Dronabinol After Arthroscopic Surgery

Dronabinol for the Treatment of Postoperative Pain After Arthroscopic Surgery: a Pilot Randomized Trial

The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy of dronabinol for postoperative pain after arthroscopic surgery of the knee. The investigators hypothesize that dronabinol will relieve pain, reduce opioid consumption and will result in few negative side effects. If this pilot study shows promising results the investigators will expand the trial to include additional arthroscopic surgeries (hip, shoulder) and other types of orthopaedic surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older

• Patient who will undergo arthroscopic surgery of the knee including, but not limited to,

  • Meniscectomy
  • Synovectomy
  • Chondroplasty
  • Loose body removal

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under age 18 years

• Patients who cannot provide consent

• Patients who are pregnant, breast feeding, or are trying to become pregnant during the study period

• Patients with an allergy to any of the study drugs

• Patient who are lactose-intolerant

• Revision surgery

• Open surgery

• Comorbidities preventing surgery

• Patients with a history of mania, depression, or schizophrenia

• Patients taking any of the following drugs or supplements

  • Anticholinergic agents
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Central nervous system depressants
  • Droperidol
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Levomepromazine or methotrimeprazine
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • Ritonavir
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
  • Sympathomimetics
  • St. John's Wort

• Current diagnosed alcohol or drug abuse

• Patients who cannot or will not abide by the medication restrictions listed below

Medication restrictions

• Participants must agree to abstain from using recreational or medical marijuana products or cannabidiol (CBD) in any form during the treatment period
• Participants should not drink alcohol or take other drugs while taking the study drug or hydrocodone/acetaminophen