Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .
Tetrahydrocannabinol Does Not Reduce Pain in Patients With Chronic Abdominal Pain in a Phase 2 Placebo‐controlled Study
BACKGROUND & AIMS Delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) is the most abundant cannabinoid from the plant Cannabis sativa . There is only equivocal evidence that THC has analgesic effects . We performed a phase 2 controlled trial to evaluate the analgesic efficacy , pharmacokinetics , safety , and tolerability of an oral tablet containing purified THC in patients with chronic abdominal pain . METHODS Sixty‐five patients with chronic abdominal pain for 3 months or more ( numeric rating scale scores of 3 or more ) after surgery or because of chronic pancreatitis were r and omly assigned to groups given the THC tablet or identical matching placebos for 50–52 days . Subjects in the THC group were given the tablet first in a step‐up phase ( 3 mg 3 times daily for 5 days and then 5 mg 3 times daily for 5 days ) , followed by a stable dose phase ( 8 mg 3 times daily until days 50–52 ) . Preceding and during the entire study period , patients were asked to continue taking their medications ( including analgesics ) according to prescription . Patients reported any additional pain medications in a diary . Efficacy and safety assessment s were conducted preceding medication intake ( day 1 ) , after 15 days , and at 50–52 days . Plasma sample s were collected on study days 1 , 15 , and 50–52 ; mean plasma concentration curves of THC and 11‐OH‐THC were plotted . The primary end point was pain relief , which was measured by a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) of the mean pain ( VAS mean scores ) on the basis of information from patient diaries . Secondary end points included pain and quality of life ( determined from patient question naires ) , pharmacokinetics , and safety . RESULTS At days 50–52 , VAS mean scores did not differ significantly between the THC and placebo groups ( F1,46 = 0.016 ; P = .901 ) . Between the start and end of the study , VAS mean scores decreased by 1.6 points ( 40 % ) in the THC group compared with 1.9 points ( 37 % ) in the placebo group . No differences were observed in secondary outcomes . Oral THC was generally well‐absorbed . Seven patients in the THC group stopped taking the tablets because of adverse events , compared with 2 patients in the placebo group . All ( possibly ) related adverse events were mild or moderate . CONCLUSIONS In a phase 2 study , we found no difference between a THC tablet and a placebo tablet in reducing pain measures in patients with chronic abdominal pain . THC , administered 3 times daily , was safe and well‐tolerated during a 50‐day to 52‐day treatment period . Clinical Trials.gov number : NCT01562483 and NCT01551511
Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .