Synthetic marijuana helps cancer patients
MrBrian
Posts: 2,672
By Deena Beasley
Fri Dec 15, 6:03 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A synthetic version of the active ingredient in marijuana, a legal treatment for nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, also helps symptoms like pain, anxiety and depression, according to research presented on Friday.
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"The findings show how great the potential is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients," said lead investigator Dr. Vincent Maida of the University of Toronto.
The 139-patient study involved a drug called nabilone, sold under the brand name Cesamet by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. It has been available in Canada for years, and was approved in May by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional anti-nausea treatments.
The drug is part of a class known as cannabinoids that are similar to the active ingredient found in naturally occurring cannabis, or marijuana.
Depression and anxiety were also reduced significantly in the nabilone group, but increased in the non-cannabinoid group, according to the study, which was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
"There are no other drugs that are as broad-spectrum as cannabinoids. By using them, we can reduce the use of other drugs which are riskier, burdensome and expensive," Maida said.
Side effects of Cesamet include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and euphoria.
But Valeant's sales of the drug totaled just $7.3 million in the first half of this year.
"The issue is the stigma," Maida said. "There is some timidity on the part of practitioners to prescribe these drugs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061215/hl_nm/cancer_cannabis_dc
Fri Dec 15, 6:03 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A synthetic version of the active ingredient in marijuana, a legal treatment for nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, also helps symptoms like pain, anxiety and depression, according to research presented on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The findings show how great the potential is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients," said lead investigator Dr. Vincent Maida of the University of Toronto.
The 139-patient study involved a drug called nabilone, sold under the brand name Cesamet by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. It has been available in Canada for years, and was approved in May by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional anti-nausea treatments.
The drug is part of a class known as cannabinoids that are similar to the active ingredient found in naturally occurring cannabis, or marijuana.
Depression and anxiety were also reduced significantly in the nabilone group, but increased in the non-cannabinoid group, according to the study, which was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
"There are no other drugs that are as broad-spectrum as cannabinoids. By using them, we can reduce the use of other drugs which are riskier, burdensome and expensive," Maida said.
Side effects of Cesamet include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and euphoria.
But Valeant's sales of the drug totaled just $7.3 million in the first half of this year.
"The issue is the stigma," Maida said. "There is some timidity on the part of practitioners to prescribe these drugs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061215/hl_nm/cancer_cannabis_dc
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Comments
They needed to do a research experiment to figure that out?
As one who does cancer research I've always been a proponent of this drug. Hell, I wouldn't mind seeing some of my patients just toke it up from time to time to alleviate some of their horrible symptoms/side effects.
Ahhh, the wonders of a close-minded nation...
I know!
But hey, at least now we have some sorta paper work to back it up.
I wonder what the cost benefit analysis looks like with this drug vs. the real thing.
i agree, I'm glad physicians have this as an option.
synthetic canabinoids have been available since the 70's. where's everbody been?