Fwd: Marijuana-based Drug Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain

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http://www.newswise.com:80/articles/view/537783/

Source: American Pain

Society<http://www.newswise.com/institutions/view/?id=8144>

Released: Thu 14-Feb-2008, 09:00 ET

Marijuana-based Drug Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain *Libraries*

Medical News *Keywords*

THE JOURNAL OF PAIN, MEDICAL MARIJUANA

*Contact Information*

*Available for logged-in reporters only*

*Description*

Patients with fibromyalgia treated with a synthetic form of marijuana,

nabilone, showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety in a

first-of-its-kind study, published in The Journal of Pain.

Newswise — Patients with fibromyalgia treated with a synthetic form of

marijuana, nabilone, showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety in a

first-of-its-kind study, published in *The Journal of Pain *.

Fibromyalgia syndrome has no cure, is difficult to diagnose, and effective

pain management strategies are a must to help patients cope with the

disease. An estimated 12 million Americans have fibromyalgia, which is

characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain and myriad other symptoms.

The condition is far more prevalent in women and the incidence increases

with age, reaching 7 percent among women 65 years and older.

Forty subjects were selected for the nabilone trial, conducted by

researchers at the University of Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital. They were

divided into nabilone and placebo groups and were treated for four weeks.

The authors noted this was the first randomized, controlled-access trial to

evaluate nabilone for pain reduction and quality-of-life improvement in

fibromyalgia patients. Nabilone is one of two oral marijuana-based

compounds, known as cannabinoids, available in Canada and is approved for

treatment of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.

Results of the Manitoba study showed the nabilone group had significant

reductions in pain and anxiety, measured by comparisons with baseline scores

on the visual analogue scale for pain, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire

(FIQ) and the FIQ anxiety score. From the data, the study concluded nabilone

has significant benefits for pain relief and functional improvement in

fibromyalgia patients. Although the improvement was significant, none of the

nabilone-treated subjects had complete relief of their fibromyalgia

symptoms.

The drug was well tolerated by treated patients, which the authors

characterized as reassuring since fibromyalgia patients are sensitive to

most medications and have difficulty tolerating side effects. The downside,

however, is cost. In Canada, nabilone would cost about $4,000 for a year's

supply.

The authors believe their findings warrant consideration of nabilone as an

adjunct to current medical management of fibromyalgia.

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