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Home > News Archive > 2006 > Cannabis Spray Reduces Pain, Spasticity, And Incontinence, Trial Data Says
Cannabis Spray Reduces Pain, Spasticity, And Incontinence, Trial Data Says
October 5, 2006 - London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom: Clinical trial data presented at the 22nd Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and at the 10th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) demonstrates that the administration of cannabis extracts can reduce feelings of neuropathic pain, as well as spasticity and incontinence in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other diseases.
Investigators at the EFNS conference reported that subjects who continue their use of cannabis extracts long-term maintain reductions in pain, spasticity, and bladder dysfunction, as well as improvements in sleep quality for periods of up to 100 weeks. Researchers evaluated the long-term use of Sativex, an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts, compared to placebo in 507 patients who elected to continue using the drug in an extended, open label clinical trial. Subjects who participated in the follow-up trial did not report developing tolerance to Sativex, and most characterized the drug's side effects as being mild or moderate in severity.
Separate trial data presented this week at ECTRIMS also reported that Sativex administration significantly reduces MS-associated spasticity and has a positive impact on MS-associated incontinence and nocturia.
Clinical trial data published earlier this year in The International Urogynecology Journal reported that both cannabis extracts and oral doses of THC reduced episodes of bladder incontinence in subjects by 38 percent and 33 percent respectively.
Sativex is currently available by prescription in Canada and on a limited basis in Spain and the United Kingdom for patients suffering from MS-associated neuropathy and other symptoms. European and UK regulators are currently reviewing a request to allow for the broader prescription use of the drug in Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands.
For more information, please visit: http://www.gwpharm.com/. Additional information on cannabinoids and incontinence is available in NORML's new report, "Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids," available online at: http://www.norml.org//index.cfm?Group_ID=7002.
updated: Oct 12, 2006
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