What should I do if my medication isn't working for me?

Why your medication might not be working?

Before we get into the guts of this article, the first thing that we have to lay out is that there is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to medical cannabis treatment. Just like most other medications, what works for one patient may not necessarily work for another.

This is more pronounced with medical cannabis due to the unique way it interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system.

Each patient reacts (at least slightly) differently to cannabis-based medications, even if they are suffering from similar health issues and have similar lifestyles. We all have our own unique tolerance to different dosages and cannabinoids, and that can also change over time.

This is why your prescribing specialist will discuss titration with you, and it's why some patients may need to persist for a few weeks or months before they find the right balance. In other words, don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results.

Certain conditions that medical cannabis is prescribed for will not see an immediate change but rather a gradual improvement over time.

What is titration?

Simply put, titration is the process of finding the best dosage size by "starting low, going slow". That means starting with the lowest possible dose that could potentially offer effective relief, and then slowly increasing the dose until the needed level of symptom management is reached.

Most patients will be recommended to follow this method of increasing their dosage slowly over a few days or weeks until they see an improvement in their symptoms.

It's important to follow the dosing instructions provided by your doctor and not rush into higher dosages. Doing so minimises potential side effects and allows for a more accurate assessment of how you respond to your prescribed medical cannabis flower or oil.

What should you do if your medication isn't working?

If you feel that your currently prescribed medical cannabis option or dosage size isn't cutting it in terms of symptom management, the first step is to talk to your doctor.

All of the clinicians working with us at Releaf are leaders in their respective fields and have experience with both medical cannabis and conventional medicine. We work hard to ensure that our patients are provided with the most effective treatment options for their specific health needs from the beginning of their medical cannabis journey, but as we said above, finding the right balance can sometimes take a little time.

Our approach at Releaf is always evidence-based, and the team works together to ensure that you have the right support and information to help you get the most out of your medical cannabis treatment. Check out our blog and education hub to stay fully informed.

Feel free to contact our Patient Support Team at support@releaf.co.uk, or head over to your Patient Portal to book a follow-up consultation with your doctor if your medication isn't providing the relief you need or if you have any other queries or concerns.

If you experience any unwanted side effects after taking your medication, it's also important to contact your doctor. They can assess the situation and determine if a change in dosage or treatment is necessary. If you are in an emergency situation, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.