Aims:Medicinal cannabis is being used increasingly for many symptoms and conditions.Chronic pain,anxiety,insomnia and behavioural and psychological symptoms related to dementia(BPSD) are common problems in older people.Worldwide, experience of using cannabis in older people is very limited.The aim of this presentation is to outline the current evidence , discuss the positive and negative outcomes and the current prescribing procedure.
Methods:Literature review and audit review of our experience
Results:Review of literature showed that there are manuscripts reporting small audits,outcome of non-placebo and non-blinded placebo trials.Research is limited for older people.
Our audit showed that of 46 patients ,half gained benefit.Few side effects were noted and very few patients stopped treatment as a result of adverse events.
Conclusion:Cannabis should be available to older people for difficult symptom control,particularly pain,anxiety and insomnia where other treatments have failed.Side effect profile is minimal and medications are well tolerated.However,further research is required ,particularly blinded placebo trials need to be undertaken.The use of cannabis in controlling BPSD is looking optimistic.