CBD could be a safer alternative to opioids after knee surgery
NCT ID NCT06234631
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether cannabidiol (CBD) can lower the need for opioid painkillers after knee replacement surgery. 380 adults with knee osteoarthritis will take CBD or a placebo before and after surgery. Researchers will measure total opioid use and pain over 28 days to see if CBD helps reduce reliance on opioids.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to reduce opioid painkiller use after knee replacement, lowering addiction risk and side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial, so results may not confirm benefit. CBD may cause side effects like drowsiness or liver issues, and the opioid-sparing effect might be small or absent.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 380 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to read, understand, and sign the informed consent (English) * Willingness to participate in all study measures and restrictions, including patient-reported outcomes and longitudinal follow-up * Scheduled for surgery: primary total knee arthroplasty * Primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the surgical knee * Individuals of reproductive potential must agree to use acceptable birth control (defined in manual of operating procedures). This includes currently practicing an effective form of two types of birth control for women of childbearing potential, which are defined as those, alone or in combination, that result in a low failure rate (i.e., less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly from the screening visit until 28 days after the last study drug administration. * Participants must also agree not to donate sperm or eggs during study drug administration * Ability to take and to swallow the study medication and be willing to adhere to the treatment regimen * Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (see protocol) throughout study duration Exclusion Criteria: * Revision or bilateral total knee arthroplasty * Individuals receiving or actively applying for worker's compensation or disability and other aspects associated with potential secondary gain (postoperative disability for recovery is permitted) * Severe physical impairment or clinically significant illness (e.g., blindness, paraplegia) * Co-morbid medical conditions that may significantly impair physical functional status (e.g., current non-skin malignancies, solid organ transplant in the past year) * Illicit drug use (other than cannabis). Unreported opioid use would be exclusionary but reported prescribed opioid use is allowed (e.g. patient denies opioid use but is found to be positive on the urine drug screen) * Self-reported use of cannabis products within the 7 days prior to starting study drug * Self-reported use of cannabis products within the 8-30 days prior to starting study drug AND either a failed drug screen or inability to confirm successful washout (Note - may be rescreened with appropriate wash-out period) * High daily preoperative opioid dose * Individuals with major neurological disorders, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, history of traumatic brain injury/head injury, and seizures * Individuals with significant illness (e.g., cancer) and/or clinically significant labs (e.g. labs measured by complete blood count (CBC) and basic chemistry with values meaningfully outside of the normal range \[abnormal levels to be reviewed by the Principal Investigator or prescribing provider\]) * Medical or psychiatric conditions that in the judgment of study personnel would preclude participation in this study (e.g., psychosis, suicidal ideation; note that stable anxiety and depression are not exclusions) * Pregnant or nursing women (total joint arthroplasty is typically not indicated in this group of patients) * Self-reported liver cirrhosis * Self-reported uncontrolled diabetes * Self-reported active hepatitis (any etiology, including infectious, autoimmune, or alcohol-related) * Blood pressure at screening above 180 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) systolic and/or 120 mmHg diastolic; if value exceeds the set point, potential participants will have repeat assessment within 5 minutes for up to two additional measurements. * Resting heart rate at screening less than 50 beats per minute (bpm) or greater than 100 bpm; if value exceeds the set point, potential participants will have repeat assessment within 5 minutes for up to two additional measurements. * Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin (measured by blood test at screening) * Serum total bilirubin ≥ 2.5 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL) (mg/dL); or, * Alanine transaminase (ALT) or Alanine transaminase (AST) ≥ 3x upper limit normal (ULN); or, * Alkaline phosphatase ≥ 2x ULN * Severe cardiovascular disease (e.g., current unstable angina, current congestive heart failure, or current severe valvular abnormalities) that is self-reported by patient or in medical record * Current valproate, clobazam, or warfarin use per self-report or medical records * Current use of strong inducers of cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, or CYP2C19 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index * Self-reported allergies to sesame oil, strawberries, opioids, or cannabis/cannabinoids and confirmed by the investigator during screening * Any impairment, activity, behavior, or situation that in the judgment of the study team would prevent satisfactory completion of the study protocol * Self-reported severe side effects to opioids precluding the use of opioids for post-surgical pain and/or clear plan not to use any opioids after surgery and confirmed by the investigator during screening * Participation in other clinical trials over the course of this study (note: outside of active period is permissible as determined by the investigator during screening)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Henry Ford Health System
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGDetroit, Michigan, 48202, United States
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University of Michigan
RECRUITINGAnn Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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