Abstract
In some parts of the world, medicinal cannabinoids have already been used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and wasting in diseases such as AIDS and terminal cancer. However, over the last several years, currently used cannabinoids, such as dronabinol, as well as newly developed cannabis-based medicines such as Sativex® (narrow ratio combination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), have been investigated for the treatment of spasticity, chronic pain, disruption of sleep and urinary dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Although some clinical trials have yielded positive results, others have not and there has been controversy regarding the use of subjective rating scales to measure pain and spasticity. Adverse side effects have been generally mild and transient; however, researchers and clinicians are still concerned about the prospect of long-term adverse side effects. This review will summarise and critically evaluate the currently available clinical trial data.
Keywords: Cannabinoids, cannabis, multiple sclerosis, pain, spasticity
Current Drug Therapy
Title: Will Medicinal Cannabinoids Prove to be Useful Clinically?
Volume: 2 Issue: 2
Author(s): Paul F. Smith
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cannabinoids, cannabis, multiple sclerosis, pain, spasticity
Abstract: In some parts of the world, medicinal cannabinoids have already been used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and wasting in diseases such as AIDS and terminal cancer. However, over the last several years, currently used cannabinoids, such as dronabinol, as well as newly developed cannabis-based medicines such as Sativex® (narrow ratio combination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), have been investigated for the treatment of spasticity, chronic pain, disruption of sleep and urinary dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Although some clinical trials have yielded positive results, others have not and there has been controversy regarding the use of subjective rating scales to measure pain and spasticity. Adverse side effects have been generally mild and transient; however, researchers and clinicians are still concerned about the prospect of long-term adverse side effects. This review will summarise and critically evaluate the currently available clinical trial data.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Smith F. Paul, Will Medicinal Cannabinoids Prove to be Useful Clinically?, Current Drug Therapy 2007; 2 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488507780619059
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488507780619059 |
Print ISSN 1574-8855 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3903 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Investigating Drug Repositioning Approach to Design Novel Prodrugs for Colon-specific Release of Fexofenadine for Ulcerative Colitis
Current Drug Delivery Assessment of Endothelial Function by Positron Emission Tomography
Current Cardiology Reviews Exhaled Breath Biomarkers in Asthmatic Children
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Biomarkers Determining Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Kidney Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Platelet Activation in Atherogenesis Associated with Low-Grade Inflammation
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Vascular Reactions of Iodinated X-Ray Contrast Media: Mechanisms and Possible Therapeutic Interventions
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Microdialysis in Neurointensive Care
Current Pharmaceutical Design Evaluating Oxidative Stress in Human Cardiovascular Disease: Methodological Aspects and Considerations
Current Medicinal Chemistry Aqueous Extract of Argania spinosa L. Fruits Ameliorates Diabetes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Regulatory Mechanism of the Gastric Hyperemic Response Following Barrier Disruption: Roles of Cyclooxygenase-1, the Prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub>/EP1 Receptor and Sensory Neurons
Current Pharmaceutical Design Trends in the Pharmacology of Inflammatory and Allergic Eye Disorders
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Effects of Atorvastatin on Cerebral Blood Flow in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Current Alzheimer Research Recurrent Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome Using Bosentan
Current Drug Safety Pathogenesis of Stroke-Like Episodes in MELAS: Analysis of Neurovascular Cellular Mechanisms
Current Neurovascular Research Shedding Light on the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia-Syndrome in the Era of Cardio-Obstetrics: Role of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction
Current Hypertension Reviews Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Associated Uveitis
Current Drug Safety Imaging Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Where Do We Stand?
Current Cardiology Reviews Free Radicals Generated by Post-Prandial Oxidative Burst in the Early Alterations of Vascular Contractility
Clinical Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Drugs (Discontinued) Biologics for Extraintestinal Manifestations of IBD
Current Drug Targets Pathogenesis of Acute Kidney Injury During Sepsis
Current Drug Targets