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Many people living with epilepsy are curious about medicinal cannabis and its use in treating epilepsy. As there are no registered cannabis-based medicines currently listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for epilepsy, applications need to be made via the TGA Special Access Scheme. Before you embark on this journey, it may be worth doing a self-assessment to see if you would be considered a candidate, at this point in time, to seek a prescription for medicinal cannabis to treat your seizures.
Q.1
Are you an Australian resident?
At this point in time you are not eligible for an Australian doctor to prescribe a prescribed medicinal cannabis product.
Q.2
Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy?
It is too early in your path to a diagnosis to be considered for a prescribed medicinal cannabis product.
Q.3
How many different medications are you currently taking to manage your epilepsy?
Go in any Condition
Q.4
How many different medications have you trialled and failed since you were diagnosed with epilepsy?
The Therapeutic Administration Guidance suggests trialling and failing a minimum of 4-5 antiepileptic medications before being considered for a prescribed medicinal cannabis product.
Q.5
Please select the description that best fits your type of seizure/s.
Please discuss with your treating doctor if medicinal cannabis is a treatment option for you
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
If this is the only type of seizure activity you experience you would not be considered for a prescribed medicinal cannabis product at this point in time.
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
If this is the only type of seizure activity you experience you would not be considered for a prescribed medicinal cannabis product, at this point in time, – if you experience frequent atypical absence seizures please discuss with your treating doctor.
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
If this is the only type of seizure activity you experience you would not be considered for a prescribed medicinal cannabis product, at this point in time, – if you experience frequent atypical absence seizures please discuss with your treating doctor.
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
Go in any Condition.
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
Go in any Condition.
Is this the only seizure type you experience?
Go in any Condition.
Q.6
Has your doctor stated that you have medication resistant epilepsy or intractable epilepsy?
Medicinal cannabis is generally only perscribed to a patient who is considered to have medication resistant or intractable epilpesy.
Q.7
Are you currently, or planning to be, pregnant or breastfeeding?
Safety of prescribed medicinal cannabis products have not been tested in pregnant or breastfeeding women, at this point in time, so you would not be considered a candidate.
Q.8
Do you currently experience, or have a history of severe and unstable cardio-pulmonary disease?
A history of severe and unstable cardio-pulmonary disease is contra-indicated for prescribed medicinal cannabis at this point in time.
You may be considered a candidate for a cannabis-based therapy. The first step is to ask the question of your treating doctors to open the conversation. You can assist your doctor with the application process by completing the Epilepsy History Form.
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