Oral Cannabinoids Appeared Safe in People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy
In a small pilot trial, oral cannabinoids (THC:CBD combination or CBD alone) were generally safe and well-tolerated in people with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy, with stable CD4 counts and viral suppression.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Eight of ten HIV-positive participants completed 12 weeks of treatment. Seven experienced no significant toxicity. Two withdrawals from the CBD-only arm were for pre-existing conditions (anemia aggravated by phlebotomy and hepatitis with newly discovered pancreatic cancer). CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and HIV suppression remained stable throughout.
Key Numbers
10 participants; 8 completed; THC:CBD max 15mg/15mg daily; CBD-only max 800mg daily; 12 weeks; CD4 and viral load stable; 7/10 no significant toxicity
How They Did This
Open-label interventional pilot study at McGill University Health Centre. Participants randomized to oral THC:CBD (2.5mg/2.5mg, titrated to 15mg/15mg daily) or CBD-only (200mg, titrated to 800mg daily) for 12 weeks. Primary outcome: percentage without significant WHO toxicity.
Why This Research Matters
People living with HIV experience chronic immune activation even on effective antiretroviral therapy. Cannabinoids' anti-inflammatory properties could theoretically help, but safety data in this population has been lacking.
The Bigger Picture
Many people with HIV already use cannabis. This pilot provides preliminary safety data to inform larger trials investigating whether cannabinoids can reduce chronic immune activation in HIV.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (10 participants). Open-label without placebo control. Two withdrawals from the CBD arm for issues that may not be related to the study drug. Cannot assess efficacy.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would cannabinoids reduce chronic immune activation in HIV in a larger trial?
- ?Should liver function be routinely monitored in HIV patients using high-dose CBD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CD4 count and viral suppression remained stable
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small open-label pilot (n=10) focused on safety and tolerability rather than efficacy.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022
- Original Title:
- Safety and Tolerability of Oral Cannabinoids in People Living with HIV on Long-Term ART: A Randomized, Open-Label, Interventional Pilot Clinical Trial (CTNPT 028).
- Published In:
- Biomedicines, 10(12) (2022)
- Authors:
- Mboumba Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney(3), Needham, Judy(2), Nohynek, Dana, Singer, Joel, Lee, Terry, Bobeuf, Florian, Samarani, Suzanne, Del Balso, Lina, Paisible, Natalie, Vertzagias, Claude, Sebastiani, Giada, Margolese, Shari, Mandarino, Enrico, Klein, Marina, Lebouché, Bertrand, Cox, Joseph, Brouillette, Marie-Josée, Routy, Jean-Pierre, Szabo, Jason, Thomas, Réjean, Huchet, Emmanuel, Vigano, Antonio, Jenabian, Mohammad-Ali, Costiniuk, Cecilia T
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04051
Evidence Hierarchy
A small preliminary study to test whether a larger study is feasible.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis safe for people with HIV?
This small pilot trial found oral cannabinoids (THC:CBD or CBD alone) were generally safe in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy, with stable CD4 counts and viral suppression. Larger studies are needed to confirm safety.
Did cannabinoids interfere with HIV medication?
No. CD4 counts, CD4/CD8 ratios, and HIV viral suppression remained stable throughout the 12-week study. However, the authors recommended monitoring liver enzymes, especially with high CBD doses.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04051APA
Mboumba Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney; Needham, Judy; Nohynek, Dana; Singer, Joel; Lee, Terry; Bobeuf, Florian; Samarani, Suzanne; Del Balso, Lina; Paisible, Natalie; Vertzagias, Claude; Sebastiani, Giada; Margolese, Shari; Mandarino, Enrico; Klein, Marina; Lebouché, Bertrand; Cox, Joseph; Brouillette, Marie-Josée; Routy, Jean-Pierre; Szabo, Jason; Thomas, Réjean; Huchet, Emmanuel; Vigano, Antonio; Jenabian, Mohammad-Ali; Costiniuk, Cecilia T. (2022). Safety and Tolerability of Oral Cannabinoids in People Living with HIV on Long-Term ART: A Randomized, Open-Label, Interventional Pilot Clinical Trial (CTNPT 028).. Biomedicines, 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123168
MLA
Mboumba Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney, et al. "Safety and Tolerability of Oral Cannabinoids in People Living with HIV on Long-Term ART: A Randomized, Open-Label, Interventional Pilot Clinical Trial (CTNPT 028).." Biomedicines, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123168
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Safety and Tolerability of Oral Cannabinoids in People Livin..." RTHC-04051. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mboumba-2022-safety-and-tolerability-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.