Can you get CBD on prescription? It is unlikely in England and Wales. Buying without a prescription enables you to access a wider range of CBD products. Answers to the key questions: How to get CBD on prescription? Who’s eligible? What products are available? How different are these to CBD supplements?
Can you get CBD on prescription?
Cannabidiol, CBD, is an essential component of medical cannabis; it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant. It is just one of hundreds of components in marijuana, meaning CBD alone does not cause a “high”. CBD oil is natural and safe, and users have claimed it enhances the condition of their skin, aids good digestion and improves their mood.
Other possible long-term benefits, for example maintaining brain health or protecting against bone disease, are among the reasons why this product is gaining popularity.
Very few people in England and Wales are likely to get CBD on prescription as a cannabis based medicine. So far, the Government has approved two cannabis-based medicines that can be prescribed by a doctor: Epidyolex and Sativex.
Currently, they are likely only to be prescribed when all other treatments have proved not suitable or haven’t worked for certain medical conditions. These include rare, severe forms of epilepsy, vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy, people with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).
According to the WHO, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Prescribing medicines of cannabis-based products is restricted to clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council, and any decision to prescribe must consider GMC guidance and the relevant NHS Trust governance procedures for unlicensed medicines.
As well as the medical conditions we mention above, according to extensive existing research, CBD can help with managing many other health disorders including:
Insomnia: If you have difficulty falling asleep, and staying asleep, you can lose motivation and become irritable. Regular administration of CBD can help with managing insomnia if you take a recommended dose shortly before bed.
Chronic Pain: This condition is typically caused by inflammation or damaged nerves, often affecting the back, joints, and neck. CBD may help to reduce pain by acting on a variety of biological processes in the body by acting as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic. CBD may also reduce the anxiety associated living with chronic pain often experience.
Acne: CBD oil may help reduce various types of acne due to its ability to adjust how the body creates sebum, the waxy, oily substance the skin makes. CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, and aids sebum to protect our skin from the outside world.
Anxiety: Anxiety disorders are prevalent throughout the world. Stress, trauma and drug abuse are just some of the causes of this condition, but regular CBD ingestion can help manage it naturally by activating some serotonin receptors, and the serotonin system is associated with alleviating anxiety.
How to take Honey Heaven’s Organic CBD Products
Honey Heaven’s CBD products are the purest in the industry. Our process makes our CBD products to stand out from the crowd by providing the highest health benefits. Our high standards of purity and potency deliver only the best quality cannabis based medicinal products.
CBD works in the body by interacting with our endocannabinoid system. Each person’s biochemistry reacts differently so if you haven’t taken it before, it’s best to start on a low dosage and gradually increase it. An effective dose can start at 5 mg per day, and Government guidelines state you should stay within a maximum of 75 mg per day.
You can find out what works best for you by starting with a small dose. Do not start immediately with a high dose, because you will never know if a lower dose would have been effective. Our range starts with 1000mg Full Spectrum CBD Extract 10ml boosted with pure CBD DISTILLATE (10%) increasing to a super high concentrate 5000mg Full Spectrum CBD Extract 10ml (50%) HIGHEST STRENGTH.
There are two ways in which you can increase the dose: You can take more drops, or you can take the same number of drops of a higher potency CBD oil. By beginning with just a few drops per day of a low potency oil, and then working your way up will avoid unnecessary expenditure.
The benefits of buying CBD oil without a prescription
The Government policy in the UK makes getting CBD on prescription unobtainable and limiting, which is why most people buy CBD directly instead. Buying without a prescription enables you to access a wider range of CBD products, and gain experience as a user to work out what’s right for you.
What is the difference between THC and CBD? CBD oil comes from the flowers of the cannabis plant and does not contain the psychoactive substance THC. Cannabis oil comes from the flowers, leaves and stalks of the cannabis plant. It can be sold in the UK as a food supplement but not as a medicine.
All our CBD medicinal products are manufactured in the UK under the best and highest conditions possible for those that are not prescribed CBD. Our quality control program is strict and detailed, with the phytonutrient content confirmed and certified by independent laboratory tests.
Are there any side effects of taking CBD?
CBD based medicine is normally well-tolerated, but like any other ingested substance, it can cause side effects. Some consumers of CBD may experience unwanted results such as such as dry mouth, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. There is some evidence that CBD can also interact with other medicines you’re taking, such as blood thinners, so it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or the person prescribing medical CBD.
Can you get CBD on prescription?
CBD is available on prescription in the UK, but the process can be time consuming and expensive. The latest National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines have prevented the NHS from supplying anything but a small selection of licensed cannabis-based products.
However, the introduction of several private cannabis clinics means that a range of CBD and cannabis products can be prescribed if a specialist doctor believes it’s the only practical option.
CBD products on this site are sold as food supplements. They are not intended to assist with the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or cure of any disease, ailment or medical condition. Any statements provided on this site are for information only and do not constitute medical advice. Read our full legal disclaimer for more information.
What products are available?
In the UK, cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans’ (CBPM) fall into two main categories.
Licensed CBPMs
These are medicines that have been trialled and approved by the MHRA for specified uses. There are three cannabis-based medicines licensed for use in the UK:
- Epidyolex (aka epidiolex) – This is a pharmaceutical preparation of CBD designed for oral consumption. It has 100mg per ml, which is about 10%. The pure CBD is mixed with sesame oil, dehydrated alcohol, strawberry flavour and sucralose. Specialists can only prescribe Epidyolex for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
- Sativex – This is a mouth spray produced from cannabis with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD. A specialist can prescribe it for moderate to severe cases of the muscle stiffness caused by Multiple Sclerosis.
- Nabilone – Also known as Cesamet, this is a synthetic cannabinoid that can be prescribed by a specialist if other medicines are unable to reduce the severity of the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Because these medicines are licensed, their use is strictly controlled. Unless you’re receiving specialist treatment for one of the conditions mentioned, you won’t get a prescription for them.
Unlicensed CBPMs
An unlicensed medicine hasn’t yet been through the authorisation process, or is being used for a different reason to that outlined in the license. Medications like this will only be prescribed after careful consideration by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. They must look at the evidence available and decide if an unlicensed medicine is the best option.
Despite the slightly worrying term ‘unlicensed’, these products are produced to strict MHRA standards and sourced from pharmaceutical companies. There may not be enough evidence to apply for a license, but they won’t be prescribed unless the prescriber has weighed up all the options.
Unlicensed cannabis-based medications available in the UK include:
- Cannabis flower
- Hemp flower
- Cannabis oil
- CBD oil (doctors can prescribe higher daily amounts than is allowed by the current FSA guidance for CBD food supplements.)
- Capsules
- Sprays
- THC and CBD products for vaporising
If you receive a prescription for an unlicensed cannabis-based medication, the type and cannabinoid content of what you receive will depend on what your specialist doctor thinks is appropriate for your condition. They will write the prescription and the pharmacy will try to source it. With several specialist cannabis clinics opening in the UK, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to find a pharmacy that can fill your prescription.
Who is eligible for a prescription?
You’re eligible for a prescription for a CBPM or CBD oil if a specialist doctor believes that it’s the most appropriate medication for your condition. This is likely to be after you’ve tried several other options and your remaining choices are limited.
However, you’re only likely to receive a prescription from a private specialist doctor or a cannabis clinic. This is because NHS doctors follow the guidelines outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These currently recommend that:
- Doctors should not prescribe CBD or THC for chronic pain.
- Nabilone may be used for specific cases of nausea and vomiting.
- Sativex is appropriate for some adults with MS.
- Epidiolex should only be used as part of a scientific study.
How can I get a prescription?
If you’ve exhausted all other options to treat your condition, you can book a consultation with a private specialist doctor or cannabis clinic. Although any doctor on the special register of the General Medical Council can legally prescribe CBPM, some may be reluctant to and might not have access to pharmacists who can fill the prescription. The best option is cannabis clinics staffed by specialist doctors who can guide you through the process and fill your prescription.
In most cases, the cost of a private consultation, repeat appointments and medication can range from a total of between £200 to £450 per month. The medicine itself is costly because multiple companies are involved from farming to production and delivery. At each stage, extra costs are added, resulting in an expensive end product. However, there are now a small number of companies who own every step of the process so are able to keep the costs down.
Although the process differs with each clinic, these are the likely steps involved:
- Find a clinic. Several options can easily be found on Google.
- Visit their website and complete the online form. They will likely want to collect personal and medical details, including permission to access your records.
- If you’re accepted to the next stage, you should receive information on how to pay for and book an appointment.
- Attend the appointment. This will be with a specialist doctor and may be over the phone or in person. It will likely involve a discussion about your condition and possible treatment.
- If they decide to prescribe you a CBPM, they will talk you through the options, including possible strengths and strains. If you want a CBD-only product such as CBD oil you can discuss this with the doctor at this point.
- Most clinics will now pass your prescription to their pharmacy who will contact you to arrange payment.
What is the difference between prescribed CBD and CBD food supplements?
CBD oils and other products with concentrations ranging from 1% to 50% are already legal and available in the UK. There are also many brands whose products undergo third-party lab tests and meet high quality and safety standards.
The difference with prescribed CBD is that a doctor will match a specific product and strength to your diagnosis. Because it’s an unlicensed medicine, they aren’t bound by the same restrictions as retailers are for food supplements. They can prescribe daily amounts that could even be as much as 1000mg if they consider it necessary. They could even prescribe a product with a higher level of THC if they believe that it’s the best course of action for you.
Currently, prescription CBD oils are likely to be slightly more expensive than food supplements and they have the additional cost of private doctors’ appointments. However, clinics and suppliers are working together to bring the prices down and make it more accessible for those who need it.
Conclusion
Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, it’s taken a disappointingly long time for genuine patients to be able to access the treatment they need. However, now things are moving faster. If you go private, you can get an appointment with a specialist doctor with the ability to prescribe CBD oils and cannabis-based medications.