Efficacy and safety of a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor (PF-04457845) in the treatment of cannabis withdrawal and dependence in men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, phase 2a single-site randomised controlled trial

RCT (n=70) reported that compared to placebo, PF-04457845 reduced cannabis withdrawal symptoms (first day of treatment mean symptom score 11.00 vs 6.04; p=0·048) and self-reported cannabis use at 4 weeks (mean 1.27 vs 0.40 joints per day; p=0.0003).

A related editorial notes that cannabis use downregulates fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) function, suggesting that FAAH inhibition could restore endocannabinoid function in patients with cannabis use disorder.

 

The author adds that given that there are no approved pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder, these results address an important public health problem in the era of cannabis legalisation.