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Epidyolex

Published
Product name
Epidyolex
Active ingredient
Cannabidiol
Submission type
New chemical entity
Decision
Approved
Decision date
Registration date
What this medicine was approved for

Epidyolex (cannabidiol) was approved for the following therapeutic use:

Epidyolex is indicated for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS) for patients 2 years of age and older.

How this medicine works

The precise mechanisms by which cannabidiol exerts its anticonvulsant effects in humans are unknown. Cannabidiol does not exert its anticonvulsant effect through interaction with cannabinoid receptors. Cannabidiol reduces neuronal hyper-excitability through modulation of intracellular calcium via G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) channels, as well as modulation of adenosine-mediated signalling through inhibition of adenosine cellular uptake via the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT-1).

Why the TGA approved or did not approve this medicine

The decision was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), nonclinical (pharmacology and toxicology), clinical (pharmacology, safety and efficacy) and risk management plan information submitted by the sponsor. The benefit-risk profile of Epidyolex was considered favourable for the therapeutic use approved.