Study register · detailRetrospektive Beobachtungsstudie · Anxiety Disorders · 2019
Reduction of Benzodiazepine Use in Patients Prescribed Medical Cannabis
Purcell et al.·Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchImpact 2.5
Clear benefitGRADELow54 citations
Samplen = 146 Pat.
Durationaverage of 6 months
EndpointBenzodiazepine…
Blindingn.a.
DesignRetrospektive Beobachtungsstudie
Cannabinoidvollspektrum
”Key finding
45,2% of patients successfully discontinued benzodiazepines, with a stable abstinence rate over an average of 6 months.
Summary
n=146 medical cannabis patients (Ø 47 years, 61% female) with prior benzodiazepine medication. After an average of 2 months of cannabis therapy, 30,1% had discontinued benzodiazepines; after three prescription cycles (Ø 6 months) a total of 45,2% (n=66) had permanently discontinued. Indirect evidence for anxiolytic effect via benzodiazepine substitution.
P
PopulationAdult patients of a medical cannabis clinic with benzodiazepine use at treatment start, n=146, average age 47 years, 61% female
I
InterventionPrescribed medical cannabis (clinic program, Canabo Medical), on average 3 prescription courses over approx. 6 months
O
OutcomeAfter an average of 2 months (1st prescription), 30,1% had discontinued benzodiazepines; after 2 prescriptions 44,5% (n=65); after 3 prescriptions 45,2% (n=66) — stable discontinuation rate over approx. 6 months
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Low
The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.
Background: Benzodiazepines are a class of medication with sedative properties, commonly used for anxiety and other neurological conditions. These medications are associated with several well-known adverse effects. This observational study aims to investigate the reduction of benzodiazepine use in patients using prescribed medical cannabis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 146 medical cannabis patients (average age 47 years, 61% female, 54% reporting prior use of cannabis) who reported benzodiazepine use at initiation of cannabis therapy. These data are a part of a database gathered by a medical cannabis clinic (Canabo Medical). Descriptive statistics were used to quantify associations of the proportion of benzodiazepine use with time on medical cannabis therapy. Results: After completing an average 2-month prescription course of medical cannabis, 30.1% of patients had discontinued benzodiazepines. At a follow-up after two prescriptions, 65 total patients (44.5%) had discontinued benzodiazepines. At the final follow-up period after three medical cannabis prescription courses, 66 total patients (45.2%) had discontinued benzodiazepine use, showing a stable cessation rate over an average of 6 months. Conclusion: Within a cohort of 146 patients initiated on medical cannabis therapy, 45.2% patients successfully discontinued their pre-existing benzodiazepine therapy. This observation merits further investigation into the risks and benefits of the therapeutic use of medical cannabis and its role relating to benzodiazepine use.