Introduction
This article is based on the ASAM Review of Potential Pharmacological Treatments for Cannabis Abuse published on August 9,2021.
Agonist therapies mimic effects of a drug which decrease the withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
THC is the primary psychoactive component and acts on the Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor.
Agonist therapy aims to act on the CB1 receptor.
Although these agents seem promising they are not yet ready for primetime and more research is needed.
Dronabinol
An oral synthetic TCH that is FDA approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea and AIDS wasting syndrome
Studies have shown that although Dronabinol reduces withdrawal it does not reduce self administration.
Combined treatment with behavioral therapies also showed no benefit over placebo.
Nabilone
Synthetic analogue of THC.
FDA approved for chemo-induced nausea.
Studies show that it decreases withdrawal symptoms and choice to self-administer cannabis in the laboratory thus better than Dronabinol.
PF-04457845 Redafamdastat
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition
Inhibition of theses enzymes, results in creased ligands that stimulate CB1 receptors.
Currently being studied at Yale (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01618656)
References
American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2021, August 9). A review of potential pharmacological treatments for cannabis abuse. https://www.asam.org/blog-details/article/2021/08/09/a-review-of-potential-pharmacological-treatments-for-cannabis-abuse
Reference:
“Addiction Psychiatric Medicine: A comprehensive Board Review” Colon-Rivera, et.al.