Medical cannabis may offer significant benefits in the treatment of nerve pain in underlying conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes, according to a review of existing evidence regarding its clinical efficacy and safety.
A finding by the Health Research Board (HRB) could lead to the expansion of existing medical cannabis access programs to include the treatment of neuropathic or neuralgia conditions.
The study found evidence to support the prescription of medical cannabis for conditions already approved in Ireland, including nausea and vomiting in cancer and spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
According to HRB, “There was also evidence that it also has significant effects on neuropathic pain and nerve pain, which can occur due to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries.”
For other conditions, including anxiety and pain, such as cancer, rheumatic diseases, and fibromyalgia, no conclusive evidence was found to confirm the effectiveness of prescribed medical cannabis.
Regarding safety, we found that although serious side effects do not seem to be common, there is some evidence of side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, sedation, and headache. “However, we found mixed evidence regarding the potential for other adverse events, such as drowsiness, nausea, and psychiatric adverse events.”
This study was conducted to inform the Department of Health's ongoing review of the current Medical Cannabis Access Program (MCAP).
The Department of Health established MCAP in 2019 following a campaign by parents in Ireland who were unable to access medical cannabis for their sick children. This allows consultants to prescribe cannabis-based treatments for a small number of conditions where patients have not responded to standard treatments. Symptoms include spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and severe refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
The HRB review only looked at studies in adults, so it did not evaluate the use of medical cannabis to treat children with severe epilepsy.
HRB chief executive Dr Mairead O'Driscoll said it was essential that health policy decisions were based on the latest evidence, “including in areas where existing research is underdeveloped” and that robust conclusions were drawn. said.
“Carrying out this type of review over time allows the HRB to continue to provide policymakers with evidence to inform decision-making as research develops.”
Lead author Dr. Kathryn Lambe said the review found that “some evidence supports the use of medical cannabis for conditions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and the management of neuropathic pain.” ”. “But for most other results, the results were inconsistent at best.”
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