Cannabis effective at relieving pain after major surgery

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Cannabis effective at relieving pain after major surgery

Published: Wednesday, 17-May-2006
Medical Studies/Trials

A cannabis plant extract provides pain relief for patients after major surgery such as knee replacements, a study by Imperial College London (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/) and the Medical Research Council (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/) has shown.

Details of a trial published today in Anesthesiology shows how effective Cannador, a cannabis plant extract, is at managing post-operative pain.
Dr Anita Holdcroft, from Imperial College London, and lead researcher said: "Pain after surgery continues to be a problem because many of the commonly used drugs are either ineffective or have too many side effects. These results show that cannabinoids are effective, and may lead to the development of a wider range of drugs to manage postoperative pain."
The researchers tested Cannador on 65 patients who had previously undergone surgery. 11 patients received a 5mg dose, 30 received a 10mg dose, and 24 received a 15mg dose. While all patients who received a 5mg dose requested additional pain relief, only 15 of those who received the 10mg dose and 6 of those on the 15mg dose did so.
As the dose increased, patients reported decreasing pain intensity and increasing side effects. Side effects included increasing nausea and increased heart rate in some patients.
Professor Mervyn Maze from Imperial College London, and one of the researchers, added: "We thought cannabis might be beneficial in helping manage pain following surgery, as previous research indicated cannabinoids help 'top up' the body's natural system for reducing pain sensation. This research proves it can be effective, with minimal side effects at low


for the entire article link:
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=17995

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Science: Most pain patients gain benefit from cannabis in a British study


Seven out of 10 patients involved in a research project looking at the pain relieving properties of cannabis at the Jame Paget Hospital in Norfolk (UK) have been helped by cannabis, a doctor said on 8 December. The trial had been approved in April 2000.
Dr. William Notcutt, who is heading the clinical study, said results had been "very acceptable". "Between 70 and 80% of patients so far have gained some benefit."

"That's actually very good results for people with long-standing pain, although not all the benefits are in the relief of pain but in the quality of life." He added: "If you are dealing with people with chronic pain and you find something that benefits 30% of patients then you are doing well."
Patients take different cannabis-based medicines using devices that spray cannabis under the tongue.
(Source: PA News of 8 December 2000)