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Cannabinoid

CBD + THC for Knee Osteoarthritis

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Richard Harris, PhD
Research Sponsored by Richard Harris
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Chronic knee pain, defined as moderate to severe knee pain for ≥ 6-month duration
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee by a medical provider (confirmed by checking medical records)
Must not have
Current use of moderate or strong inhibitors of cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, strong inducers of CYP3A4 or CYP2C19, moderate or strong inhibitors/inducers of CYP2C9, and narrow therapeutic index drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, amphotericin B). Participants will also not be allowed to start using these drugs during the study period if they wish to stay in the study
Current valproate, clobazam, or warfarin use per self-report or medical records
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up day 15, and approximately day 99 of treatment

Summary

This trial is testing how different doses of THC, CBD, or a combination of the two affects knee pain and other symptoms related to osteoarthritis.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking, right-handed adults with knee osteoarthritis who haven't used cannabis or CBD in the past month. They must be able to lie still for MRI scans and refrain from certain activities and medications before testing. Pregnant women, those planning knee surgery, or individuals with severe physical impairments or specific medical conditions are excluded.
What is being tested?
The study tests how daily treatment with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol), their combination, or a placebo affects pain from knee osteoarthritis over approximately 18 weeks. Participants will undergo clinical assessments, blood draws, questionnaires, pain diaries, sensory testing, and brain imaging without knowing which treatment they receive.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects of THC and CBD may include changes in appetite or mood swings; dizziness; dry mouth; altered mental state; gastrointestinal discomfort like nausea; fatigue; potential interaction with other medications.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have had knee pain that is moderate to severe for 6 months or more.
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My doctor confirmed I have knee osteoarthritis.
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I can stay still on my back for up to 1.5 hours.
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I am not using new pain medications or have been on a stable dose of non-opioid pain meds.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am not taking, nor will I start taking, certain strong medications that affect liver enzymes during the study.
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I am currently taking valproate, clobazam, or warfarin.
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I have used cannabis or CBD in the last month.
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I have epilepsy or a history of seizures.
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I am allergic to sesame oil or cannabis products.
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I have a current or past head injury.
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I have been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
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I have been diagnosed with nerve damage in my hands or feet.
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I have had a total knee replacement surgery.
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I am scheduled for a knee replacement during the study period.
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I have a severe physical impairment like blindness or deafness.
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My liver is not working properly.
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I currently have or am experiencing symptoms of hepatitis.
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I have diabetes that is not well-managed.
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I cannot comfortably fit or lie in an MRI machine.
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I am currently using opioids, not including tramadol.
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I have severe heart problems, such as heart attacks or heart failure.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~day 15, and approximately day 99 of treatment
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and day 15, and approximately day 99 of treatment for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in pre-post measurements of inflammatory marker IL-6.
Default mode network (DMN) to insula connectivity via functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI)

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Up to 10 mg/day.
Group II: Cannabidiol (CBD)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Up to 150 mg/day.
Group III: CBD plus THCExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Up to 150 mg/day CBD plus up to 10 mg/day THC.
Group IV: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Cannabidiol (CBD)
2021
Completed Phase 2
~140

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Richard HarrisLead Sponsor
Steven E Harte, PhDLead Sponsor
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)NIH
854 Previous Clinical Trials
671,560 Total Patients Enrolled
23 Trials studying Osteoarthritis
5,634 Patients Enrolled for Osteoarthritis

Media Library

Cannabidiol (CBD) (Cannabinoid) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04992624 — Phase 2
Osteoarthritis Research Study Groups: Cannabidiol (CBD), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD plus THC, Placebo
Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial 2023: Cannabidiol (CBD) Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04992624 — Phase 2
Cannabidiol (CBD) (Cannabinoid) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04992624 — Phase 2
~82 spots leftby Oct 2026