Single dose delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in chronic pancreatitis patients: analgesic efficacy, pharmacokinetics and tolerability.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy, pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety of a single dose of Δ9-THC in patients with chronic abdominal pain resulting from chronic pancreatitis (CP).


METHODS
This was a randomized, single dose, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two way crossover study in patients suffering from abdominal pain as result of CP (n = 24), post hoc subdivided into opioid and non-opioid users. Δ9-THC (8 mg) or active placebo (5 mg/10 mg diazepam) was administered orally in a double dummy design.


RESULTS
No treatment effect was shown for delta VAS pain scores after Δ9-THC compared with diazepam. Δ9-THC was well absorbed with a mean tmax of 123 min. No significant differences were found between Δ9-THC vs. diazepam for alertness, mood, calmness or balance. Feeling anxious and heart rate were significantly increased after Δ9-THC compared with diazepam. The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) after Δ9-THC administration were somnolence, dry mouth, dizziness and euphoric mood.


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of Δ9-THC was not efficacious in reducing chronic pain resulting from CP, but was well tolerated with only mild or moderate AEs. The PK results in CP patients showed delayed absorption and an increased variability compared with healthy volunteers.
Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
Marjan
M
de Vries
Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
Dagmar C M
DC
Van Rijckevorsel
Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Kris C P
KC
Vissers
Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|Centre for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Department of Health Sciences, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Oliver H G
OH
Wilder-Smith
Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
Harry
H
Van Goor
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D065731:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 / Q000235:genetics; D065729:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 / Q000235:genetics; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D013759:Dronabinol; D065729:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9; D065731:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19; D003975:Diazepam
THC; chronic pain; chronic pancreatitis; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; dronabinol