Table 5 Adverse events recorded in identified studies

Beaulieu [17]

2 mg nabilone: increased sedation and pain

Xerostomia, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritis common but not different between groups

Haroutounian et al. [26]

Mild-moderate: n = 9 (sedation, heaviness, decreased concentration)

Severe: n = 2 (increased transaminases and acute confusion)

Hickernell et al. [9]

None during length of hospital course (mean 2.3–3 days)

Holdcroft et al. [25]

% of 5,10,15 mg subjects experiencing adverse events: 9%, 30%, 50%, p = 0.002

n = 4 dizziness, n = 4 dysphoria, n = 2 xerostomia, n = 2 paranoia, n = 2 pallor, n = 2 tachycardia, n = 1 pyrexia, n = 1 vomiting, n = 1 sensory change, n = 1 sleep disturbance, n = 1 vasovagal syncope

Change in sedation VRS (0–4) at 5, 10, and 15 mg: 0, − 2, − 3, p = 0.03

Hunter et al.^a [18]

Application site xerosis (3.8 vs. 0.9%) and headache (3.3% vs. 1.9%) were greater than placebo

Jain et al .[19]

2 events with placebo vs. 53 with levonantradol. Most commonly n = 19 sedation, n = 5 xerostomia, n = 4 dizziness, and n = 3 weird dreams.

No discontinuation, no dose dependent response

Levin et al. [20]

Lack of muscle coordination nabilone vs. placebo: 3/172 vs. 0/168, p < 0.0001

No other significant difference in adverse events, other common events: n = 31 xerostomia, n = 13 headache, n = 5 drowsiness

Mondello et al. [27]

n = 4 drowsiness, n = 3, decreased concentration, n = 2 xerostomia, n = 2 headache, n = 2 nausea/vomiting, n = 1 apathy, n = 1 puffy lips, n = 1 palpitations, n = 1 dizziness, n = 1 dysmorphic sensation, n = 1 mood disorder, n = 1 forgetfulness, n = 1 urinary retention.

Notcutt et al. [22]

CBD:THC run-in n = 21 xerostomia, n = 23 drowsiness, n = 18 dys/euphoria

THC:CBD : n = 20 xerostomia, n = 14 drowsiness, n = 12 dys/euphoria

THC: n = 17 xerostomia, n = 20 drowsiness, n = 12 dys/euphoria

CBB: n = 15 xerostomia, n = 8 drowsiness, n = 4 dys/euphoria

placebo: n = 11 xerostomia, n = 7 drowsiness, n = 1 dys/euphoria

n = 1 vasovagal syncope with THC

Poli et al. [28]

n = 8 confusion, n = 6 drowsiness, n = 3 worsening pain, n = 3 tachycardia, n = 3 anxiety, n = 3 hallucinations, n = 2 pruritis, n = 1 depression, n = 1 nausea, n = 1 increased appetite, n = 1 diarrhea, n = 1 anal burning, n = 1 depression, n = 1 dizziness

Ware et al. [21]

Serious events 40 with MCT vs. 56 without MCT at 12 months, IRR = 0.82 (95% CI 0.46–1.46)

1 severe event deemed likely related to cannabinoids: convulsions

Total non-serious events 818 with MCT vs. 581 without MCT at 12 months, IRR = 1.64 (95% CI 1.35–1.99)

Nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, infections, psychiatric disorders significantly higher in MCT group

Most common: n = 41 headache, n = 37 nasopharyngitis, n = 36 nausea, n = 29 somnolence, n = 27 dizziness, n = 17 vomiting, n = 16 cough, n = 9 euphoria

Yassin et al. [23]

n = 25 increased appetite, n = 19 conjunctival injection

Yassin et al. [24]

n = 28 conjunctival injection, n = 5 increased appetite, n = 3 sore throat