The Effect of CanChew® Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Chewing Gum on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Randomized, Double-blind, Cross-over Trial of the Effect of CanChew® Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Chewing Gum on Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Enrolling by invitation

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03003260
• Other study ID #: NL58588.081.16
• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Phase: N/A
• First received: December 14, 2016
• Last updated: December 23, 2016
• Start date: December 2016
• Est. completion date: June 2017

Study information

• Verified date: December 2016
• Source: Wageningen University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Netherlands: Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC)
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Rationale: IBS is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder with a prevalence worldwide ranging from 9-23%. Complaints include abdominal discomfort or pain and altered bowel habits. Although the condition is not life-threatening, it strongly impairs quality of life and up to now there is no cure for IBS. It is assumed that IBS symptoms are related to a combination of altered gut motility and secretion, and visceral hypersensitivity. However, its primary cause still remains largely unknown. The endocannabinoid system, together with some functionally related receptors is among the biological targets considered promising for treatment. Modulation of the CB1 , CB2 and related receptors or enzymes of the endocannabinoid system in a broader sense by (endo) cannabinoids or (and) structurally related lipid mediators can influence motility, secretions and decrease hypersensitivity in the gut. Among the plant-derived cannabinoids or so called 'phytocannabinoids', cannabidiol (CBD) is of special interest as it has shown therapeutic potential in preclinical studies and a growing number of case-reports. CBD is a non-specific phytocannabinoid displaying a broad but weak receptor interaction profile. In contrast to the well-known THC from Cannabis sativa, CBD is not psychoactive and often also present in those Cannabis varieties that are not used for their psychoactive properties but for industrial (fibre) or food properties (oil, flour and seeds) instead. Based on preclinical studies and in vitro data we hypothesize that CBD might be able to relieve symptoms of IBS, including pain in patients with IBS. The chewing gum is to be taken 'on demand' and may have some additional perceived positive effects.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of a CBD-containing preparation in the form of CanChew® chewing gum can contribute to a reduction of IBS symptoms and an improvement of perceived wellbeing in patients with IBS.

Study design: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial of 8 weeks in total.

Study population: Adults, aged 18-65, diagnosed according to the ROME III criteria with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Intervention (if applicable): Patients will, in this cross-over study, receive a maximum 6 chewing gums per day, either containing 50 mg of cannabidiol per chewing gum in case of the CanChew chewing gum, or a placebo chewing gum. This first intervention period will last 3 weeks. Next, participants will undergo a one week wash-out and then switch intervention to either placebo or the CanChew chewing gum for another 3 weeks.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameter is a change in pain reduction perception experienced and measured by the patient using VAS-scales before and after taking the chewing gum, to be recorded in a diary. Next to this a patient is asked to provide one VAS score for each completed week. Furthermore, the adequate relief will be measured every day. At the end of each week patients will also be asked (from their diary) whether they noticed a change in stool frequency or (and) experienced any side-effects. For the disease-related quality of life the IBS-QOL will be used. This questionnaire will be filled out in week 1, 4, 5, and 8.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Enrollment: 40
• Est. completion date: June 2017
• Est. primary completion date: April 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male

• Female, only when using the contraceptive pill

• Adults, aged 18-65

• IBS, diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria

• More than 3 moments of pain with a vas-score of 4 and higher per week

• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use SSRIs, tramadol or tramagetic

• Have a history of intestinal surgery that might interfere with the outcome of the study

• Female patients: currently pregnant or breast-feeding hope to become pregnant during the study, judged by the persons self.

• Female who is not using the contraceptive pill.

• Are an employee and students of the department of Human Nutrition at Wageningen UR, or employee at the MDL department of hospital Gelderse Vallei

• Participate in another research study

• Alcohol use (male more than 14 servings a week, female more than 7 servings a week)

• Cannabis use is from 3 months before until the end of the study not allowed.

• Hypersensitivity to one of the ingredients of the chewing gum

• Drug use (CYP2C19 and CYP3A4) metabolised; medication will be evaluated for this by the principal and medical investigator.

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Syndrome

Intervention

Other:
• CBD chewing gum

• Placebo

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Netherlands	Wageningen University	Wageningen	Gelderland

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Wageningen University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Netherlands, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change of pain scores on the Visual analoge scale (VAS) between baseline and 3, 5 and 8 weeks of treatment	The main study parameter is a change in pain reduction perception experienced and measured by the patient using VAS-scales before and after taking the chewing gum, to be recorded in a diary	Baseline, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks	No
Secondary	Change of IBS-QOL baseline vs 3, 5 and 8 weeks of treatment	For the disease-related quality of life the IBS-QOL will be used	Baseline, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks	No