Medical use of cannabis in the Netherlands

Neurology. 2005 Mar 8;64(5):917-9. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000152845.09088.28.

Abstract

The authors investigated the indications for cannabis prescription in the Netherlands and assessed its efficacy and side effects. A majority (64.1%) of patients reported a good or excellent effect on their symptoms. Of these patients, approximately 44% used cannabis for >/=5 months. Indications were neurologic disorders, pain, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer anorexia/cachexia. Inhaled cannabis was perceived as more effective than oral administration. Reported side effects were generally mild.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Anorexia / diagnosis
  • Anorexia / drug therapy*
  • Anorexia / etiology
  • Cannabis*
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Utilization / trends
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking / trends
  • Middle Aged
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Netherlands
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / etiology
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Phytotherapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Phytotherapy / trends
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Plant Preparations / adverse effects
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Plant Preparations