Effects of cannabidiol on brivaracetam plasma levels. (18th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klotz, Kerstin A.; Hirsch, Martin; Heers, Marcel; Schulze‐Bonhage, Andreas; Jacobs, Julia
• Is Part Of: Epilepsia. Volume 60:issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: e74
• Page End: e77
• Publication Date: 2019-06-18
• Subjects: adverse event -- epilepsy -- plasma level -- seizure; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1111/epi.16071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9580

Abstract

Abstract: The use of cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsies is increasing. CBD is metabolized via UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and cytochrome 450 (CYP) enzymes, but information on interactions with common anticonvulsive drugs is incomplete. We report a case series of five patients receiving adjunctive treatment with CBD who showed increases in brivaracetam (BRV) levels by 95% to 280%. Only two patients reported mild adverse events, leading to a reduction of BRV in one patient. One possible mechanism contributing at least partially to increasing BRV level is the inhibition of CYP2C19 by cannabidiol. Further pharmacokinetic studies are required to understand other possible mechanisms of brivaracetam‐cannabidiol interaction.