 days, some patients with Dravet syndrome started having fewer convulsive seizures† as early as 10 days after starting EPIDIOLEX, and some patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) had fewer TSC-associated seizures‡ after using EPIDIOLEX for 6 days. But everyone's symptoms and dose can be different, so your experience with EPIDIOLEX may be different, too.

*Drop seizures included tonic, atonic, and tonic-clonic that led, or could have led, to a fall or injury.
^†Convulsive seizures included tonic, tonic-clonic, atonic, and clonic.
^‡TSC-associated seizures included different types of partial-onset (focal) seizures and generalized seizures.

EPIDIOLEX will not make you feel "high," the common effect associated with THC. EPIDIOLEX and THC are entirely different from each other and have different effects on the body.

EPIDIOLEX is an FDA-approved prescription medicine and is therefore legal under federal and state laws.

EPIDIOLEX is recognized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as an FDA-approved cannabis-derived medicine, which means you can legally carry it on airplanes anywhere in the United States. For information about traveling with EPIDIOLEX, including rules and regulations, tips for navigating airport security, and useful contact numbers, download a travel card.

Since each country's laws vary, Jazz Pharmaceuticals is not able to provide guidance regarding travel with EPIDIOLEX to countries outside the United States. For information from the CDC about medication and international travel, click here.

Traveling soon? Visit our supplies page to keep everything safe and organized wherever you go.

EPIDIOLEX offers a variety of support programs to help you along the way in your treatment journey.

Starting with the JazzCares^® Nurse Navigator Program, you'll be paired with a dedicated Nurse Navigator who can answer questions, offer guidance, and help you handle the details when taking EPIDIOLEX.

Whether you're just starting or have been taking EPIDIOLEX for a while, the EPIDIOLEX Care Kit gives you helpful resources and support you may need during treatment.

EPIDIOLEX is an oral solution that is taken twice daily. Some doctors recommend taking it with meals since this can help your body absorb the medicine better—but what’s most important is that you take it the same way each time, whether with or without food.

EPIDIOLEX dosing is individualized to you or your loved one. It's based on a few things. One of the considerations is body weight. This means that as you or your loved one grows, EPIDIOLEX can grow with you. The dosing also allows your doctor to consider things such as how well it's working, any side effects that may occur, and other medications you may be taking. Your doctor will work with you to find the dose that's right for you, monitoring and adjusting over time to help find the right balance.

Your doctor may start you or your loved one on a lower dose of EPIDIOLEX and gradually increase it ove time. This process is called titration. It’s a slow, careful approach that helps you find a balance between seizure reduction and side effects. It takes patience, but sticking with it is important.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines so he or she can take that into account when creating your dosing schedule. Your doctor may also request blood work to evaluate liver function before you start and during treatment. 

If necessary, EPIDIOLEX can be administered with certain nasogastric tubes (NG-tube) or gastrostomy tubes (G-tube). There are important considerations that you need to be aware of when administering EPIDIOLEX using feeding tubes. For specific instructions, please see the EPIDIOLEX Prescribing Information and talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

The active ingredient in EPIDIOLEX is cannabidiol (CBD). Other ingredients that make up EPIDIOLEX include dehydrated alcohol, sesame seed oil, strawberry flavor, and sucralose (an artificial sweetener). Both strawberry flavor and sucralose are compatible with the ketogenic diet.

EPIDIOLEX is made without sugar, making it compatible with many epilepsy diets, including the ketogenic diet. However, always talk to your doctor about your dietary therapy or any changes to dietary therapy before taking EPIDIOLEX.

EPIDIOLEX may interact with some antiseizure medications or other medications you are taking. Let your doctor know about all medicines, supplements, or over‑the‑counter products being taken, because that helps the doctor create a dosing plan that’s right for you.

EPIDIOLEX does not contain dairy, gluten (wheat, barley, or rye), or nuts.

Dairy products are not used in the manufacturing of EPIDIOLEX.

EPIDIOLEX is an oral solution of cannabidiol (100 mg/mL) in sesame seed oil. It is important to note that sesame is a seed, not a nut. A nut allergy does not necessarily mean you are allergic to seeds.

EPIDIOLEX should be avoided in patients with a known or suspected sesame seed allergy. Talk to your doctor if you have any more questions about dietary restrictions that may impact you or your loved one.

The most common side effects of EPIDIOLEX include increase in liver enzymes, sleepiness, decreased appetite, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, feeling very tired and weak, rash, sleep problems, and infections.

Talk to your doctor about any side effects you may experience. They could have strategies to help you manage them.

When your doctor prescribes EPIDIOLEX, he or she will submit the prescription to the specialty pharmacy that works with your insurance to determine coverage under your specific insurance plan.^*

^*Jazz Pharmaceuticals cannot guarantee coverage of EPIDIOLEX or payment of insurance claims.

For information on the EPIDIOLEX® Copay Savings Program, click here.

For information on comprehensive support programs to help with access and affordability for eligible patients taking EPIDIOLEX, including the EPIDIOLEX^® Copay Savings Program, visit the JazzCares website here.