Consensus-Based Recommendations for Titrating Cannabinoids and Tapering
Opioids for Chronic Pain Control
Abstract
Aims: Opioid misuse and overuse has contributed to a widespread overdose
crisis and many patients and physicians are considering medical cannabis
to support opioid tapering and chronic pain control. Using a five-step
modified Delphi process, we aimed to develop consensus-based
recommendations on: 1) when and how to safely initiate and titrate
cannabinoids in the presence of opioids, 2) when and how to safely taper
opioids in the presence of cannabinoids, and 3) how to monitor patients
and evaluate outcomes when treating with opioids and cannabinoids.
Results: In patients with chronic pain taking opioids not reaching
treatment goals, there was consensus that cannabinoids may be considered
for patients experiencing or displaying opioid-related complications,
despite psychological or physical interventions. There was consensus
observed to initiate with a CBD-predominant oral extract in the daytime
and consider adding THC. When adding THC, start with 0.5–3 mg, and
increase by 1–2 mg once or twice weekly up to 30–40 mg/day. Initiate
opioid tapering when the patient reports a minor/major improvement in
function, seeks less as-needed medication to control pain, and/or the
cannabis dose has been optimized. The opioid tapering schedule may be
5%–10% of the morphine equivalent dose (MED) every 1 to 4 weeks.
Clinical success could be defined by an improvement in function/quality
of life, a ≥ 30% reduction in pain intensity, a ≥ 25% reduction in
opioid dose, a reduction in opioid dose to < 90 mg MED, and/or
reduction in opioid-related adverse events. Conclusions: This five-stage
modified Delphi process led to the development of consensus-based
recommendations surrounding the safe introduction and titration of
cannabinoids in concert with tapering opioids.