Studies have shown that cannabinoid...

Studies have shown that cannabinoids have limited benefit in the management of acute pain moreover may be efficacious in controlling spasticity and neuropathic pain. Moreover, newer cannabinoids may have fewer psychotropic efficiencys Karst and colleagues assessed the efficacy and safety of 1',1'Dimethylheptyl-[[DELTA].sup.8]-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid (CT-3) a synthetic analog of tetrahydrocannabinol, in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.

The consideration included 21 patients 29 to 65 years of age who had a clinical presentation and examination consistent with chronic neuropathic pain with hyperalgesia and allodynia. The five-week trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover application of mind Weeks 1 and 4 were baseline weeks, weeks 2 and 5 were intervention weeks, and week 3 was a washout period. Patients were randomized to receive CT-3 or placebo, and pain was measured using a visual analog scale and a verbal rating scale in the morning and the afternoon of each treatment day.

Of the 21 patients, 10 initially received CT-3 and 11 received placebo; after crossover this relationship was revers deductions of the testing conducted in the morning (three hours after intake of the subject of attention drug) showed significant reduction in pain scores and a tough tendency toward significant pain reduction as measured through mean differences in visual analog scale and verbal rating scale above time. The afternoon results (eight hours after morning intake of the close attention drug) demonstrated less marked issues The most common reported adverse general intents were tiredness and dry aperture but patients also had decreased concentration, dizziness, more pain, and sweating.

This contemplation shows that CT-3, given in daily dosages of 40 and 80 mg is more effective than placebo in the treatment of neuropathic pain, with greater pain-reducing results at three hours after intake than at eight hours. The amount of pain reduction is greater in patients with lower baseline pain on a levels This finding is consistent with the observation that mild pain is easier to cut down than severe pain.

CAROLINE WELLBERY, MD

Karst M et al. Analgesic import of the synthetic cannabinoid CT-3 forward chronic neuropathic pain. A randomized controll trial. JAMA October 1 2003;290:1757-62

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group