MARIJUANA MAY EASE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
A new guideline from
the American Academy of Neurology suggests that there is little evidence that
most complementary or alternative medicine therapies (CAM) treat the symptoms
of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the guideline states the CAM therapies
oral cannabis, or medical marijuana pills, and oral medical marijuana spray may
ease patients' reported symptoms of spasticity, pain related to spasticity and
frequent urination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The guideline, which is
published in the March 25, 2014, print issue of Neurology the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, states that there is not enough evidence to show whether smoking marijuana is helpful in treating MS symptoms.
The guideline looked
at CAM therapies, which are nonconventional therapies used in addition to or
instead of doctor-recommended therapies. Examples include oral cannabis, or
medical marijuana pills and oral medical marijuana spray, ginkgo biloba,
magnetic therapy, bee sting therapy, omega-3 fatty acids and reflexology.
"Using different
CAM therapies is common in 33 to 80 percent of people with MS, particularly
those who are female, have higher education levels and report poorer
health," said guideline lead author Vijayshree Yadav, MD, MCR, with Oregon
Health & Science University in Portland and a member of the American
Academy of Neurology. "People with MS should let their doctors know what
types of these therapies they are taking, or thinking about taking."
For most CAM
therapies, safety is unknown. There is not enough information to show if CAM
therapies interact with prescription MS drugs. Most CAM therapies are not
regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dronabinol and nabilone
are synthetic forms of key ingredients in marijuana. The FDA approved both
drugs as treatments for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy
that do not respond to standard treatments. Dronabinol also is approved for
loss of appetite associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS.
The guideline found
that certain forms of medical marijuana, in pill or oral spray form only, may
help reduce patients' reported spasticity symptoms, pain due to spasticity, and
frequent urination but not loss of bladder control. The therapy may not help reduce
tremor. Long-term safety of medical marijuana use in pill or oral spray is not
known. Most of the studies are short, lasting six to 15 weeks. Medical
marijuana in pill or oral spray form may cause side effects, some of which can
be serious. Examples are seizures, dizziness, thinking and memory problems as
well as psychological problems such as depression. This can be a concern given
that some people with MS are at an increased risk for depression or suicide.
Both doctors and patients must weigh the possible side effects that medical
marijuana in pill or oral spray form can cause.
Among other CAM
therapies studied for MS, ginkgo biloba might possibly help reduce tiredness
but not thinking and memory problems. Magnetic therapy may also help reduce
tiredness but not depression.
Reflexology might
possibly help ease symptoms such tingling, numbness and other unusual skin
sensations. Bee sting therapy, a low-fat diet with fish oil, and a therapy
called the Cari Loder regimen all do not appear to help MS symptoms such as
disability, depression and tiredness. Bee stings can cause a life-threatening
allergic reaction and dangerous infections.
Moderate evidence
shows that omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil likely do not reduce relapses,
disability, tiredness or MRI brain scan lesions, nor do they improve quality of
life in people with MS.
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