Use of cannabinoids in intensive care needs ‘further exploration’ – study

A new study is the first to explore the role of cannabinoids in treating critically ill patients, with doctors calling for further research in this area.

For the first time researchers have explored the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in critically ill patients in intensive care.

The study surveyed over 650 physicians working in intensive care units (ICUs) throughout Germany, to try to understand whether cannabinoids had been administered to critically ill patients in recent years and how often this was the case.

In total, nine doctors at Hannover Medical School and 59 physicians from ICUs across Germany participated.

Six out of eight physicians at Hannover Medical School, and 16 out of 59 ICU physicians had used cannabinoids in some patients during the two years studied.

A synthetic form of THC, dronabinol, a drug largely used to treat nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients, was the most commonly used cannabinoid, administered in doses between 1- 20mg.

However, the research showed that this was used ‘relatively few times’, with the most common reasons being for metabolic and psychological distress and to save medication, followed by pain and nausea and/or vomiting.

There were no ‘relevant safety issues’ identified, but doctors cited a number of reservations around the use of cannabinoids, including a ‘lack of personal experience’, ‘limited evidence’ and knowledge gaps.

The majority of physicians said there was a need for further research into the potential role of cannabinoids and critical care.

The authors say: “In the course of the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic purposes in Germany, there has been growing interest in the medical use of cannabinoids. To date, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of critically ill patients has not been explored.

“During a 2-year period, dronabinol is used in a few critically ill patients in ICUs…The majority of participating physicians indicated that the use of cannabinoids in the context of critical care medicine needs further exploration.”

You can access the study here