Prescribing cannabis for harm reduction

Harm Reduction Journal

Mark Collen¹ 

[1] PainExhibit.com, 9008 El Cajon Way, #4, Sacramento, CA, 95826, USA

关键词: ethics;    harm reduction;    chronic pain;    neuropathic pain;    opioids;    cannabinoids;    cannabis;   

Others  :  810079
DOI  :  10.1186/1477-7517-9-1

 received in 2011-08-30, accepted in 2012-01-01,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Neuropathic pain affects between 5% and 10% of the US population and can be refractory to treatment. Opioids may be recommended as a second-line pharmacotherapy but have risks including overdose and death. Cannabis has been shown to be effective for treating nerve pain without the risk of fatal poisoning. The author suggests that physicians who treat neuropathic pain with opioids should evaluate their patients for a trial of cannabis and prescribe it when appropriate prior to using opioids. This harm reduction strategy may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with prescription pain medications.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Collen; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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