Opioid Reduction in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Undergoing Treatment with Medicinal Cannabis

Patients with chronic non-cancer pain who received medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment regimen showed a significant reduction in opioid consumption over a one-year period, according to a study published in the Journal of Pain Management. The study, conducted by researchers at the Perth Pain Management Centre in Australia, found that patients who received medicinal cannabis had a median opioid dose of 2.7 mg/day, compared to 42.3 mg/day for those who received only opioids. However, the study also noted that this treatment was tolerated by only a subgroup of patients.

Key Takeaways:

• The study involved two cohorts: one cohort (n=102) received cannabinoids in addition to opioids, while the other cohort (n=53) received only opioids.
• The median opioid consumption at baseline was 40 mg/day in both cohorts.
• At 12 months, the median opioid consumption had decreased significantly in the cohort receiving cannabinoids, with a final median dose of 2.7 mg/day.
• In contrast, the median opioid consumption in the cohort receiving only opioids remained high at 42.3 mg/day.
• 46 patients in the cohort receiving cannabinoids dropped out of the study compared to only one patient in the cohort receiving only opioids.
• The study found that medicinal cannabis was effective in reducing opioid consumption in a subgroup of patients.

Statistics:

• Median opioid consumption at baseline: 40 mg/day in both cohorts.
• Median opioid consumption at 12 months: 2.7 mg/day in the cohort receiving cannabinoids, compared to 42.3 mg/day in the cohort receiving only opioids.
• Number of patients who dropped out of the study: 46 in the cohort receiving cannabinoids, compared to 1 in the cohort receiving only opioids.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Findings from Perth Pain Management Centre Provides New Data about Opioids (Opioid reduction in patients with chronic non-cancer pain undergoing treatment with medicinal cannabis). Cancer Weekly. August 26, 2025; p 1213.
• Opioid reduction in patients with chronic non-cancer pain undergoing treatment with medicinal cannabis. Pain Management, 2025:1-9. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Pain Management - www.journals.elsevier.com/pain-management-nursing/)