Medical Cannabis for Paediatric Care
Medical cannabis for children is a sensitive and carefully regulated area. In the UK, cannabis-based medicines can be prescribed for children with certain conditions, most notably treatment-resistant epilepsy, under the supervision of specialist paediatric neurologists.
Conditions in Children
The most well-established use of medical cannabis in children is for severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy syndromes such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Epidyolex (cannabidiol) is a licensed medicine specifically approved for these conditions.
- Treatment-resistant epilepsy (Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)
- Severe spasticity in conditions such as cerebral palsy
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea in paediatric cancer patients
Important Considerations
Paediatric prescriptions for medical cannabis are subject to strict oversight and require specialist involvement. CPGUK can help families understand the process and connect with appropriate specialists.