Marketed By: Bayer HealthCare in Canada and by Almirall in Europe (except in the United Kingdom).
Intended Use: For the treatment of muscle spasticity and neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis.
Profile of User: A person with multiple sclerosis in Canada who has been prescribed Sativex for the above reasons by their doctor. The drug is also available to some patients in Catalonia, Spain who either have multiple sclerosis, AIDS, or who have cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Although Sativex is a controlled drug in the U.K., it is available as an unlicensed medicine imported from Canada.
What It Is: A buccal spray consisting of the active ingredients delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (both from Cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant). The spray also contains ethanol anhydrous, propylene glycol, and peppermint oil, all of which are non-medical ingredients that help with the delivery of the drug.
How It Works: The active ingredients act at cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the central and peripheral nervous system. In terms of the drug’s effect on pain management, CB1 receptors are present in pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord and on the terminals of primary afferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system where they may mediate cannabinoid-induced analgesia.
History: - Marijuana has been used for thousands of years for a range of purposes including food and oil (from seeds), rope, pain relief, sleep aid, muscle spasms, to relieve nausea, control seizures, and to increase appetite. During the past century, recreational use of marijuana in the west increased and attitude towards the drug changed. In the early part of the 20th century, marijuana was outlawed in most western countries and years later it was also outlawed for any medical uses. - In the 1990’s in the UK, increasing numbers of MS patients were being brought to court under drug charges related to marijuana use. Typically, they received light sentences or the charges against them were dropped. The government became concerned about drug laws being brought in to disrepute and seemed to become more open to a pharmaceutical form of marijuana being developed for medical use. - Around this time, businessman Geoffrey Guy approached the U.K. government about developing a cannabis-based drug from cloned marijuana plants (which would give him exclusive rights to drugs developed from the particular plants). The government approved his proposal. - Through his new company, GW Pharmaceuticals, Guy bought several Sativex continued
- strains of cannabis that had high drug yields and by the late 1990’s had a crop of 5000 plants. The company decided to produce a spray that would be applied under the tongue in order to produce a consistent absorption rate. - In 2003, clinical trials began. Trials showed Sativex to significantly reduce pain experienced by MS patients and to a greater extent than any other medications currently marketed for that purpose. - In May 2004, Bayer agreed to market Sativex. - In Spring 2005, Health Canada approves Sativex for the treatment of multiple sclerosis pain. - 2006 The ms society uk appove 500 test subjects for canbiboid test in progressive RRMS, I (Dave!)have asked my ms nurse to be included in this test through my Dr Mottershed at manchester Hope hospital. Fingers crossed eh! Or maybe peace man!
Hmm could be good but I know something else which is working for me. Thanks sis with her healing hands. I will do an update with this tomorrow!
Name: personallog! Home: St. Annes, Lancashire, United Kingdom About Me:
I am 6ft 3" skinny and not well. I was diagnosed with ms in 2004 and I would like to speak with others who have ms. I have a want to raise money for ms charities. We have to find a cure for this hell!!!!
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