THC oil magistral preparation — custom cannabis extract from Swiss pharmacies
Individually prepared THC oils are the most flexible form of medical cannabis in Switzerland — concentration, carrier oil and CBD ratio per medical prescription.
Full-spectrum cannabis extract from flowers (not purely synthetic like dronabinol).
Typical concentrations: 10, 25 or 50 mg THC/ml (with or without CBD).
Carrier oils: MCT, olive or hempseed.
Price: 10 ml (25 mg/ml) CHF 150–250; monthly need CHF 200–500.
Titration like dronabinol; terpenes and cannabinoids boost entourage effect.
Full-spectrum oil vs. THC isolate
Full-spectrum THC oils contain, alongside THC, other cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN) and terpenes that can enhance therapeutic effect via the entourage effect.
Isolates (e.g. dronabinol) contain only pure THC — better standardisation, fewer side effects, but no entourage effect.
Concentrations and custom formulas
Standard concentrations: 10 mg/ml (initiation, children, sensitive patients), 25 mg/ml (mainstream), 50 mg/ml (high doses, palliative). Concentration set by the physician.
Ratio formulas: 1:1 THC/CBD, 2:1 THC-dominant, 1:2 CBD-dominant. Often used to balance therapeutic effect and psychoactive side effects.
Use and dosing
Starting dose: 1 drop (at 25 mg/ml = 1.25 mg THC) 1–2× daily. Weekly increase of 1–2 drops to effective dose.
Sublingual: hold 60 seconds under tongue → onset 15–45 minutes, duration 4–8 hours. With food: 30–90 minutes onset.
Price and availability
10 ml THC-oil bottle (25 mg/ml): CHF 150–250 in Swiss compounding pharmacies. At 15 mg/day maintenance, 10 ml lasts ~16 days — monthly cost CHF 250–500.
Preparation time: 3–7 business days after prescription receipt. Key compounding pharmacies: Bahnhofapotheke Langnau, Zur Rose pharmacies, specialised hospital pharmacies.
Insurance coverage
KVG: reimbursement analogous to dronabinol only with prior approval when conventional treatments have documented failure.
VVG supplementary insurance often covers more flexibly — check policy for 'magistral preparations' and 'off-SL' clauses.
What is the difference from dronabinol?
Dronabinol is synthetic and contains only THC. THC-oil magistral preparations are full-spectrum extracts from cannabis plants with additional cannabinoids and terpenes.
How long does THC oil last?
In a dark bottle stored cool: 6–12 months. Check the expiry date on the pharmacy label.
Can I add CBD to it?
Yes — the physician can prescribe a specific THC/CBD ratio (e.g. 1:1). The pharmacy prepares the oil accordingly.
Does insurance cover THC oil?
Basic insurance only with prior approval. Supplementary depends on policy clauses.
How much THC oil per month?
At average dose (15 mg/day, 25 mg/ml): ~20 ml/month. Low dose (5 mg/day): 10 ml every 25 days.
THC-oil magistral preparations are prescription-controlled narcotics. Use only under medical supervision.