Weed Approved to Alleviate Cancer Pain

Health Canada approves cannabis-derived pain drug for certain cancer patients

A cannabis-derived drug that's been on the market for two years in Canada to relieve pain in multiple sclerosis patients is now approved for use by certain patients with cancer.

Health Canada has approved Sativex as an added pain relief treatment for adults with advanced cancer who have moderate to severe pain when using the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy, said a statement Tuesday from Bayer Inc.

Patients can self-administer Sativex by spraying it into the mouth - under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek.

Advanced cancers usually cannot be cured, and many of these patients will experience moderate to severe pain, according to various pain studies.

"Cancer pain is not managed as well as it could be and the resources available to manage cancer pain effectively are still somewhat limited," Dr. Lawrence Librach, director of the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, said in the Bayer statement.

"Cannabinoids have an important role in treating complex cancer pain particularly neuropathic pain and demonstrate a positive effect with current treatment options."

Current treatment options include opioids, which are narcotic drugs that are prescribed to reduce or manage pain.

Source: CBC.ca