Cannabis-based medicine reduces cancer pain
Preliminary results of a phase III trial of the cannabis-based medicine Sativex have shown the product to be effective in reducing pain associated with cancer, according to GW Pharmaceuticals, the company developing the drug.
In a randomised controlled trial 177 patients with severe cancer pain
were randomised to Sativex (containing tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and
cannabidiol), a THC-rich extract or placebo, all administered in the
form of an oral spray. Patients remained on their existing analgesic
medication.
The company says that approximately 40 per cent of the patients on Sativex
reported a pain improvement of greater than 30 per cent (P=0.024). No
significant effect on pain was observed with the THC-rich extract.
GW Pharmaceuticals has applied to the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency for a UK licence and the application is under review.
At the end of last year the Committee on Safety of Medicines requested
more evidence on
the effectiveness of the drug for spasticity associated
with multiple sclerosis (PJ, 11 December 2004, p840). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader