MedPath

Cannabis Versus Oxycodone for Pain Relief

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02892591
Lead Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Brief Summary

This study investigates the ability of cannabis to reduce chronic back and neck pain and to reduce sensitivity to an acute painful stimulus. Cannabis will be compared to both oxycodone and a placebo.

Detailed Description

This study investigates the ability of cannabis to reduce chronic back and neck pain and to reduce sensitivity to an acute painful stimulus. Cannabis will be compared to both oxycodone and a placebo.

Some inclusion/exclusion criteria are purposely omitted at this time to preserve scientific integrity. They will be included after the trial is complete.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
33
Inclusion Criteria
  • Previous smoked or vaporized cannabis exposure
  • Age ≥21 years

Overall

Exclusion Criteria
  • Current substance use disorder
  • Current alcohol use disorder
  • Past cannabis abuse/dependence
  • Current use of amphetamine/methamphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), MDMA (ecstasy)
  • Prior adverse reaction to cannabis exposure (paranoia, anxiety, etc.)
  • Allergy to or prior adverse reaction to oxycodone
  • Any condition contraindicative to opioid use (e.g. paralytic ileus)
  • History or diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
  • Current severe depression
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (>139/89)
  • Known cardiovascular disease
  • Known immune system disorder
  • Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., bronchitis, asthma, COPD, or emphysema)
  • History of seizure disorder
  • Diagnosed inflammatory disease (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA))
  • Clinically significant abnormal values on CBC/CMP/EKG tests
  • Cognitive disability that interferes with ability to provide consent or understand study procedures
  • Inability to refrain from using tobacco for at least 4 hours
  • Pregnant females
  • Lactating females

Additional Exclusion Criteria for SPINE PATIENTS

  • Current regular use of a long acting opioid (e.g. OxyContin, MS Contin, other extended release formulas)
  • Current high-dose use of immediate release opioid
  • Current high-dose use of nerve-targeted medication
  • Other diagnosed chronic pain syndromes of greater severity than spine condition (e.g. knee pain )
  • Diagnosed Fibromyalgia
  • Neuropathy not associated with spine condition (e.g. diabetic neuropathy)

Additional Exclusion Criteria for HEALTHY CONTROLS

  • Current acute pain
  • Current chronic pain condition (e.g. fibromyalgia, neuropathy)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CannabisCannabisMedium dose THC, single administration, vaporized
CannabisPlacebo for OxycodoneMedium dose THC, single administration, vaporized
OxycodoneOxycodone5-10 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, single administration, oral
OxycodonePlacebo for Cannabis5-10 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, single administration, oral
PlaceboPlacebo for CannabisNo active study drug
PlaceboPlacebo for OxycodoneNo active study drug
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score (Spine Patients)3 hours
Pain Threshold (kPa) (Healthy Controls)3 hours
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Drug effect rating3 hours
Psychoactive effect rating3 hours
Mood rating3 hours
Patient Global Impression of Change score3 hours
Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)3 hours
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised (HVLT)3 hours
Standardized Field Sobriety Test3 hours

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath