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Doctors can use nabilone when chemotherapy sickness does not improve with anti-sickness drugs. Cancer Research UK
Medical cannabis may be prescribed for vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy when other anti-sickness treatments are not helping. NHS
Patients had no nausea and vomiting during a chemotherapy cycle in an oral THC/CBD cannabis-extract trial. International Journal of Women’s Health
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
Help with symptoms, alongside your care
A cancer diagnosis and its treatment can bring a range of difficult symptoms. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause nausea and vomiting, while pain, poor appetite, anxiety and disturbed sleep are also common and can affect quality of life.
Oncology and palliative care teams use many recognised supportive treatments for these symptoms. Cannabis-based medicines already play a role here: nabilone is licensed in the UK to help with chemotherapy-related sickness when standard anti-sickness medicines have not worked.
It is important to be clear that this is about symptom support. Medical cannabis is not a treatment for cancer and never replaces cancer treatment.
Recognising the impact
Common cancer-related symptoms symptoms
Cancer-related symptoms vary by person and by treatment. Those a specialist may help support include:
- Cancer-related or treatment-related pain
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep
- Anxiety and low mood
- Reduced overall quality of life
Conventional treatments
Standard supportive care
Cancer-related pain and sickness are managed by your cancer and palliative care teams. Recognised options include:
- Anti-sickness (anti-emetic) medicines such as metoclopramide, domperidone or aprepitant
- Dexamethasone or levomepromazine for difficult sickness in some cases
- Pain relief following the recognised pain ladder, from codeine phosphate and dihydrocodeine to tramadol
- Stronger opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl or buprenorphine where needed
- Nabilone, a licensed cannabis-based medicine, for chemotherapy sickness in selected cases
- Specialist palliative and supportive care
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If cancer-related symptoms symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with cancer-related symptoms?
Medical cannabis does not treat cancer. Where symptoms such as pain, or nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, are not controlled by recognised treatments, a specialist may review whether it could help alongside your cancer care.
Used alongside your oncology care, medical cannabis may help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea or poor sleep. A specialist reviews your treatment and current medicines to consider whether it could support your comfort and quality of life.
One cannabis-based medicine, nabilone, is already licensed in the UK for chemotherapy sickness that has not responded to standard anti-sickness drugs. Where other symptoms such as pain, appetite or sleep remain hard to control, a specialist may consider whether further prescription medical cannabis options could help. Effects can vary from person to person, which is why specialist guidance matters.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your situation, current treatment and medicines, and works alongside your oncology and palliative care teams so any treatment fits within your wider plan.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Licensed use (nabilone for chemotherapy sickness); developing for pain
A cannabis-based medicine (nabilone) is licensed for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when standard anti-sickness treatments have not worked. Evidence for cancer pain is developing, and medical cannabis never treats cancer itself.
- Medical cannabis does not treat or cure cancer.
- Nabilone is licensed for chemotherapy sickness when standard antiemetics have failed.
- Any role is symptom support alongside your oncology and palliative team.
Related support
Explore related cancer-related symptoms support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Cancer-Related Symptoms FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for cancer-related symptoms in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Can medical cannabis treat my cancer?
No. Medical cannabis is not a treatment for cancer and does not replace cancer treatment. Where appropriate, it may be considered only to help manage symptoms such as pain or nausea alongside your oncology care.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP and oncology team informed where you wish.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical assessment by a specialist, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.