Taking your medication

Your doctor may have explained some of the following to you when you first discussed taking Epidyolex, however please read the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the pack before you start to take this medicine.

This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Before you take Epidyolex

Do not take Epidyolex if you are allergic to cannabidiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine, including: refined sesame oil, alcohol, sucralose (E955) and strawberry flavour (including benzyl alcohol).

Talk to your doctor before or during your treatment with Epidyolex if you have had or currently have liver problems, as Epidyolex may make this worse. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking Epidyolex and during treatment. If your liver is not working properly, your treatment may need to be stopped.

Taking with food and drink

Always take your medicine according to your doctor’s instructions. Taking Epidyolex with food can increase the amount of drug your body takes in. You should try, as much as possible, to take Epidyolex consistently with respect to food (for example, with a meal or within a certain time-span of a meal). Also, try to take Epidyolex at about the same times each day so you get the same effect each time. Epidyolex is compatible with the ketogenic diet.
With other medicines
Epidyolex can interact with some other medicines, which can affect the way it works. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Other antiepileptic medicines, such as clobazam, valproate, phenytoin, midazolam, stiripentol and carbamazepine
- Medicines used to treat the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn, such as omeprazole
- St. John’s Wort (hypericum) - a herbal medicine used to treat mild anxiety
- Medicines to treat bacterial infections, such as rifampin, clarithromycin and erythromycin
This list is not exhaustive, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for all medicines that you need to tell you doctor if you are taking.
Allergy information

Do not take Epidyolex if you are allergic to cannabidiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Epidyolex contains refined sesame oil, which may rarely cause severe allergic reactions.

If you have any further questions after reading the information on this page, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet included in the Epidyolex box.

How to take Epidyolex

Watch the video or follow the 10 easy steps below:

The 10 easy steps

Step one

Open the bag containing the correct oral syringe to measure your dose.

Step two

Remove the child-resistant cap on the bottle by pushing the cap down whilst turning the cap anti-clockwise.

Step three

Push the bottle adaptor firmly into the neck of the bottle, and make sure it is fully inserted. The adaptor could come off and cause choking if it is not fully inserted.

Step four

Insert the tip of the correct oral syringe fully into the bottle adaptor, and with the oral syringe in place, turn the bottle upside down.

Step five

Slowly pull back the plunger of the syringe, so the volume (number of ml) of solution needed is drawn into the syringe. Line up the end of the plunger with the volume marking required as shown above.

If there is an air bubble in the syringe, push the liquid back into the bottle whilst keeping the bottle upside down and repeat Step 5 until the bubble has gone.

Step six

Turn the bottle the right side up, and carefully remove the oral syringe from the adaptor.

Step seven

Place the tip of the oral syringe inside the cheek, and gently push the plunger to release the medicine. Do not push the plunger forcefully or direct the medicine to the back of the mouth or throat.

If the dose is more than 5 ml, repeat steps 4 to 7 to give the remaining dose using the 5 ml oral syringe.

Step eight

Screw the child resistant cap back on the bottle tightly, by turning the cap clockwise - you do not need to remove the bottle adaptor, as the cap will fit over it.

Step nine

Fill a cup with warm soapy water and clean the oral syringe by drawing water in and out using the plunger.

Step ten

Remove the plunger from the barrel of the syringe, and rinse both parts under tap water. Do not place the oral syringe in a dishwasher.

Shake off any water from both parts and allow them to dry in the air until the next use. Make sure the oral syringe is completely dry before the next use, or it could make the solution appear cloudy if water gets in the bottle.

If the solution is in the bottle has turned cloudy, this doesn't change how well it works. Continue to use the medicine as normal.

Things to remember

Each pack comes with two syringe sizes, make sure you use the correct one for your dose, as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not push the plunger forcefully or direct the medicine to the back of your mouth or throat, as you may choke on the medicine.

You should not try to remove the bottle adaptor, as the cap will fit over it.

Cleaning your syringe

Cleaning the syringes after use is very simple and should be done by hand. The oral syringes supplied with Epidyolex are not dishwasher safe.

Wash with warm soapy water. Do not wash in dishwasher.
Rinse thoroughly with water.
Shake off any water, and allow to air dry.

If the solution turns cloudy

Make sure the oral syringe is completely dry before next use. If water does get in the bottle it could make the solution appear cloudy. If this does happen, it will not change how well the medicine works or cause any harm. Continue to use the medicine as normal.

References

1. Epidyolex Summary of Product Characteristics (Date accessed: April 2021).

2. Epidyolex Patient Information Leaflet Date accessed: April 2021).