Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of orally administered cannabinoids in MS.

Author(s): Killestein J, Hoogervorst EL, Reif M, Kalkers NF, Van Loenen AC, Staats PG, Gorter RW, Uitdehaag BM, Polman CH

Affiliation(s): Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. J.Killestein@vumc.nl

Publication date & source: 2002-05-14, Neurology., 58(9):1404-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, twofold crossover study in 16 patients with MS who presented with severe spasticity to investigate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of oral Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabis sativa plant extract. Both drugs were safe, but adverse events were more common with plant-extract treatment. Compared with placebo, neither THC nor plant-extract treatment reduced spasticity. Both THC and plant-extract treatment worsened the participant's global impression.