Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases.

Purpose: The aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of cannabis preparations for relieving pain in patients with malignant diseases, through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were predominantly double-blind trials that compared cannabis preparation to a placebo.

Methods: An electronic search of all literature published until June 2017 was made in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and specific web pages devoted to cannabis.

Results: Fifteen of the 18 trials demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of cannabinoids as compared to placebo.