British journal of clinical pharmacology
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The treatment of symptoms in people with palliative diagnoses begins with meticulous clinical assessment with treatment choice(s) selected based on an understanding of the symptom aetiology and the evidence which underpins its treatment. Increasingly, the merits of palliative care have been established earlier in the disease trajectory where treatment outcomes may include increased survival and maintenance of function. ⋯ Ideally exploration of medicinal cannabinoids should occur within a clinical trial to accelerate the evidence base to inform practice. In people with refractory symptoms, the consideration of unregistered products or off-label prescribing should be guided by the potential influences of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and drug-drug interactions, supported by an informed discussion with the patient, and regular review of net clinical benefit.