Repeat FAQ’s

As Australia’s leading and most cost effective service provider, our phone lines are generally busy with hundreds of calls each and every day.

There are several other options rather than waiting on hold.

One being email, you can contact us at support@cannvalate.com.au

You can chat to us via the chat function on our website at www.cannvalate.com.au.

Or existing patients can book in to speak with one of the team at a time that’s convenient here https://cannvalate.as.me/?calendarID=3484846

In Australia, the Commonwealth Department of Health regulates medicinal cannabis products through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Office of Drug Control (ODC).

Regulations are in place to ensure high-quality, consistent, and standardised medications are available for Australian consumers.

In order to understand the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, we need to understand the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating our internal bodily functions and maintaining a state of balance (homeostasis). This includes sleep, appetite, reproduction, memory, inflammation, mood and many other things.

The endocannabinoid system is made of three main parts:

• Endocannabinoids are the body’s own version of cannabis compounds;
• Receptors aid absorption and mediate the effects of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids; and
• Enzymes regulate the breakdown of endocannabinoids after completing their function.

Endocannabinoids occur naturally in our bodies. Phytocannabinoids are found in plants like the cannabis plant and can mimic the action of endocannabinoids.

Medicinal cannabis has been approved for over 100 various medical conditions in Australia.  However, approvals are granted on a case by case basis depending on a patient’s symptoms, circumstances and needs.

Some common conditions include:

• Chronic pain
• Anxiety
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• Refractory paediatric epilepsy
• Palliative care indications
• Cancer Pain
• Sleep conditions
• Neuropathic pain
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Fibromyalgia
• and many others.

To understand whether you may be eligible for medicinal cannabis therapy, please speak to one of our qualified doctors or team of experts.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information on cannabis medicine and prescribing medicinal cannabis in Australia, please visit https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents

 

In general, medicinal cannabis can be used in a wide range of conditions.

However, the following conditions are not compatible with medicinal cannabis, or certain forms of this:

• Allergy, or hypersensitivity to cannabis or parts of the medication (e.g. the carrier oil)
• Patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
• Patients with certain psychiatric conditions (such as psychosis) and the use of THC

There are a number of medical cannabis formats including, oil in tincture format,  vape concentrate, oral spray and softgels and dried flower (bud)

Prescriptions can therefore be taken in a variety of ways:

Ingestion and sublingual: Oil, oral spray and softgels can all be ingested or administered sublingually (under the tongue). Their effects are typically felt in the first two hours of administration, lasting anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.

Inhalation: Dried flower and vape concentrate are inhaled. The effects are typically felt immediately, however it can take up to 30 minutes to reach full effect. Effects last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

Topical: Oils can also be added to lotions, gels or creams that can be applied topically. The effects are typically felt immediately depending on the application site. Effects last for 1 or 2 hours and need to be applied frequently.

Dosage, concentration, individual biological factors and method of consumption will all affect your response time to feeling the effects of medicinal cannabis.

You’ll need to speak with a prescribing doctor, we can organise that for you via this link https://cannvalate.as.me/?calendarID=3484846

We’ll do all that we can to connect you with the doctor that first consulted with you so you have the continuity of care.

You can discuss your current treatment and your preferences with the doctor.

 

Like all prescription medicines, medicinal cannabis products can have side effects for some patients.

These may include:

• fatigue and sedation
• vertigo / confusion
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• appetite increase or decrease
• dry mouth
• diarrhea
• convulsions
• feelings of euphoria (intense happiness) or depression
• hallucinations or paranoid delusions
• psychosis or cognitive distortion (having untrue thoughts)

The extent of side effects can vary with the type of medicinal cannabis product and between individuals.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information on cannabis medicine and prescribing medicinal cannabis in Australia, please visit https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents

The TGA has established quality standards for medicinal cannabis products known at TGO 93. Sponsors are generally companies who import, manufacture and supply medicinal cannabis products in Australia are required to adhere to them at all times.

Any patient with any medical condition can, in theory, be prescribed medicinal cannabis by their doctor, if they believe it is an appropriate therapy.

However, state regulations may be in place that limits prescriptions for certain conditions, to certain doctors or certain forms of medicinal cannabis.

Eligibility to be prescribed medicinal cannabis is assessed on an individual basis taking into account many factors in a patient’s history.  This is best conducted by a doctor experienced in medicinal cannabis assessment and prescribing.

Medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner with an appropriate approval. If a doctor is not authorised to prescribe medicinal cannabis products, he or she can refer their patient to one of our expert doctors .

Once applications are finalised and approved, all medicinal cannabis products are dispensed by a licenced pharmacist.

The cost of medicinal cannabis treatment varies, however most patients pay between $3 – $10 a day, depending on the nature of the condition being treated, the product required and the dosage of the required product.

Medicinal cannabis products are not currently subsidised by the Commonwealth Government.

Patients should not drive or operate machinery while being treated with medicinal cannabis. Patients should understand the implications for safe and legal driving before taking cannabis therapies.

We advise that patients receiving cannabinoid medication should not drive, work at heights, operate heavy machinery, or work in situations where intact reaction times are critical for safety. This is as treatment with cannabinoids can impact response times.

It is best to seek health professional advice when discussing issues around medication.  This includes specifics on medicinal cannabis, or your other medications.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information on cannabis medicine and prescribing medicinal cannabis in Australia, please visit https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents