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Perioperative Medicine
Published in: Perioperative Medicine 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Opioids | Review

Cannabis-based medicines and the perioperative physician

Authors: Patrick Tapley, Suzanne Kellett

Published in: Perioperative Medicine | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

The increasing availability of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes means that anaesthetists will encounter an increasing number of patients taking cannabis-based medications. The existing evidence base is conflicted and incomplete regarding the indications, interactions and long-term effects of these substances. Globally, most doctors have had little education regarding the pharmacology of cannabis-based medicines, despite the endocannabinoid system being one of the most widespread in the human body. Much is unknown, and much is to be decided, including clarifying definitions and nomenclature, and therapeutic indications and dosing. Anaesthetists, Intensivists, Pain and Perioperative physicians will want to contribute to this evidence base and attempt to harness such therapeutic benefits in terms of pain relief and opiate-avoidance, anti-emesis and seizure control. We present a summary of the pharmacology of cannabis-based medicines including anaesthetic interactions and implications, to assist colleagues encountering these medicines in clinical practice.
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Metadata
Title
Cannabis-based medicines and the perioperative physician
Authors
Patrick Tapley
Suzanne Kellett
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Perioperative Medicine / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2047-0525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13741-019-0127-x

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