Nabilone (Cesamet): Synthetic THC For Neuropathy

Today's post from thedailychronic.net (see link below) looks at the results of a trial involving nabilone, which is a synthetic THC product (active element in cannabis). It concludes that not only does nabilone reduce neuropathic pain but it is also well-tolerated by patients. Now that more and more versions of cannabis products are being tested and approved, there's much less of a reliance on smoked cannabis being the only effective option. As cannabis starts to get a much better press thanks to its pain relieving qualities, more research is being done and better products are emerging. Worth discussing the option with your doctor,  providing of course that he or she is sympathetic to medical cannabis and your region's laws allow it. It's surely only a matter of time before cannabis is seen to be the effective analgesic it deserves to be.

Synthetic THC Analogue Mitigates Diabetic Neuropathy, Is ‘Well Tolerated’ In Patients 
By NORML | National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
September 21, 2012 8:12 AM

CALGARY, AB — The oral administration of the synthetic THC analogue nabilone (brand name: Cesamet) mitigates neuropathic pain and is well tolerated, according to clinical trial data published online by the scientific journal Pain.

Investigators at the University of Calgary, Department of Neurosciences assessed the use of nabilone versus placebo in patients with diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain) in a randomize, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Researchers administered daily oral doses of nabilone to 37 participants in combination with their existing medications for a period of four weeks. Twenty-six of the initial 37 subjects achieved pain relief greater than 30 percent during this period. Those subjects who responded favorably to nabilone treatment continued to receive either treatment or placebo for an additional five-week period.

Researchers reported that nabilone treatment of 2.9mg per day significantly reduced subjects’ pain compared to placebo, as well as participants’ level of anxiety. Improved sleep and patients’ overall quality of life was also positively associated with naboline treatment.

Authors concluded: “[N]abilone … was effective in relieving diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPN) symptoms, improving disturbed sleep, quality of life, and overall patient status. Nabilone was well tolerated and successful as adjuvant in patients with DPN.”

Neuropathy is a difficult to treat pain condition that is estimated to effect between five and ten percent of the population. A literature review of clinical trials data published in The Clinical Journal of Pain in March reported that cannabis and its organic compounds have been demonstrated to be safe and modestly effective treatments for neuropathy and other chronic pain conditions. Other studies have also reported that the use of cannabis augments the analgesic effects of opiates, potentially allowing users to eventually reduce their use of opioid drugs.






NORML

NORML's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2012/12330/synthetic-thc-analogue-mitigates-diabetic-neuropathy-is-well-tolerated-in-patients/