Review of the Use of Medicinal Cannabis Products in Palliative Care

Cancers (Basel). 2024 Apr 4;16(7):1412. doi: 10.3390/cancers16071412.

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the potential role of cannabis and cannabinoids in the management of cancer-related symptoms. There is limited evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of cannabis-based products in treating cancer-related pain and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Regarding the role of cannabis-based products in the treatment of insomnia and mood disorders, most studies looked at these symptoms as secondary outcomes with mixed results. Cannabis-based products have adverse effects, ranging from neuropsychiatric to systemic effects to potential drug interactions.

Keywords: cancer-related symptoms; cannabinoids; cannabis; cannabis-based medicines; cannabis-based products; medical cannabis; palliative care.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.