A Pilot Study Found Dronabinol for Sickle Cell Pain Is Feasible and Safe
A small pilot trial showed that a controlled study of dronabinol for sickle cell disease pain is acceptable to patients and safe, though a crossover design compromised blinding.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 27 patients approached, 85% were interested. All enrolled participants completed all procedures. Dronabinol produced no serious adverse events. However, 100% correctly identified their assignment after the second period.
Key Numbers
27 approached, 23 (85%) interested, 13 (48%) consented, 6 (22%) enrolled. 100% protocol adherence. 0 serious adverse events.
How They Did This
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study. Six adults with sickle cell disease received dronabinol and placebo for two 2-week periods each.
Why This Research Matters
Many sickle cell patients already use cannabis for pain relief, but rigorous evidence is lacking. This pilot establishes that a controlled trial is feasible.
The Bigger Picture
Sickle cell disease causes severe chronic pain that is often undertreated. Cannabis-based treatments could offer an alternative pathway.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only 6 participants. Crossover design compromised blinding. Too small to assess efficacy.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will the larger parallel-design trial (NCT05519111) demonstrate efficacy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 85% of sickle cell patients approached were interested in a dronabinol trial
- Evidence Grade:
- Pilot feasibility study with only 6 participants.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication; larger efficacy trial currently ongoing
- Original Title:
- A pilot study of dronabinol for the treatment of pain in sickle cell disease.
- Published In:
- Pilot and feasibility studies, 11(1), 139 (2025)
- Authors:
- Curtis, Susanna A(2), Jhawar, Ritika(2), Bellis, Jordan(2), McCuskee, Sarah, Devine, Lesley, Roberts, John D
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06279
Evidence Hierarchy
A small preliminary study to test whether a larger study is feasible.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is dronabinol?
Dronabinol is a synthetic form of THC that is FDA-approved for nausea/vomiting from chemotherapy and appetite loss in HIV/AIDS.
Why do sickle cell patients use cannabis?
Sickle cell disease causes severe, chronic pain from repeated vaso-occlusive crises. Many patients report using cannabis for pain relief.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06279APA
Curtis, Susanna A; Jhawar, Ritika; Bellis, Jordan; McCuskee, Sarah; Devine, Lesley; Roberts, John D. (2025). A pilot study of dronabinol for the treatment of pain in sickle cell disease.. Pilot and feasibility studies, 11(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01705-6
MLA
Curtis, Susanna A, et al. "A pilot study of dronabinol for the treatment of pain in sickle cell disease.." Pilot and feasibility studies, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01705-6
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A pilot study of dronabinol for the treatment of pain in sic..." RTHC-06279. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/curtis-2025-a-pilot-study-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.