New Australian research confirms similar findings from other studies and suggests that the use of cannabis in conjunction with opioids may help reduce their prescription. It’s not right for everyone.
When prescribed to treat chronic or severe pain, opioids can be addictive and lead to overdose death due their effects on the respiratory system.
Australian research involved patients with non-cancer chronic pain. In one pain clinic, 102 patients were co-prescribed cannabis and in another pain clinic near by 53 patients received opioids only.
Median opioid consumption at the start of the study was 40 mg/day in both groups. Medicinal cannabis in the form of oil was administered to the first group, usually starting at 2.5 mg/day. It would have been considered a low dosage, but was adjusted to maximise benefits. At the 12-month mark, the median medical cannabis dose contained 15 mg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 15 mg cannabidiol (CBD).
The opioid intake of the two groups was assessed again after 12 months. Opioid consumption had decreased significantly in the medical cannabis group, the final median opioid dose being 2.7 mg/day compared to 42.3 mg/day in the control group. The medical cannabis group also saw an improvement in sleep and physical activity.
The fact that only 1 out 53 control cases was able to use medical marijuana due to side effects and lack of efficacy is important.
The authors state that “the introduction of cannabinoids in real-world situations can result in useful reductions in opiate consumption, as well as additional benefits in disability and insomnia.” The treatment, however, is only tolerated by a certain subgroup of people.
Although not specifically mentioned, it is possible that some patients dropped out of school could have benefitted from using other forms of medical cannabis. The oil can be much slower to act than traditional opioid medications.
Authored by researchers from Murdoch University and other institutions/agencies in Western Australia, the article has been published Pain Management is a journal that focuses on pain management.
Researchers have added to a body of research that suggests medical marijuana can help reduce the use of prescription opioids. In fact, some patients may be able stop taking them altogether and still maintain a good quality of living.