Cannabinoid, Dronabinol, Seen as Long-term Treatment Option for Neuropathic Pain in Phase 3 Study

Source Multiple Sclerosis News Today:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients being treated with dronabinol, a cannabinoid, do not show signs of drug abuse or dependency, leading researchers to conclude it has potential to be a long-term and safe treatment option for neuropathic pain.

The issue of pain management, specifically central neuropathic pain (CNP), in patients with autoimmune disorders such as MS is largely unresolved. Dronabinol, whose active compound comes from medical cannabis, is often used to ease nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It may also treat chronic pain and has been investigated in a few clinical trials.

But its use remains controversial because of concerns with, and lack of data about, its psychotropic side effects and potential for dependency.  Read on.