The FDA on Monday approved the first prescription drug derived from marijuana.
Epidiolex is the name of the new drug that will come in a syrup form.
It’s made from a purified ingredient in cannabis called CBD oil.
It’s intended to treat severe seizures in children caused by two rare forms of epilepsy.
Carlos Quesada is CCO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California based in Oakland.
He said there are thousands of parents with children having daily seizures who want all medical treatments explored, even those involving cannabis.
“Well from our point of view any new options that can become a tool for a doctor to stop a seizure is always welcome if we can stop one child from stopping a seizure because of a new option that is good news,” said Quesada.
He says the Epilepsy Foundation has parents here asking all the time if CBD oil, derived from marijuana, could help their kids.
There have been several national news stories about parents exploring the treatment and it’s worked.
But until now, it’s been illegal.
Quesada says anyone trying this treatment needs to make sure it’s under a doctor’s watch.
“As long as these new options are managed and watched by a respected neurologist or epileptologist, then these options could be good,” he said.
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