Medicinal Cannabis for Painful HIV Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy occurs in over 30% of patients with HIV infection, making it among the most common neurological complications of HIV infection. Nucleoside analogues such as ddI and d4T, key components of modern, potent, combination antiretroviral therapies (ART), are also neurotoxic and contribute to the frequent occurence of painful neuropathy. By using treatment with available non-narcotic analgesic and adjunctive pain medications, approximately half of patients with painful HIV neuropathy obtain sufficient pain control.

On the first day each study week (active or placebo), participants will follow a specific titration procedure to achieve the optimal dose. This optimal dose will then be continued for the duration of the treatment week. Participants will undergo a 2-week washout period, after which they crossover to the other arm (active or placebo) and will again repeat the dose titration and dose maintenance procedures.

Comparison: Active cannabis doses ranging from 2-8% THC will be compared to placebo for the reduction of neuropathic pain.

Inclusion criteria

• Documented HIV infection
• Meets clinical and electrodiagnostic criteria for HIV-associated DSPN at entry
• Daily pain for at least three consecutive months with an average daily pain magnitude score of at least 5 on the Descriptor Differential Scale
• Inadequate pain relief with prior treatment for painful HIV neuropathy using drugs from at least two different classes of pain-modifying agents (NSAIDS, low-potency opioids, high-potency opioids, sodium channel blockers, other adjunctive pain treatments)
• Age 21-65 years
• Stable use of opioid and non-opioid analgesic medications during the two weeks prior to study entry

Exclusion criteria

• Positive urine toxicology screen for cannabinoids during the "wash-in" week prior to initiating study treatment
• Recent (i.e. during the month prior to study entry) history of marijuana use more than twice a week
• Previous psychosis with or intolerance to cannabinoids
• A lifetime history (ever) of dependence on cannabis
• Meeting criteria for alcohol or drug dependence within the last 12 months
• Active, major psychiatric disorder likely, in the investigator's opinion, to interfere with adherence to the study protocol
• Active AIDS-defining opportunistic disease (a history of AIDS-defining opportunistic disease which is no longer active or progressing will not be grounds for exclusion)
• Diabetes mellitus, renal failure with uremia, alcohol abuse, previous spinal surgery, or other documented causes of neuropathy or neuropathic pain
• Pulmonary disease of sufficient severity to require the use of supplemental oxygen
• Asthma
• Life expectancy less than 6 weeks or an active, acute illness likely to interfere with completion of the study protocol
• Pregnancy
• Failure to use adequate birth control in an individual with reproductive potential
• Minority status (less than 21 years), or persons over age 65 years