This review summarizes current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in the emergency department setting.
Emergency medicine professionals, pharmacists, cannabis users experiencing cyclical vomiting, and anyone wanting to understand CHS treatment options.
What the researchers found
CHS management in the ED includes both pharmacological approaches (antiemetics, capsaicin) and non-pharmacological strategies (hot showers), with emergency pharmacists playing an increasingly important role in treatment decisions.
Why it matters
CHS is becoming more common as cannabis use rises. Patients often cycle through multiple ER visits before diagnosis, and clear treatment protocols can reduce suffering and healthcare costs.
The numbers in context
Review article — synthesizes existing evidence on CHS treatments including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.
How the study worked
Review article summarizing current evidence on pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) in the emergency department.
What this study cannot tell us
CHS treatment evidence is largely based on case reports and small studies. No large RCTs exist for most recommended therapies.
How to read the evidence
Review of existing treatment evidence, which is itself largely based on case reports and small studies rather than rigorous trials.
When this study was published
Recent review reflecting current clinical practices for a condition that has become significantly more common in recent years.
The bigger picture
CHS was barely recognized a decade ago and is now a routine ED diagnosis. As cannabis potency and use frequency increase, clinical awareness and standardized treatment protocols become essential.
Questions still open
- Which pharmacological treatments are most effective for acute CHS episodes? Can we identify cannabis users at highest risk for developing CHS before it occurs?
Common questions
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
How is CHS treated in the emergency room?
Read the original research
Managing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in adult patients in the emergency department.
American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 82(24), 1340-1352
Citation
Won, Kimberly J; Celmins, Laura. (2025). Managing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in adult patients in the emergency department.. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 82(24), 1340-1352. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxaf125