Who do we treat & what do we prescribe?

The clinicians who make up Lyphe’s network of prescribing doctors treat patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, symptoms and disorders across all ages and genders. Medicinal cannabis has such incredible pharmaceutical potential, there’s almost no limit on its benefits, no matter how complex or rare a condition may be. With this in mind, let’s take a detailed look at exactly who our patients are and how we treat them:

Which conditions do we treat?

By breaking down the diagnoses of our patients, it’s clear that the overwhelming majority suffer from pain conditions, including chronic pain, regional pain and named disorders such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and spinal cord injuries. However, what should be noted is that pain is often a complex condition and will present as a symptom alongside other diagnoses such as spasticity and anxiety. As a result, many of our patients are treated for multiple diagnoses.

Anxiety accounts for another 21%; a condition which is often co-morbid with depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). In this category, social anxiety, insomnia and even eating disorders can be treated with cannabinoid medications.

A further 10% of our patients suffer from epilepsy. When the use of medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, the very first cannabinoidal medication (prescribed by our own clinical director — Professor Michael Barnes!) was given to a young boy suffering from PCHD-19, which is a rare type of epilepsy that can result in up to 30 seizures a day. This disorder, alongside many other forms of epilepsy, does not respond well to traditional medications but can be treated extremely effectively with medical cannabis.

Our patients also suffer from disorders which fall under the oncological, psychiatric and gastroenterological categories. Whilst it’s not always easy to define complex diagnoses, our team of expert doctors, who are specialists within their respective fields, are here to provide the highest-quality care to every single patient.

What do we prescribe?

Your treatment will follow an assessment consultation; after an initial appointment, patients discuss a treatment plan with their prescribed clinician which works for them and their lifestyle as it’s important to always take into account pre-existing medications and activity cycles. There is no ‘one size fits all’ — every case is fully-assessed to ensure the most effective results. 90% of all of our initial appointments will result in a prescription.

38% of our patients report that they have previously tried managing their conditions with illegal cannabis which, because of its unknown and greatly-varying levels of THC (the psychoactive substance found within cannabis), can be incredibly dangerous. A further 16% also said they had bought over-the-counter CBD oils. These unregulated products pose their own risks and are often completely ineffectual as medical treatments.

We prescribe 66% of our patients oil-based medications, which can come in the form of capsules, tinctures and even topical lotions. The specific dosage and strain depends on the conditions and symptoms the patient presents but any medication we prescribe is legal, safe and fully-regulated.

Cannabis flower-based medications and over-the-counter products can also be prescribed. In order to provide the most effective treatment possible, our specialists are committed to guiding and supporting patients through the entire treatment process and provide medication adjustments where required.

What are the results?

Once they have begun treatment, the overwhelming majority of our patients report good results. To be more specific, in follow-up appointments:

• 47% of patients will continue with their prescribed medication
• 19% continue on a higher dose
• 19% will be prescribed a slightly different product or strain in order to maximise their treatment’s effectiveness

Patients usually report significant improvements in their conditions and symptoms with little or no side-effects, especially compared to traditional medications they have used in the past.

If you would like to learn more, you can read through our full range of conditions. We accept all patients, whether you are referring yourself or another person. To book your first appointment, simply book using our form.