633,000
people in the UK live with some form of epilepsy, with a further 600 diagnosed each week.
200,000
people have epilepsy that does not respond to conventional medications.
2
NHS clinical trials are investigating the potential for combined THC and CBD as medicines for drug-resistant (refractory) epilepsy.
9%
of 1,669 respondents to a Releaf patient survey were prescribed medical cannabis for neurological conditions, including epilepsy.
Symptoms
‘Rising’ feeling in the tummy
Becoming stiff or rigid
Collapsing
Experiencing ‘fits’ or uncontrollable shaking/jerking
Experiencing unusual tastes or smells
Loosing awareness of surroundings
Tingling sensation in arms or legs
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
When a person is diagnosed with epilepsy, they are usually prescribed anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) or anti-seizure medication (ASM) to help them manage their symptoms. In some cases, if they are not experiencing sufficient relief with these options, surgery may be considered to remove a small section of the brain, or insert an electrical device that can help control seizures.
Brivaracetam
Carbamazepine
Clobazam
Clonazepam
Lamotrigine
Levetiracetam
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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"Epilepsy involves recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity. Cannabidiol (CBD), a component of medicinal cannabis, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing seizure frequency in some patients, as evidenced by clinical trials, by modulating the endocannabinoid system."
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
12. 07. 2023
When applied as part of a tailored and managed treatment plan, medical cannabis has been shown to improve the overall control of epileptic seizures. In fact, it is the only non-pharmaceutical treatment option that has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England for two exceedingly rare forms of epilepsy.
12. 07. 2023
10. 02. 2024
International Epilepsy Day 2026 offers a timely look at epilepsy care in the UK. With over 630,000 people affected here in the UK, this guide explains how peoplle with epilepsy can legally acces medical cannabis treatment, along with seizure management research, and how legal frameworks continue to shape treatment options.
10. 02. 2024
14. 07. 2023
Neurological disorders. Varied, potentially devastating, and hard to group into one easy-to-digest category. They are essentially diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system conditions and include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, ALS, Bell's palsy, and a huge range of separate neuromuscular disorders.
14. 07. 2023
Yes, medical cannabis for epilepsy may be available for some patients in the UK. There are two primary pathways to this: the licensed, cannabidiol-based medication Epidyolex may be prescribed by the NHS for a small number of patients, both adults and children, with rare or drug-resistant forms of epilepsy.
Adult patients may engage with a private clinic to obtain a legal prescription for medical cannabis in various formats, but this won’t be Epidyolex. Medical cannabis contains more than just cannabidiol (CBD), the active ingredient in Epidyolex. There is some evidence that the additional compounds in medical cannabis may offer relief for symptoms associated with epilepsy, and the UK charity Epilepsy Action is currently campaigning for more research into products that contain both THC and CBD.
In the UK, medical cannabis for epilepsy and other neurological conditions has been legal since 2018, when prescribed under medical supervision. Releaf offers medical cannabis by prescription for eligible patients, and is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, as shown by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews.
Epidyolex is the only licensed cannabis-based medication for epilepsy in the UK. It is made with “purified” CBD, which means it must contain less than 0.1% THC. It’s usually taken orally, as a liquid, and for most people it will only be prescribed when a patient has already tried two different epilepsy medications that have failed to control or manage seizures.
A GP will not be able to prescribe Epidyolex. The prescription will come via a hospital-based doctor or other specialist.
Epilepsy cannabis treatments for UK patients aren’t necessarily limited to Epidyolex, though. Adult patients may be eligible for medical cannabis, which does not isolate CBD and contains multiple, potentially therapeutic compounds. If eligible, patients pay for their prescription themselves, as this medication is not available via the NHS. Patients also receive a UK medical cannabis card. This won’t stop the police from questioning someone about medical cannabis, but it immediately identifies the individual as a legal medical cannabis patient.
When discussing medical cannabis for seizure management, the conversation nearly always revolves around CBD. This is because it’s the active ingredient in Epidyolex, and enough research has been completed for this medication to receive licensing for use on the NHS, in a small number of cases.
Five studies of over 900 patients all indicate that the number of seizures is reduced after 14-16 weeks of treatment with Epidyolex. This is usually in conjunction with other epilepsy medicines. Some patients experienced up to a 64% drop in the frequency of seizures.
Medical cannabis for epilepsy treatment is rich in potentially therapeutic compounds, including 140+ cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are compounds thought to interact with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is linked to multiple aspects of health and wellness.
THC is a well-researched cannabinoid, known for its psychoactive effect that causes the “high” or intoxication associated with cannabis. THC binds to receptors in the ECS, which may offer a therapeutic effect on pain, sleep, and mood regulation, all aspects that explain why some charities are keen to investigate the potential benefits of THC for epilepsy.
The use of CBD for epilepsy is well-documented. Research suggests that CBD has a more supportive effect on the ECS, but it may also act on certain proteins associated with neuron excitability.
A consultant will carefully consider your current medication and treatment plan before deciding whether medical cannabis for epilepsy is the right choice for you. British National Formulary (BNF) guidelines do list some potential interactions between CBD (which is always present in medical cannabis) and certain epilepsy medications:
|
Epilepsy medication |
What it’s used for |
CBD for epilepsy: potential interactions |
|
Lorazepam |
Sometimes called Ativan, lorazepam is an anti-anxiety medication that may also be prescribed for sleeping disorders and convulsions or seizures. It may be prescribed as part of a more complex treatment, or used in emergency situations to deal with a severe seizure. |
Both CBD and lorazepam have a sedative effect on the central nervous system (CNS), so there is a possibility that taking both together could cause increased drowsiness or impact the ability to perform some tasks. High doses of either medication could lead to more severe effects, including unconsciousness. |
|
Phenytoin |
Phenytoin is taken as an anticonvulsant, and is thought to slow down impulses in the brain that may cause epileptic seizures. |
As well as both CBD and phenytoin affecting the CNS, phenytoin may stop the body absorbing as much CBD, meaning a patient’s dose might have to be adjusted. |
|
Valproate |
Sodium valproate is an anti-epileptic drug thought to decrease abnormal electrical activity in the brain. |
There are many contraindications with this medication, including people who cannot take it due to other underlying conditions, and several potential interactions with other medications. CBD is one of those medications, and taking both together could, potentially, cause liver stress. Valproate cannot be taken by anyone pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and may also affect male fertility. |
|
Omeprazole/esomeprazole |
Some people with epilepsy may be prescribed specialist medications for stomach acid or other gastroenterological issues. Poor gut health may be a trigger for seizures, and epilepsy may make some digestive problems and pain worse. |
The BNF notes that these types of antacids may increase the effect of CBD, but there are no official recommendations or studies connected to this information. |
If a consultant decides to prescribe medical cannabis treatments, UK epilepsy patients may receive it in one of the following formats:
Oils
Pastilles
Dried flower for vaporisers
If it fits alongside your existing treatment plan, you may be prescribed medical cannabis to help manage the following symptoms associated with epilepsy:
|
Epilepsy secondary symptom |
How symptom is linked to epilepsy |
How medical cannabis may help |
|
Abdominal epilepsy is one form of the condition that causes nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting, usually alongside seizures. However, many people with various forms of epilepsy experience digestive problems, from stomach acid to pain. |
Medical cannabis may have a potential anti-inflammatory action that could reduce the perception of pain. Research also suggests that CBD may reduce oxidative stress on the intestines. |
|
|
Anxiety is common in people with epilepsy, and sometimes the feelings of unease and fear can be mistaken for the onset of seizures. |
A review of research from 2025 suggests that 70% of studies on cannabis-based treatments and mood support treating anxiety with CBD or THC. |
|
|
One third of people with epilepsy are likely to develop depression. Depression may worsen the likelihood of seizures, so managing this condition is critical. |
A study from 2025 suggests that cannabis-based treatments may lead to sustained reductions in depression symptoms. |
|
|
Sleep disorders and epilepsy have a complex relationship. Poor sleep could make seizures more likely, and seizures can worsen sleep, leading to fatigue and other issues. |
A 2022 review of medical cannabis and sleep studies suggested, with “moderate certainty,” that medical cannabis may be linked to at least small improvements in sleep quality. |
Like all medications, medical cannabis treatments for epilepsy can cause some side effects. Nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness are common. Some people may experience mild confusion or loss of concentration. If nausea is a trigger for seizures, this could mean that the medication isn’t suitable.
As discussed, medication interactions are possible. Taking medicines at certain times of day may help manage potential interactions, such as drowsiness, but a consultant will discuss this with you.
Check your eligibility for medical cannabis for epilepsy in the UK by filling out the 30-second online form on the Releaf website.
How Releaf works: If you’re eligible, you can book a consultation with a specialist. They will carefully assess your seizure frequency, other symptoms, and the medication you’re currently taking. They’ll decide if medical cannabis is suitable for you, and then you can choose whether to go ahead and order a prescription.
To find out more about medical cannabis for epilepsy or other neurological conditions, contact our team. Or, if you’re ready to join the 240,000+ Releaf community, fill out the medical cannabis eligibility checker online.
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