Cannabidiol to treat pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pilot)

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This double‑blinded, placebo‑controlled crossover pilot randomizes 12–20 adults with mild-to-moderate diabetic peripheral neuropathy to receive either CBD isolate, full‑spectrum CBD, or placebo delivered as an oral MCT‑oil tincture. Each participant completes two sequential 6‑week treatment phases with dosing at 50 mg twice daily (100 mg/day). The trial operates under an FDA IND and emphasizes methodological endpoints to inform larger trials while also measuring changes in neuropathic pain and quality of life. Safety monitoring includes liver function tests and exclusion criteria for significant cardiovascular or systemic illness.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult aged 40 to 70 years
2. Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
3. Ambulatory and independently living adult
4. Minimum body weight of 50 kg (to ensure daily dose ≤2 mg/kg)
5. Physical exam completed within the previous 6 months
6. Liver Function Studies (ALT and AST) completed within the previous six months showing normal values
7. If NAFLD is present, ALT and AST levels are ≤2 times the Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)
8. DN4 questionnaire results indicate mild to moderate DPN
9. Nerve Conduction Test (NCT) confirms at least mild DPN
10. Signed ICF/Screening Consent
11. Able to complete required questionnaires (adequate vision)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. High-risk or severely ill individuals (e.g., high risk for general anesthesia, significant limitations due to heart/lung disease, ascites, renal failure, loss of limbs from diabetic complications)
2. Uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease (e.g., unstable angina, uncontrolled heart failure, recent myocardial infarction)
3. History of atrial fibrillation, dysrhythmias, MI within the previous 2 years, or stroke
4. Severe respiratory illness (e.g., uncontrolled asthma, COPD with frequent exacerbations, oxygen dependence)
5. Severe or uncontrolled liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, active viral hepatitis A, B, or C, autoimmune hepatitis, uncontrolled primary biliary cholangitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis)
6. Elevation of liver enzymes (ALT or AST) exceeding 2 times the ULN, or bilirubin exceeding the ULN
7. Severe or uncontrolled kidney disease (e.g., end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, uncontrolled nephrotic syndrome)
8. History of malignancy within the past 5 years (excluding certain low-risk non-melanoma skin cancers)
9. History of a seizure disorder
10. Blindness (poor vision preventing questionnaire completion)
11. Known allergy or previous adverse reaction to any ingredient, including natural strawberry flavoring
12. Reproductive Health (Women Only)
13. Currently pregnant or lactating
14. Women who can get pregnant who are not using acceptable methods of birth control
15. Current uncontrolled mental health conditions (e.g., major depressive episode with active suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder with current manic/hypomanic episode, or psychosis)
16. Diagnosis of a major depressive episode with active suicidal ideation and/or a plan to attempt suicide within the previous 5 years
17. Attempted suicide in the last 10 years
18. C-SSRS Suicide Ideation Subscore ≥5 at study onset
19. HADS-D score ≥15 at study onset
20. Used cannabis products in the past 30 days
21. Current use or history of illicit drug use or misuse of prescription medications within the previous 5 years
22. Heavy drinking (≥8 drinks/week for women; ≥15 drinks/week for men)
23. Taking medications that are known to cross-reacting with CBD or Cannabiods

Where it's running

• the FSU TMH Family Practice Residency Program
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Philip R Treadwell, PharmD
• Email: phillip.treadwell@tmh.org
• Phone: 850-431-5714

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.