Prescribing Patterns and Quality of Life Outcomes of a Cannabis-Containing Traditional Thai Medicine (Tamrap Ya Suk Saiyas) in Patients with Insomnia: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Tamrap Ya Suk Sai-Yad is a cannabis-containing traditional Thai medicinal formulation indicated for improving sleep and stimulating appetite. This study aimed to describe its prescribing patterns and compare the patient quality of life before and after treatment. This prospective observational study was conducted in a real-world clinical setting (Actual Use Research) at the Thai Traditional and Integrative Medicine Hospital, Bangkok. A total of 262 patients who were prescribed Tamrap Ya Suk Sai-Yad between October 2021 and September 2022 were enrolled and followed up for 1 month. Quality of life was assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and EQ-5D-5L. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Most participants were male (56.87%) with a mean age of 53.75 ± 16.66 years. The primary indication was insomnia (81.68%) The most commonly prescribed dosage was 0.5 g per day, administered twice daily. ESAS scores significantly improved in most symptom domains (p < 0.05), except for drowsiness and loss of appetite. EQ-5D-5L utility scores increased from 0.64 ± 0.47 to 0.72 ± 0.37, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores increased from 68.80 ± 8.02 to 79.33 ± 7.68 (p < 0.05). Adverse events were reported in 12.97% of patients, The majority of adverse events were mild in severity, including drowsiness and somnolence. Tamrap Ya Suk Sai-Yad was associated with improved quality of life over a 1-month period, particularly among patients with insomnia. However, Further studies incorporating control groups and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the efficacy and to assess potential long-term side effects and adverse events associated with prolonged use.