Opioid Reduction
Study register · detail Beobachtungsstudie (Querschnitt) · Opioid Reduction · 2017

Substitution of medical cannabis for pharmaceutical agents for pain, anxiety, and sleep

Mixed GRADE Low 191 citations
Samplen = 1.513 Pat.
EndpointSelf-reported medication…
Blindingn.a.
DesignBeobachtungsstudie (Querschnitt)
Cannabinoidvollspektrum
Key finding

Most patients reduced opioids as well as anti-anxiety, migraine and sleep medication after starting medical cannabis use, while antidepressants and alcohol were substituted less frequently.

Summary

Cross-sectional survey among members of a New England dispensary (n=1.513) on the substitution of MC for pharmaceutical agents. Of regular opioid users, 76.7% reported reduction since MC initiation (significantly greater than antidepressants 37.6% or alcohol 42.0%, p<0.0001). About two-thirds reduced anti-anxiety medication (71.8%), migraine medication (66.7%) and sleep medication (65.2%) after MC initiation (p<0.0001 vs. antidepressants/alcohol).

P
PopulationAdult members of medical cannabis dispensaries in New England (USA), n=1.513
I
InterventionMedical cannabis (self-reported, naturalistic)
O
Outcome76,7% of regular opioid users reduced opioid use after MC initiation; 71,8% reduced anxiolytics, 66,7% migraine medication, 65,2% sleep medication; reduction of antidepressants (37,6%) and alcohol (42,0%) significantly lower (p<0,0001)
Confidence in the evidence
Low

The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.

Quality profile
Sample size
Blinding
Effect size Mixed
Citations / year
Authors
Piper B J, DeKeuster R M, Beals M L et al.
DOI 10.1177/0269881117699616
Design: Beobachtungsstudie (Querschnitt)
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