Off-label use of cannabinoids efficacy and safety

• Autores: Julia Sánchez Gundín, M. Rubio-Valera, Lourdes Gómez Romero, Isabel Gómez Moreno, Amparo Flor García, Dolores Barreda Hernández
• Localización: European journal of clinical pharmacy: atención farmacéutica, ISSN 2385-409X, Vol. 19, Nº. 3, 2017, págs. 158-163
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objective: To assess the tolerability, efficacy and safety of delta-9-Tetrahydrocan- nabinol (THC)-cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of spasticity, painful spasms and/or neuropathic pain not secondary to multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: A retrospective, descriptive study (02/2012-02/2016) of patients with spasticity, painful spasms and/or neuropathic pain not secondary to MS and treated with THC-CBD. Variables collected: gender, age, drug therapy prior to THC-CBD, optimal daily dose and concomitant treatment with THC-CBD. Spasticity was assessed by ASHWORTH scale before and after initiation of cannabinoid, and safety by the emergence of adverse drug reactions. We also collected the length of treatment. Results: Nine patients (62% males, mean age 45 years). Most common diag-nosis was spastic paraplegia related to other diseases (89%) mean of prescribed drugs prior to THC-CBD: 2, most common were: botulinum toxin (78%) baclofen (66%) and tizanidine (44%) mean number of THC-CBD daily sprays: 6.44% of the treated patients were not prescribed with any other concomitant drug, and the remaining had a mean of two drugs, in addition to THC-CBD. ASHWORTH scale: Three-points at initial treatment, improving to two points following treatment. Safety: 67% patients experienced adverse reactions leading to the drug withdrawal in only one patient (intercurrent digestive infectious process). The most common was somnolence. At the end of the study, 67% patients remained on treatment with THC-CBD after a median of 25 months (5-43) and experienced no loss of efficacy. Conclusions: THC-CBD could be a treatment option for spasticity, painful spasms and/or neuropathic pain in patients not diagnosed with MS, who have not responded adequately to other conventional anti-spasticity therapies, being a safe and effective treatment choice