Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer have long believed that smoking marijuana helps relieve their pain, but prescribing the illegal drug to patients has been fraught with problems. Now a British drug manufacturer may be on the verge of solving the dilemma by getting FDA approval for a medical marijuana mouth spray.
GW Pharmaceuticals says the drug, called Sativex, is sprayed into the mouth like a breath spray and delivers pure amounts of marijuana's active pain-relieving ingredients delta 9-THC and cannabidiol. A dosage meter monitors delivery which the company says gives maximum pain relief without the "high."
The company believes the drug is especially important in relieving the symptoms of MS, which according to the MS Society, has few effective treatments. Those that exist are plagued with side effects. GW Pharmaceuticals says side effects of Sativex can include dizziness, which usually disappears after a couple of weeks.
"Pain is also a common symptom of MS occurring in up to 86 percent of people with MS," says the company. "It is estimated that 50 percent of people with MS suffer from chronic neuropathic pain. Many individuals with neuropathic pain respond inadequately to current treatment options. As well as spasticity and pain, Sativex has also been shown to relieve bladder dysfunction."
Sativex is already approved for use in several countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Canada, and New Zealand. The company hopes to gain U.S. approval next year.