title: [Effect of the synthetic cannabinoid dronabinol on central pain in patients with multiple sclerosis--secondary publication].
abstract: Cannabinoids reduce allodynia/hyperalgesia in animal pain models, but few clinical studies evaluated the analgesic action in humans. We aimed to evaluate the effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) on central pain in MS patients. Twenty-four MS patients participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. Dronabinol reduced the spontaneous pain intensity significantly compared with placebo (4.0 (2.3-6.0) vs. 5.0 (4.0-6.4), median (25th-75th percentiles), p = 0.02). Though dronabinol's analgesic effect is modest, its use should be evaluated considering the general difficulty in treating central pain.
authors: Dansk Smerteforskningscenter, Neurologisk Afdeling F, Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Sygehus. kristina@akhphd.au.dk
authors: Kristina Bacher
authors: KB
authors: Svendsen
authors: Troels Staehelin
authors: TS
authors: Jensen
authors: Flemming W
authors: FW
authors: Bach
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D013759:Dronabinol