Long-Term Cannabis Oil Therapy Was Linked to Fewer Patients Using Opioids for Chronic Pain
Among chronic pain patients in Italy who used cannabis-based oils long-term, the proportion not using opioids rose from 32% to 55%, though no change was seen in other pain medication classes.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After long-term cannabis-based oil therapy, opioid non-users increased significantly from 32.1% to 55.4% (p=0.0023). No significant changes were found in anticonvulsant, antidepressant, or benzodiazepine prescribing patterns.
Key Numbers
Opioid non-users increased from 32.1% to 55.4% (p=0.0023). No significant changes for anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or benzodiazepines. High benzodiazepine use prevalence was noted. In patients over 65, antidepressant users decreased from 93.7% to 56.2% (p=0.0313).
How They Did This
Retrospective observational study of patients treated with medical cannabis-based oils at a Pain Medicine Unit in Northern Italy from June 2016 to July 2019. Compared pain medication prescriptions before and after cannabis treatment using the McNemar test. Subgroup analyses by sex, age, comorbidity, and treatment duration.
Why This Research Matters
The opioid-sparing potential of cannabis is one of the most debated topics in pain medicine. This real-world Italian data adds to the growing observational evidence that some patients reduce opioid use after starting cannabis, though causation remains uncertain.
The Bigger Picture
This study is consistent with other observational data showing opioid reduction among cannabis users, but it contrasts with randomized trials that generally have not found opioid-sparing effects. The specific finding about antidepressant reduction in older patients is intriguing but needs replication.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational and retrospective design cannot establish causation. Patients choosing cannabis may have been more motivated to reduce opioids regardless. No control group for comparison. Single-center study in the Italian healthcare system.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a randomized trial in Italian chronic pain patients confirm the opioid reduction finding?
- ?Why was the antidepressant reduction seen only in patients over 65?
- ?Does the Italian prescribing context differ meaningfully from other countries?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Opioid non-users: 32.1% before vs 55.4% after cannabis oil therapy
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: real-world clinical data with significant results, but limited by retrospective, single-center, uncontrolled design.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022, covering data from 2016-2019.
- Original Title:
- Long-term Cannabis-based oil therapy and pain medications prescribing patterns: an Italian observational study.
- Published In:
- European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 26(4), 1224-1234 (2022)
- Authors:
- Nunnari, P, Ladiana, N, Ceccarelli, G, Notaro, P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04108
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did cannabis oil replace opioids for these patients?
More patients stopped using opioids after starting cannabis oil (32% to 55%), but the study cannot determine whether cannabis directly caused the reduction or whether other factors were involved.
What type of cannabis oil was used?
The study used cannabis-based oils prescribed through the Italian medical system. Specific formulations and THC/CBD ratios were not detailed in the abstract.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04108APA
Nunnari, P; Ladiana, N; Ceccarelli, G; Notaro, P. (2022). Long-term Cannabis-based oil therapy and pain medications prescribing patterns: an Italian observational study.. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 26(4), 1224-1234. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202202_28114
MLA
Nunnari, P, et al. "Long-term Cannabis-based oil therapy and pain medications prescribing patterns: an Italian observational study.." European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202202_28114
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Long-term Cannabis-based oil therapy and pain medications pr..." RTHC-04108. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/nunnari-2022-longterm-cannabisbased-oil-therapy
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.