CBD-oil as a potential solution in case of severe tamoxifen-related side effects

Tamoxifen may lead to bothersome side effects contributing to non-compliance and decreased quality of life. Patients searching for relief are increasingly turning to cannabinoids such as CBD-oil. However, CBD-oil might affect tamoxifen pharmacokinetics (PK) through CYP2D6 inhibition. The aims of this open-label, single-arm study were (1) to determine the PK profile of tamoxifen when using CBD-oil, and (2) to subsequently investigate whether CBD-oil has a beneficial influence on side effects. Study patients had to have steady-state endoxifen concentrations >= 16 nM (conservative threshold). PK sampling and side effect assessment was done at initiation of CBD-oil and 28 days thereafter. Bio-equivalence could be concluded if the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in endoxifen AUC fell within the [-20%; +25%] interval. The effect of CBD-oil on side effects was evaluated using the FACT-ES questionnaire. Endoxifen AUC decreased after CBD-oil by 12.6% (n = 15, 90% CI -18.7%, -6.1%) but remained within bio-equivalence boundaries. The endocrine sub-scale of the FACT-ES improved clinically relevant with 6.7 points (n = 26, p < 0.001) and health-related quality of life improved with 4.7 points after using CBD (95% CI + 1.8, +7.6). We conclude that CBD-oil, if of good quality and with a dosage below 50 mg, does not have to be discouraged in patients using it for tamoxifen-related side effects. Clinical trial registration: International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (NL8786; https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registry-platform).

Automated summary

CBD oil can affect the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen through CYP2D6 inhibition, but it has beneficial effects on tamoxifen-related side effects and can improve patients' quality of life.