According to information from a new study conducted by a British drug company, Cannabis may prove to be a good treatment alternative for people suffering from epilepsy. It turns out that a compound that exists in cannabis may just replace drugs like Topamax in treating the condition. This is according to clinical trials that are working on mice.
GW Pharmaceuticals stated recently that human clinical trials that use cannabidivarin (CBDV) may begin as early as 2013, once scientists at the University of Reading show that the chemical might be used as an anticonvulsant. Current anticonvulsant medications like Topamax have proven to be dangerous to babies born to mothers who take the drug while pregnant. Some of those babies exposed to Topamax in-utero are born with birth defects, including PPHN, oral clefts, spina bifida, neural tube defects and heart, lung and brain defects. Other epilepsy treatment drugs are just as dangerous and may pose side effects that are similar in dangers or worse.
Despite what many readers may think, CBDV is one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids that the cannabis plant possesses. It also does cause the “high” feeling that cannabis is often associated with. In this new clinical tests conducted by Ben Whalley and his colleagues at Reading, the mice and rats in the study that received the cannabis treatment had smaller intensity attacks than those rats and mice given placebos. CBDV also worked when it was combined with other treatment drugs that are already being used. There was no mention if Topamax was one of those drugs the CBDV was compared to.
If your baby was born with birth defects after in-utero exposure to Topamax, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injuries.