Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D.

Posted on July 8, 2016 by David

Health Affairs

“Legalization of medical marijuana has been one of the most controversial areas of state policy change over the past twenty years. However, little is known about whether medical marijuana is being used clinically to any significant degree. Using data on all prescriptions filled by Medicare Part D enrollees from 2010 to 2013, we found that the use of prescription drugs for which marijuana could serve as a clinical alternative fell significantly, once a medical marijuana law was implemented. National overall reductions in Medicare program and enrollee spending when states implemented medical marijuana laws were estimated to be $165.2 million per year in 2013. The availability of medical marijuana has a significant effect on prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27385238

“Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D” https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1661

Sativex Associated With Behavioral-Relapse Prevention Strategy as Treatment for Cannabis Dependence: A Case Series.

Posted on June 5, 2016 by David

“The current lack of pharmacological treatments for cannabis dependence warrants the use of novel approaches and further investigation of promising pharmacotherapy.

In this case series, we assessed the use of self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]/cannabidiol [CBD] combination) and motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (MET/CBT) for the treatment of cannabis dependence among 5 treatment-seeking community-recruited cannabis-dependent subjects.

THC/CBD metabolite concentration indicated reduced cannabis use and compliance with medication.

CONCLUSIONS:

In summary, this pilot study found that with Sativex in combination with MET/CBT reduced cannabis use while preventing increases in craving and withdrawal in the 4 participants completing the study. Further systematic exploration of Sativex as a pharmacological treatment option for cannabis dependence should be performed.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261670

The therapeutic use of cannabinoids: Forensic aspects.

Posted on April 6, 2016 by David

“Since 2013 in the Italian market has been introduced the Nabiximols, a drug containing two of the main active cannabinoids: Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). This drug has been approved in Italy in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is an oral spray formulation and each puff of 100μl contains 2.7mg of Δ⁹-THC and 2.5mg of CBD.

In the present study we analyzed urine and blood samples collected from a group of 20 patients treated with Nabiximols in order to evaluate: blood Δ⁹-THC concentrations in relation to the dose administered and the duration of treatment and the potentiality of this medication to be used for drug habit.

The study was conducted on a sample group of patients affected by MS, of both sexes, age: 49-61 years, treated with Nabiximols for short (28 days) or long-term.

The results of our study allow affirming that it is unlikely to use this medication for drug habit or to sale it in the black market because of the low blood concentrations available and of its high costs.

These statements were confirmed by: (a) the low Δ⁹-THC concentrations in the pharmaceutical formulation; (b) the low blood concentrations produced by Nabiximols administration, more than 10 times smaller than the blood concentrations known to produce psychotropic effects; (c) the presence of CBD (Δ⁹-THC natural antagonist); (d) the route of administration (inhaled, not smoked).”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27038587

Cannabis use improves retention and virological outcomes in patients treated for hepatitis C

Posted on November 15, 2015 by David

“Despite the widespread use of polypharmacy, the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment-related side-effects is often incomplete, and many patients turn to cannabis for symptom relief.

Our results suggest that modest cannabis use may offer symptomatic and virological benefit to some patients undergoing HCV treatment by helping them maintain adherence to the challenging medication regimen.”

http://journals.lww.com/eurojgh/Abstract/2006/10000/Cannabis_use_improves_retention_and_virological.5.aspx

The successful use of dronabinol for failure to thrive secondary to intestinal dysmotility.

Posted on May 15, 2015 by David

“Symptoms of severe intestinal dysmotility decrease patients’ quality of life and may prevent them from sustaining adequate oral intake. Dronabinol is a synthetic cannabinoid that is labeled for use in AIDS-related anorexia and chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting that has additional efficacy in patients with other etiologies of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.

PRESENTATION OF CASE:

We present a 58-year-old female with a history of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and inability to maintain oral intake after multiple laparotomies for ectopic pregnancy, recurrent caecal volvulus, and cholecystitis. After eight years of unsuccessful trials of medicines, dietary modifications, and a partial colectomy, she began a trial of dronabinol, which caused almost complete remission of her symptoms. When this medication was discontinued by her payer, she was unable to maintain oral intake and therefore, was admitted to the hospital for fluid resuscitation and resumption of dronabinol.

DISCUSSION:

The use of dronabinol in this patient with severe intestinal dysmotility allowed her to maintain her nutritional status orally and obviated the need for enteral or parenteral feeding. Unfortunately, it was not covered by her insurance company for this indication.

CONCLUSION:

Dronabinol has the potential to improve quality of life for patients beyond those undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from AIDS. Lack of access to this medicine for patients with intestinal dysmotility after all other modalities have been tried can lead to morbid and expensive complications, such as inpatient admission and surgery for enteral access.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25974259

“Our experience with this demonstrates that dronabinol can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain secondary to intestinal dysmotility where other modalities have failed.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446691/

Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Oral Cannabidiol When Administered Concomitantly With Intravenous Fentanyl in Humans.

Posted on March 10, 2015 by David

“Objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) is hypothesized as a potential treatment for opioid addiction, with safety studies an important first step for medication development. We determined CBD safety and pharmacokinetics when administered concomitantly with a high-potency opioid in healthy subjects.

Conclusions: Cannabidiol does not exacerbate adverse effects associated with intravenous fentanyl administration. Coadministration of CBD and opioids was safe and well tolerated. These data provide the foundation for future studies examining CBD as a potential treatment for opioid abuse.”

http://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Abstract/publishahead/Safety_and_Pharmacokinetics_of_Oral_Cannabidiol.99700.aspx

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination on damage, inflammation and in vitro motility disturbances in rat colitis

Posted on January 27, 2015 by David

“Cannabis is taken as self-medication by patients with inflammatory bowel disease for symptomatic relief.

Cannabinoid receptor agonists decrease inflammation in animal models of colitis, but their effects on the disturbed motility is not known. (-)-Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to interact with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in behavioural studies, but it remains to be established if these cannabinoids interact in vivo in inflammatory disorders.

Therefore the effects of CBD and THC alone and in combination were investigated in a model of colitis…

In this model of colitis, THC and CBD not only reduced inflammation but also lowered the occurrence of functional disturbances. Moreover the combination of CBD and THC could be beneficial therapeutically, via additive or potentiating effects.

As the two phytocannabinoids modulate the immune system and differ in their pharmacological profile, their combination could be more beneficial than either drug alone. Additionally CBD could not only potentiate the therapeutic effects of THC, but also attenuate some of its undesirable effects…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931570/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/colitis/

Advances in the management of multiple sclerosis spasticity: recent clinical trials.

Posted on October 4, 2014 by David

“Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience spasticity as the clinical course evolves. Associated symptoms include (often painful) spasms, urinary dysfunction and sleep disturbances. THC:CBD oromucosal spray (Sativex®) is approved for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe MS-related spasticity who have not responded adequately to other antispasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity-related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.

SUMMARY:

In pivotal clinical trials of THC:CBD oromucosal spray, a meaningful proportion of patients with treatment-resistant MS spasticity achieved clinically relevant improvement with active treatment versus placebo. The utility of a 4-week trial of therapy to identify patients who respond to treatment was demonstrated in an enriched-design study.

THC:CBD oromucosal spray was well tolerated in these studies, with no evidence of effects typically associated with recreational cannabis use.

In a subsequent post approval clinical trial, THC:CBD oromucosal spray had no statistically significant effect on cognition and mood compared with placebo.

Moreover, after 50 weeks’ treatment, approximately two-thirds of patients, physicians and caregivers reported improvement from baseline in spasticity based on global impressions of change.

In phase III clinical trials, approximately one-third of MS patients with treatment-resistant spasticity had a clinically relevant and statistically significant response to THC:CBD oromucosal spray.

In addition to a reduction in spasticity, responders experienced meaningful relief from associated symptoms.

THC:CBD oromucosal spray was generally well tolerated and efficacy was maintained over the longer term.

A post-approval clinical trial indicated no effect of THC:CBD oromucosal spray on cognition or mood after 50 weeks of use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25278117

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

Marijuana Might be Effective in Treating Autoimmune Diseases: Study

Posted on June 9, 2014 by David

Marijuana

“University of South Carolina researchers say that marijuana can reduce inflammation and could be effective in treating autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, lupus and colitis.

Marijuana is not an FDA-approved medication. The main ingredient in the drug – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – is approved to lower nausea and vomiting in people exposed to chemotherapy. The compound is also used to fight wasting syndrome in people with AIDS.”

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/7370/20140603/marijuana-effective-treating-autoimmune-diseases-researchers.htm

Toddler’s seizures stopped after consuming cannabis oil, parents say

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David

Two-year-old Kyla Williams hasn‘t learned to walk or talk, her development has stopped as she suffered as many as 200 seizures daily and no medication helped. Now the girl’s family say she hasn’t had a seizure in a week, ever since they began giving her cannabis oil extracted from hemp. (handout from family)

“Two-year-old Kyla Williams hasn’t learned to walk or talk, her development has stopped as she suffered as many as 200 seizures daily and no medication helped. Now the girl’s family says she hasn’t had a seizure in a week, ever since they began giving her cannabis oil extracted from hemp.

The oil being used by the toddler has high amounts of cannabidiol, known as CBD, the main ingredient in medical marijuana, and almost no psychoactive ingredients.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/toddlers-seizures-stopped-after-consuming-cannabis-oil-parents-say/article18769814/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/