Topical Cannabis Cream Mitigates Pruritus In Thai Clinical Trial

Pruritus is a medical term for ‘itching.’ While pruritus can develop for a multitude of reasons, it is fairly common among patients with chronic kidney disease. According to a June 2024 study, the worldwide prevalence of pruritus is 39.8%.

The number of people suffering from chronic kidney disease around the globe is roughly 800 million people according to a study from 2022, although it is unknown how many of those suffering patients also suffer from pruritus.

A team of researchers in Thailand recently conducted a clinical trial involving topical cannabis cream containing both CBD and THC, with the cream being used by chronic kidney disease patients experiencing pruritus. Below is more information about the results of the clinical trial via a news release from NORML:

Pathum Thani, Thailand: The topical application of a cream containing CBD and THC reduces itch severity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus, according to placebo-controlled clinical data published in the journal Kidney Medicine.

Investigators associated with Thammasat University in Thailand assessed the use of a cannabis-infused cream versus placebo in pruritus patients. Subjects were administered either the cream or the placebo for four weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and at two weeks and four weeks.

Compared to the placebo group, kidney disease patients using the cannabis-infused cream experienced less itching and improved quality of life.

The study’s authors concluded: “This study demonstrated that a cannabis-containing cream might be an effective treatment for CKD-associated pruritus in hemodialysis patients with limited adverse side effects. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations of follow-up are suggested to ensure the reliability of the results, especially regarding itch-related quality of life.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis-containing cream for CKD-associated pruritus: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,” appears in Kidney Medicine.