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Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Cannabidiol Supplement in Horses.
Abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD) products have gained popularity among horse owners despite limited evidence regarding pharmacokinetics. The purpose of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetic profile of multiple doses of an orally administered cannabidiol product formulated specifically for horses. A randomized 2-way crossover design was used. Seven horses received 0.35 or 2.0 mg/kg CBD per os every 24 hours for 7 total doses, separated by a 2-week washout. Plasma CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) daily through day 10, then on day 14 after beginning CBD administration. On the final day of CBD administration, plasma CBD and THC were quantified at multiple times. After administration of 0.35 mg/kg of CBD, the C of CBD was 6.6 ± 2.1 ng/mL while T was 1.8 ± 1.2 hour, whereas the C for THC was 0.7 ± 0.6 ng/mL with a T of 2.5 ± 1 hour. After administration of 2.0 mg/kg of CBD, the C of CBD was 51 ± 14 ng/mL with a mean T of 2.4 ± 1.1 hour and terminal phase half-life of 10.4 ± 6 hour, whereas the C of THC was 7.5 ± 2.2 ng/mL with a T of 2.9 ± 1.1 hour. Oral administration of a cannabidiol product at 0.35 mg/kg or 2.0 mg/kg once daily for 7 days was well-tolerated. Based on plasma CBD levels obtained, dose escalation trials in the horse evaluating clinical efficacy at higher mg/kg dose rates are indicated.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-12-17 PubMed ID: 34923070DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103842Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Veterinary
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper focuses on the study of the impact, quantity, and tolerability of cannabidiol (CBD) in certain dosages administered to horses. The scientists conducted this study to determine the pharmacokinetic profile, essentially the way the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes the CBD within a specific time period.
Research Design
- The study employs a randomized 2-way crossover design. In this setup, every horse received two different dosages of CBD, with a 2-week washout period included to eliminate previous CBD effects before the next dosage administration.
- The researchers tested two CBD dosages: 0.35 mg/kg or 2.0 mg/kg. The supplements were ingested orally by each horse every 24 hours, totaling seven doses.
Data gathering and methodology
- Assessment of the plasma levels of CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was performed using a procedure called liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This helped the scientists accurately quantify these substances.
- The plasma levels were determined daily until the 10th day and then again on the 14th day post-CBD administration.
- The final day of CBD administration had multiple measurements of plasma CBD and THC.
Results
- After administering 0.35 mg/kg of CBD, the average concentration (C) of CBD was 6.6 ± 2.1 ng/mL, with an average time (T) to reach this concentration being 1.8 ± 1.2 hours. The THC concentration was found to be 0.7 ± 0.6 ng/mL with a time of 2.5 ± 1 hour to reach that concentration.
- In the case of 2.0 mg/kg of CBD dosage, the concentration of CBD increased to 51 ± 14 ng/mL, and the time taken was 2.4 ± 1.1 hours. Here, the THC concentration increased to 7.5 ± 2.2 ng/mL with a time of 2.9 ± 1.1 hour.
- The half-life of this larger dosage in the terminal phase was 10.4 ± 6 hours.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- Both CBD dosages, 0.35 mg/kg, and 2.0 mg/kg, when administered once daily for seven days, were well tolerated by the horses, with no adverse effects observed.
- Based on plasma CBD levels obtained and the safe tolerance displayed by horses, the researchers suggest trial runs with higher dosages. These trials will help evaluate the administration rate, tolerability, and clinical efficacy of higher mg/kg dosage rates on a horse’s health and well-being.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams MR, Holbrook TC, Maxwell L, Croft CH, Ientile MM, Cliburn K.
(2021).
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Cannabidiol Supplement in Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 110, 103842.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103842 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078. Electronic address: megan.williams12@okstate.edu.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078; Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Cannabidiol
- Chromatography, Liquid / veterinary
- Cross-Over Studies
- Horses
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Eichler F, Poźniak B, Machnik M, Schenk I, Wingender A, Baudisch N, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Pharmacokinetic modelling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1234551.
- Cunha RZ, Felisardo LL, Salamanca G, Marchioni GG, Neto OI, Chiocchetti R. The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Vet Anim Sci 2023 Mar;19:100289.
- Leise JM, Leatherwood JL, Paris BL, Walter KW, George JM, Martinez RE, Glass KP, Lo CP, Mays TP, Wickersham TA. Evaluation of an Oral Supplemental Cannabidiol Product for Acceptability and Performance in Mature Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 10;13(2).
- Yau GTY, Tai W, Arnold JC, Chan HK, Kwok PCL. Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Brain Disorders: Therapeutic Potential and Routes of Administration. Pharm Res 2023 May;40(5):1087-1114.
- Boehnke KF, Häuser W, Fitzcharles MA. Cannabidiol (CBD) in Rheumatic Diseases (Musculoskeletal Pain). Curr Rheumatol Rep 2022 Jul;24(7):238-246.
- Ekstrand C, Michanek P, Hernlund E, Gehring R, Spjut K, Salomonsson M. Differences in Plasma Exposure of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiolic Acid Following Oral Administration to Horses. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2026 Jan;49(1):22-32.
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- Zamith Cunha R, Gobbo F, Morini M, Zannoni A, Mainardi C, D'arpe L, Gramenzi A, Chiocchetti R. Distribution of endocannabinoid system receptors in the equine hoof: dysregulation as a potential therapeutic target for laminitis. Histochem Cell Biol 2025 Jul 1;163(1):71.
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- Pinto K, Requicha JF. Cannabis sativa in veterinary medicine: Foundations and therapeutic applications. Can Vet J 2024 Sep;65(9):948-958.
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- Thomson ACS, McCarrel TM, Zakharov A, Gomez B, Lyubimov A, Schwark WS, Mallicote MF, Portela DA, Bisiau AL, Wakshlag JJ. Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of single-dose enteral cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid rich hemp in horses (Equus caballus). Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1356463.
- Koch N, Jennotte O, Lechanteur A, Deville M, Charlier C, Cardot JM, Chiap P, Evrard B. An Intravenous Pharmacokinetic Study of Cannabidiol Solutions in Piglets through the Application of a Validated Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of CBD and Its Carboxylated Metabolite in Plasma. Pharmaceutics 2024 Jan 20;16(1).
- Eichler F, Ehrle A, Machnik M, Jensen KC, Wagner S, Baudisch N, Bolk J, Pötzsch M, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M. Behavioral observations, heart rate and cortisol monitoring in horses following multiple oral administrations of a cannabidiol containing paste (part 2/2). Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1305873.
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