Marinol for MS

Is it of your opinion that Marinol can be an alternative drug to treat Multiple Sclerosis? I cannot handle shots, and I know there are many side effects from the shots.

[sllowe]

Hi there,

Welcome to the forum.  Without researching, I really don't know what marinol is.  I've not heard of it, sorry. Before I started taking a DMD I was worried about the side affects too, but seems there is always something to content with when you take a med.  It's a very hard (was for me) personal decision to make and too a lot of weighing benefits to risks, etc.  I respect your decision.

How are you feeling symptom wise with your MS?  

Hope you like it here, and find some info to help.

See you around!



H

[jensequitur]

Marinol is a drug that attempts to deliver the benefits of marijuana, without the problems associated with inhalation.  However, I wouldn't recommend it as an alternative.  They haven't shown that THC can prevent lesion formation or relapses.  The only thing it's been shown to help with is paresthesia and spasticity, although the effects may be psychological.  I know it seems to help me!

Laquinomod and fingolimod are currently being investigated as an oral alternative to the current DMDs.  I would personally be all about that - I am currently not taking my shots, partly because they're so expensive, and partly because I got tired of the injection site reactions.

[truelove47]

I talked to  my GP about marinol and he basicaly said it was primarly used for cancer  patients to put some weight on.

That's all i know                                                                       Linda

[Phoenix177]

I'm not dx with ms, but have other conditions where mmj ,not marinol, helps me greatly. mmj also helps me with the weird sx I've been having since Jan '09. Marinol is synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) one of many compounds found in the in the cannabis plant.  I hope this helps.

The Rest Here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/115748.php


Study To Investigate Link Between Cannabis Compound And Slowing Of Multiple Sclerosis

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines; Neurology / Neuroscience; Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 22 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

The CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) study at the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth has reached an important milestone with the news that the full cohort of 493 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been recruited to the study.

CUPID is a clinical trial which will evaluate whether tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of many compounds found in the in the cannabis plant (and the main active ingredient) is able to slow the progression of MS.

The Rest Here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/115748.php

Cannabis Alleviates Symptoms and Slows MS

New clinical trial data and a review of existing studies have independently concluded that cannabinoids can both alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and slow the progression of the disease.

The clinical trial data on the long-term administration of an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts (Sativex), showed that it reduces spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.

The placebo-controlled randomized withdrawal study was conducted on 36 patients who had been using the oral cannabis spray for a mean of 3.6 years. Patients who ceased using the drug experienced significantly worse spasticity but showed no signs of withdrawal symptoms.

This study follows a similar one that showed the oral cannabis spray consistently reduced MS-associated neuropathic pain, and patients did not develop a tolerance or need to increase dosage to obtain relief.

In addition to symptomatic relief, cannabinoids appear to slow the progression of the disease. A review of cannabinoids and multiple sclerosis in Current Pharmaceutical Design concluded that the well-established anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids may help stave off "the neurodegenerative disease progression that ultimately leads to the accumulation of disability."

Surveys have found that roughly one quarter of patients with MS use cannabis for relief from neuropathic pain and muscle spasticity.

for more information...
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5730#23

[b125]

I don't think Marinol would be a replacement for any of the ms meds - mostly it will serve as a calming aid or as mentioned above to help people gain weight. It won't actually serve any neurologically protective function. My neuro when I first was dxed last month told me that there is a strong hope that an oral tablet option will be available by next fall/winter. That seems much less complicated than the shots do (less preparation at least), but I can't promise you that you won't have any potential side effects. Any drug has a list of side effects because the FDA is required to report any and all that anyone who takes the drug reports - some of which may not actually be directly related to the drug, which is why there is such great variance in those lists of "possible" side effects. Long story short, I would expect the possible flu like symptoms could still occur when your body is getting used to the drug, but the injection site reactions will be eliminated. On the other hand, if the cost of the injectibles is high, I would expect that the new drugs will be high too, simply because they are exactly that - new.

[jensequitur]

Speaking personally, I've had varying degrees of spasticity - and it always seems to get worse when I don't have any.

There's not enough actual research on this subject, unfortunately.  Every time somebody comes out with a study that shows some benefit, somebody else comes out with a study that shows a detriment.  Because MS is such a variable disease, it makes me wonder how they have a control subject to compare the results to.