Pharmacokinetics and side effects for tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (Sativex) among patients with chronic kidney disease and patients on dialysis.

Severe stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with a high burden of symptoms including anorexia, pain, nausea, anxiety and sleep disorders. Because of side effects to existing medicine, these symptoms are often treated insufficiently. As previous studies have suggested a possible effect of cannabis-based medicine on several of the before mentioned symptoms in other patient groups, cannabinoids may be an alternative treatment option.

The aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics and side effects for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) (Sativex) among patients with chronic kidney disease, patients on dialyses and healthy volunteers.

The study will contribute with fundamental knowledge regarding products containing THC and CBD in patients with different stages of CKD and thereby form the basis for precautions and dose selections. Knowledge about the pharmacokinetics is a necessary precondition before studies can be made to clarify a possible effect on earlier mentioned symptoms in patients with CKD.

Researchers:

• Marie Bach Nielsen
• Dina Sherzad Khatir
• Krista Dybtved Kjærgaard