Cannabis potentially reduces recurrent episodes of hereditary angioedema

• Main Authors: Phumpattra Chariyawong, James Tarbox
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2017-01-01
• Series: Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles
• Subjects: hereditary angioedema, cannabis, anti-inflammatory
• Online Access: http://pulmonarychronicles.com/index.php/pulmonarychronicles/article/view/363

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease affecting an estimated 1 in 50,000 individuals in the United States.The clinical presentation involves recurrent episodes of angioedema, without urticaria or pruritus, in mucosal tissues of various organ systems. We present a case of HAE type II with concomitant use of cannabis that possibly decreased the frequency of his episodes of angioedema. Recent studies indicate that cannabis has an important role in regulating innate immunity and inflammatory responses through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. These effects might reduce episodes of angioedema, but more research is needed.