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Feasibility of a cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant cannabis based medicinal product (CBMP) for the treatment of Long COVID symptoms: A single arm open label feasibility trial
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  • Hannah Thurgur,
  • Michael Lynskey,
  • Anne Schlag,
  • Carol Croser,
  • David Nutt,
  • Elizabeth Iveson
Hannah Thurgur
DrugScience

Corresponding Author:hannah.thurgur@drugscience.org.uk

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Michael Lynskey
DrugScience
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Anne Schlag
DrugScience
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Carol Croser
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David Nutt
Imperial College London
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Elizabeth Iveson
Nuffield Health York Hospital
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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may be associated with long-term health problems termed Long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome. Symptoms can include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. There are few treatments available. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) may reduce some of the common symptoms associated with Long COVID as they are known to ameliorate these symptoms occurring in other conditions. We conducted a single arm open label feasibility trial of the safety and tolerability of a full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant CBMP for treating the symptoms of Long COVID. The treatment phase ran for a total of 21 weeks, followed by ~3 weeks without the study drug. Participants received up to 3 mL of MediCabilis 5% CBD Oil (50 mg CBD/mL, <2 mg THC/mL) per day orally. We recruited 12 (1 male, 11 female) individuals diagnosed with Long COVID into the trial. Monthly patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) of common symptoms and daily self-report of symptoms were collected via a smartphone app. Key measures of heart rate, activity, sleep, and oxygen saturation were assessed using wearable technology. All patients adhered to the treatment protocol for the duration of the study and there were no serious adverse events. Response rates for the research assessments were high with over 90% completion of PROMs and daily self-report. CBD-dominant CBMPs are safe and well tolerated in individuals diagnosed with Long COVID. Future work with larger samples and incorporating a control group should test the efficacy of this treatment.
04 Jul 2023Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
04 Jul 2023Submission Checks Completed
04 Jul 2023Assigned to Editor
04 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jul 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
10 Nov 20231st Revision Received
10 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
10 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned