There was an increased risk of non-serious AEs with cannabinoids compared with placebo .
Conclusions There was moderate evidence to support cannabinoids in treating chronic , non-cancer pain at 2 weeks .
Similar results were observed at later time points , but the confidence in effect is low .
There is little evidence that cannabinoids increase the risk of experiencing serious AEs , although non-serious AEs may be common in the short-term period following use
Background For patients with chronic , non-cancer pain , traditional pain-relieving medications include opioids , which have shown benefits but are associated with increased risks of addiction and adverse effects .
Medical cannabis has emerged as a treatment alternative for managing these patients and there has been a rise in the number of r and omized clinical trials in recent years ; therefore , a systematic review of the evidence was warranted .
Objective To analyze the evidence surrounding the benefits and harms of medical cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic , non-cancer-related pain .
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for cramps in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomised, double-blind crossover trial
Background Many patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) experience cramps during the course of the disease but so far , none of the medications used has been of proven benefit . The objective was to determine the effect of orally administered tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) on cramps in ALS patients . Methods The authors conducted a r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled crossover trial in 27 ALS patients suffering from moderate to severe ( visual analogue scale ( VAS ) ; VAS≥4 ) daily cramps . There were 7 women and 20 men with a mean age of 57 years and a mean functional ALS score ( ALSFRS-R ) of 38.4 . Patients were r and omly assigned to receive 5 mg THC twice daily followed by placebo or vice versa . Each treatment period lasted for 2 weeks and was preceded by a 2-week drug-free observation period ( run-in , wash-out period respectively ) . The primary outcome measure was change in cramp intensity as assessed by a VAS . Secondary outcome measures included the number of cramps per day , number of cramps during daytime and bedtime , intensity of fasciculations ( VAS ) as well as vali date d measures of quality of life ( ALSAQ-40 ) , quality of sleep ( SDQ ) , appetite ( FAACT ) and depression ( HADS ) . Results Complete data were available from 22 patients . THC was well tolerated . There was no evidence for a treatment effect on cramp intensity , number of cramps , fasciculation intensity or any of the other secondary outcome measures . Conclusions This interventional study with orally administered THC 5 mg twice daily did not demonstrate subjective improvement of cramp intensity in ALS patients
There was an increased risk of non-serious AEs with cannabinoids compared with placebo .
Conclusions There was moderate evidence to support cannabinoids in treating chronic , non-cancer pain at 2 weeks .
Similar results were observed at later time points , but the confidence in effect is low .
There is little evidence that cannabinoids increase the risk of experiencing serious AEs , although non-serious AEs may be common in the short-term period following use
Background For patients with chronic , non-cancer pain , traditional pain-relieving medications include opioids , which have shown benefits but are associated with increased risks of addiction and adverse effects .
Medical cannabis has emerged as a treatment alternative for managing these patients and there has been a rise in the number of r and omized clinical trials in recent years ; therefore , a systematic review of the evidence was warranted .
Objective To analyze the evidence surrounding the benefits and harms of medical cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic , non-cancer-related pain .