Frequently Asked Questions

Prescriptions for Medical Cannabis can be written for patients for the following medical conditions, but only if the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments:

• Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
• Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
• Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.

Further information can be found at the central portal for government services and information.

Medical Cannabis Access Programme – GOV.IE

Currently, CBD products brought over the counter are not fully regulated, therefore inconsistencies in quality and ingredients can be found. In 2019 the Centre for Medical Cannabis (CMC) commissioned an analysis of 29 CBD the over-the-counter products and only 11 had CBD content within 10% of that advertised on the bottle while almost half had measurable levels of THC (average content 0.04%) or of another cannabinoid CBN (average content 0.01%), making the illegal in the UK.

Medical cannabis treatment effects patients and conditions in different ways and can sometimes depend on your past use of cannabis and the formulation you are prescribed. Generally, we will advise you to titrate your medical cannabis dose over 14 days, the improvement in your symptoms you experience may be gradual.

MyAccess Clinics advocate the use of medical cannabis oil for patients due to the longer duration of its effects and the evidence for its use. During your consultation our specialist will discuss with you the options and will find a treatment plan that works the best for you and your condition.

Extent of side effects depends on the type of medical cannabis and may vary between individuals.

Side effects associated with medical cannabis are usually mild, transient and associated more so with higher THC content products. Side effects from CBD-dominant products are generally less frequent.

Very Common

• Drowsiness/fatigue
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Cough, phlegm (smoking)
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Cognitive effects
• Appetite stimulation

Common

• Euphoria
• Blurred vision
• Headache

Uncommon

• Hypotension
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Ataxia
• Tachycardia
• Diarrhoea
• Cannabis hyperemesis

For further information with regards to specific products, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet (PiL) which should be inside the packaging of your medications for each product you are prescribed, if you are worried about side-effects speak to your clinician during your consultation.

Cannabis-based medicinal products are quality-controlled products with a standardized composition, taken under the direction of an informed healthcare professional. While studies on addiction and withdrawal in the context of medical cannabis are limited, evidence suggests that the incidence of addiction and withdrawal in patients taking cannabis-based medicinal products is low. Any withdrawal symptoms experienced by patients as a result of abruptly stopping their medication are generally mild and self-limiting.

Medical Cannabis may make you sleepy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication might affect you. For further information please visit: www.gov.ie

You must be prescribed medical cannabis under the current schemes either MCAP or Ministerial Licence to be permitted cannabis in Ireland.

When traveling aboard there may be restrictions on what you can take into the individual countries, we advise you contact the countries embassy for guidance.

If you are planning to travel abroad, please request a travel letter, however, this will only support your travel, it does not provide you with the permission to travel with medical cannabis.

Please give 7 working days for your request to be completed.

Some private health insurance companies may cover your consultation cost, we would recommend that you discuss this directly with them.

You can find our complaints leaflet here.

You can call us on +353 1 575 9875 and ask to speak to speak to the Business Manager

Once we have received your appointment booking, we will require some additional information.

With your consent, we will ask your doctor for a copy of your Medical history. We require this information to enable our specialist to make a comprehensive assessment of your suitability for medical cannabis treatment.

We will ask you to:

• Complete a patient assessment, which the consultant will use during your initial assessment.
• Upload photographic ID e.g driving licence/passport/disable parking badge, as we are required to check your identification.
• Consent to approach GP for medical and medicine history

You can usually see a doctor within 1 -5 days however this may depend on the clinic receiving additional information.

Once a referral has been received, our clinical team will review the information you have provided when booking an appointment and will request further information about your past medical history and treatment. We will ask your doctor for a copy of your medical history. ­

Once you have received your medication, please follow the 14 day titration guide provided with your medical cannabis.

Our team will contact you approximately 2 weeks after your 1st consultation, to check in with you. They will discuss your titration schedule, current daily dose of medical cannabis and answer any questions or concerns you have.

It is important to make a follow up appointment approximately one month after your initial appointment, this will be with your consultant. At this follow up appointment the consultant will discuss how to optimise your treatment going forward. You will both agree on your individual treatment plan.

Once you are on a stable dose of medical cannabis and your symptoms are under control, you will need to be seen in the clinic every 3 months, for a review and repeat of your medical cannabis prescription. We will apply for ongoing MCAP approval every 6 months.

MyAccess Clinics treatment pathway includes a follow up appointment every 3 months, to review your current medical cannabis treatment and your symptom control.

If you require a repeat prescription outside of your 3 monthly follow up appointment you will be asked to complete a Repeat Prescription Request form. There may a €30 charge for this repeat prescription, if you fall outside of the 3 monthly follow up appointments.

Each medicine bottle comes in its own cardboard box and contains 1 bottle of oil, a 1 mL reusable oral syringe, a bottle adapter (stopper), and a patient information leaflet. Always use your medication as directed by your doctor and in accordance with the patient information leaflet. If in doubt, please contact the clinic.

Step 1: Invert the bottle to lubricate the inside of the bottle neck. Remove the child-resistant cap by pushing down while turning the cap to the left (counter-clockwise).

Step 2: Remove the seal from the bottle.

Step 3: Push the adapter firmly into the bottle. Make sure it is fully inserted. Note: do not remove the adapter from the bottle after it is inserted.

Step 4: Tightly screw the child-resistant cap back on the bottle by turning the cap to the right (clockwise).

To take your medication

Step 1: Fully insert the tip of the oral syringe into the adapter.

Step 2: With the syringe in place turn the bottle upside down. Note: only the syringe tip is to be inserted into the adapter.

Forcing the syringe barrel into the adapter can cause small pieces to break off.

Step 3: Slowly pull the plunger of the syringe to withdraw the dose needed in mL following your titration schedule for each day.

Step 4: When you have measured the correct dose, leave the oral syringe in the adapter and turn the bottle right side up. Carefully remove the syringe from the adapter without depressing the plunger.

Step 5: Place the tip of the oral syringe against the inside of the cheek and gently push the plunger until the entire contents are emptied into the mouth.

Step 6: Place the screw cap back on the bottle and rinse the syringe and allow it to air dry.

Medical cannabis Oil preparations costs will vary depending on what product you use. Generally treatment costs between approximately €139 and €233 per month.