Marijuana Chemical Reduces
Multiple Sclerosis Pain
July 16, 2004
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) -
Treatment with Marinol, a synthetic version of cannabinoid chemicals found
in marijuana, can reduce the pain often experienced by people with multiple
sclerosis (MS), new research suggests.
The findings, which appear in the British Medical Journal, are based on a
study of 24 MS patients with pain who were
treated with Marinol or inactive "placebo" for 3-week periods.
Dr. Flemming W. Bach and colleagues, from Aarhus University Hospital in
Denmark, found that Marinol was significantly better than placebo at
lowering pain intensity and increasing pain relief.
In terms of quality of life, Marinol appeared to offer a benefit over
placebo in reducing bodily pain and improving mental health. No change in
functional ability was seen with Marinol or placebo.
Marinol was more likely than placebo to produce side effects, particularly
during the first week of treatment, the authors note. The most common side
effects included dizziness, headache, and tiredness.
"The pain reduction seen in this study is comparable to the effect of other
drugs" used in the treatment of related pain conditions, the authors state.
Marinol "should be available for patients whose central pain is not
sufficiently treated with alternative drugs such as anticonvulsants,
antidepressants, or opioids," they add.
SOURCE: British Medical
Journal, July 16th online issue, 2004.