Cannabis Mouth Spray Helped Cancer Patients With Nausea That Standard Drugs Could Not Control
In a small pilot trial, 71% of cancer patients receiving a THC/CBD mouth spray achieved complete response for delayed chemotherapy nausea compared to 22% on placebo.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Sixteen cancer patients with persistent nausea and vomiting despite standard anti-emetic treatment were randomized to a THC/CBD oral spray (7 patients) or placebo (9 patients) for the 120-hour post-chemotherapy period.
The cannabis-based medicine group showed a dramatically higher complete response rate: 71.4% (5 of 7) versus 22.2% (2 of 9) with placebo, a difference of 49.2 percentage points. The benefit was primarily in the delayed nausea period.
Only one patient in the cannabis group withdrew due to adverse events. While the overall incidence of adverse events was higher in the cannabis group (86% vs 67%), none were serious.
The mean daily dose was 4.8 sprays in both groups.
Key Numbers
7 CBM patients, 9 placebo. Complete response: 71.4% vs 22.2% (difference 49.2%, 95% CI 1%-75%). Mean daily dose: 4.8 sprays. One withdrawal for adverse events. No serious adverse events.
How They Did This
Pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial. Sixteen patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) refractory to standard anti-emetics were randomized to a whole-plant cannabis-based medicine (THC + CBD) or placebo as add-on therapy.
Why This Research Matters
Delayed CINV remains a significant problem despite advances in anti-emetic therapy. This pilot trial suggested that a cannabis-based medicine could provide additional relief when standard treatments are insufficient.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabinoids have been used as anti-emetics since the 1980s (dronabinol, nabilone). This trial tested a newer delivery method (oral spray) with a combined THC/CBD formulation, showing promise for patients who do not respond to modern anti-emetic regimens.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (16 patients total). Pilot study not powered for definitive efficacy conclusions. The 95% confidence interval for the primary outcome was wide (1%-75%). Higher adverse event rate in the treatment group.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a larger phase III trial confirm these results?
- ?Is the combination of THC and CBD more effective than THC alone for CINV?
- ?What is the optimal dosing for anti-emetic effect?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 71% complete response with THC/CBD spray vs 22% with placebo for delayed chemo nausea
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small pilot RCT (n=16). Promising results but needs confirmation in a larger phase III trial.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2010. Subsequent research has continued to explore cannabinoid-based anti-emetics as adjuncts to modern anti-emetic regimens.
- Original Title:
- Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- Published In:
- British journal of clinical pharmacology, 70(5), 656-63 (2010)
- Authors:
- Duran, Marta, Pérez, Eulàlia, Abanades, Sergio(2), Vidal, Xavier, Saura, Cristina, Majem, Margarita, Arriola, Edurne, Rabanal, Manel, Pastor, Antoni, Farré, Magí, Rams, Neus, Laporte, Joan-Ramon, Capellà, Dolors
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00409
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why did this study focus on delayed nausea?
Acute CINV (first 24 hours) is now well-controlled by modern anti-emetics. Delayed CINV (days 2-5 after chemotherapy) remains a significant problem, and this is where the cannabis-based medicine showed its benefit.
Is this the same as medical marijuana?
The study used a standardized pharmaceutical spray containing precise amounts of THC and CBD, not smoked cannabis. This allows consistent dosing and clinical evaluation, which is different from variable-potency plant material.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00409APA
Duran, Marta; Pérez, Eulàlia; Abanades, Sergio; Vidal, Xavier; Saura, Cristina; Majem, Margarita; Arriola, Edurne; Rabanal, Manel; Pastor, Antoni; Farré, Magí; Rams, Neus; Laporte, Joan-Ramon; Capellà, Dolors. (2010). Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 70(5), 656-63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03743.x
MLA
Duran, Marta, et al. "Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.." British journal of clinical pharmacology, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03743.x
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardize..." RTHC-00409. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/duran-2010-preliminary-efficacy-and-safety
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.