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The efficacy of cannabinoids in treatment of chronic abdominal pain is unclear. In the current phase II study, 65 patients were randomized to receive delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral tablet form or placebo for relief of chronic abdominal pain following surgery or from chronic pancreatitis. The THC dosage was 3 mg three times daily for 5 days, followed by 5 mg three times daily for 5 days, and then a stable dose of 8 mg three times daily until day 50–52.
Using scores on a visual analog scale, there was no difference in pain relief at 50–52 days between THC and placebo.
de Vries M et al. Tetrahydrocannabinol does not reduce pain in patients with chronic abdominal pain in a phase 2 placebo-controlled study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016 Oct 5; [e-pub]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2016.09.147)
Comment
THC may have benefit in some pain syndromes, but this exploratory study found no benefit in chronic abdominal pain.