Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for the treatment of Long COVID symptoms: current and potential applications

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can result in a range of persistent symptoms impacting everyday functioning for a considerable proportion of patients, a condition termed Long coronavirus disease (COVID) or post COVID-19 syndrome. The severity and set of symptoms vary between patients, and include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances, palpitations, tachycardia, pain, depression, and anxiety. The high prevalence of Long COVID combined with the lack of treatment approaches has resulted in considerable unmet clinical needs. There is a growing body of evidence that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) can be used to treat symptoms including pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep, headaches, and cognitive dysfunction, which are commonly reported in Long COVID. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of Long COVID and discusses preliminary pre-clinical, clinical trials, and real-world evidence (RWE) for CBMPs in the context of Long COVID. This review summarises current clinical trials and studies exploring CBMPs in Long COVID. The current evidence provides a rationale to further explore CBMPs as a treatment for Long COVID symptoms. In addition to further randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the increasing availability of CBMPs globally, coupled with the continued prevalence of Long COVID in the population, also highlights the value of real-world data in the research of CBMPs in Long COVID. Critically, there is an evident need for multidisciplinary approaches of CBMPs and Long COVID in real-world clinical practice settings.

Feasibility of a cannabidiol‐dominant cannabis‐based medicinal product for the treatment of long COVID symptoms: A single‐arm open‐label feasibility trial

“…This was also the first clinical trial using a CBMP, rather than a wellness product in the long COVID population. 12 A particular strength in design is the long duration of treatment, which is reflective of how CBMPs are currently used in clinical practice over long periods for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain.…”

“…There are multiple lines of evidence that support the use of CBMPs to treat long COVID symptoms. 12 Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of long COVID (including pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive dysfunction) are also found in disorders currently being treated with CBMPs and there is a growing evidence suggesting effectiveness of CBMPs in treating these and other symptoms, [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] while also improving quality of life. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The underlying mechanisms of long COVID provide further insights as to how CBMPs may ameliorate some of the symptoms.…”