Cannabidiol - medical administration, adverse effects and toxicity
The official approval of CBD for the treatment of certain diseases like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome has significantly effected the lives of patients and their families. But knowing the administration ways, dosing and side effects have a key importance. CBD for medical use is always started at lower doses and titrated up to clinical levels, usually via oral preparation. Starting 2 years and older, the first dose should be not more than 2.5 mg/kg orally twice a day. It is continued for a week and increased to 5 mg/kg twice a day if tolerated well. 10-20 mg/kg/day is the maintenance dose. Talking about adverse effects, CBD can cause liver damage. Therefore patients with hepatic impairment should be closely monitored. Reports of somnolence, sedation and respiratory depression are among other side effects that have been occasionally reported.