Who
cannabis
WHO
PATIENTS AND MEDICINAL CANNABIS
The idea of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of a medical condition could begin with a patient. Learn more about how medicinal cannabis could be a possible option for the treatment of some patients.
Why do we need medicinal cannabis with all the existing therapies available?
According to the local rules and regulations applicable in Europe, medicinal cannabis should only be used in patients where the available standard of care does not provide sufficient symptom relief or side-effects are not tolerable by the patient. Therefore, medicinal cannabis should be used in refractory patients that need to improve their symptom control and quality of life. The therapeutic indications where medicinal cannabis is mostly used still have a high unmet medical need, according to the present epidemiology. 1 Medicinal cannabis can be an important add-on therapy in cases where the quality of life of patients is severely affected and where no further solutions exist, especially considering it may serve to control multiple symptoms using complementary pharmacological actions.
Why would physicians prescribe medicinal cannabis instead of dronabinol?
Dronabinol, or any product containing purified THC, can be a good therapeutic option in cases where it may be illegible. Nevertheless, with medicinal cannabis physicians can cover a broader scope of patient needs because of the availability of products with different THC/CBD concentrations, and with different pharmaceutical forms, which may be more suitable for a particular patient need. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that the pharmacological action of CBD may be complementary to THC, and that it can ameliorate some of the side effects of THC. 1-3
Why would physicians prescribe medicinal cannabis instead of approved products like nabiximols (Sativex
According to the local rules and regulations applicable in Europe, medicinal cannabis should only be used in patients where the available standard of care does not provide sufficient symptom relief or side-effects are not tolerable by the patient. Therefore, they should be used in refractory patients when approved medicines could not provide the desired therapeutic effect. With medicinal cannabis, physicians can cover a broader scope of patient needs because of the availability of products with different THC/CBD concentrations and with different pharmaceutical forms, which may be more suitable for a particular patient need. 1
Who is the right patient for medicinal cannabis?
According to the local rules and regulations applicable in Europe, medicinal cannabis should only be used in patients where the available standard of care does not provide sufficient symptom relief or side-effects are not tolerable by the patient. For the proper selection of patients suitable for medicinal cannabis, attention should be taken to the contraindications of the main two cannabinoids present in these products (THC and/or CBD). 1 For additional information about contraindications and patient selection, please review the WHICH: RISKS OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS section of this website.
What are the main indications for medicinal cannabis?
The main indications of medicinal cannabis vary from country to country according to the local legislation and to the pharmacological action of the two main cannabinoids (THC and/or CBD). For information about the main indications for medicinal cannabis in certain countries, please follow the links below:
- For Portugal, please click here
- For Germany, please click here
- For France, please click here
To learn about the various possible therapeutic areas in which there is evidence for the benefit of medicinal cannabis, please review the WHY: EVIDENCE FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS section of this website.
Are there any robust clinical trials with medicinal cannabis?
Depending on the therapeutic area, the clinical evidence of medicinal cannabis may vary. 4 For the most commonly used indications, like chronic pain, spasticity related to MS, refractory epilepsy, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting and appetite stimulation in wasting syndromes, the existing evidence supports the use of medicinal cannabis in refractory patients. Several medical and scientific organization have already recommended cannabinoid-based medicinal products for certain therapeutic indications.5-9 To learn about the various possible therapeutic areas in which there is evidence for the benefit of medicinal cannabis, please review the WHY: EVIDENCE FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS section of this website.
What is the boundary between therapeutic and recreational use?
There is a big distinction between medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. The medicinal use of cannabis covers unmet medical needs by relying on the pharmacological action of cannabinoids, for therapeutic areas where literature supports their use. The overview and supervision of the treating physician, the intent of use, and the quantities usually needed, make a significant distinction between the medicinal and the recreational use of cannabis.
To learn more about the pharmacological action of cannabinoids, please review the WHAT: ABOUT MEDICINAL CANNABIS section of this website. Also, to learn about the various possible therapeutic areas in which there is evidence for the benefit of medicinal cannabis, please review the WHY: EVIDENCE FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS section of this website.
Is medicinal cannabis reimbursed by insurance in my country?
The rules regarding the reimbursement of medicinal cannabis by insurance may be different in each country. For information about the rules regarding the reimbursement of medicinal cannabis by insurance in certain countries, please follow the links below:
