According to a new study taken by the University Of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brian Institute, there is proof that a new drug therapy called nabilione can treat by nerve pain and neuropathy.
Sixty patients with diabetic neuropathy were enrolled in a 12-week placebo controlled clinical study. When the study was over, patients stated that there was less pain and an improvement in both anxiety and sleep as well in taking nabilone as opposed to the placebo.
Dr. Cory Toth, the study’s lead researcher and a neurologist said, “This is a good option to help treat nerve pain due to diabetes, with very few side effects.”
The medication goes by the generic name nabilone and is used to treat symptoms of chemotherapy patients such as nausea. Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid and it imitates the chemical compounds of marijuana, which is used to treat several different health conditions, medically. Health Canada and the FDA have both approved it.
An Associate Professor at the McGill University Health Centre, Mark Ware said, “This study is a further demonstration of the potential medical benefits of cannabinoids in a difficult pain condition. Dr. Toth and his team have conducted a solid trial which, although small, validates our clinical experience. This study gives physician’s support to consider further options in treating this devastating chronic pain disorder.”
Type 2 diabetes is becoming an epidemic around the globe, there have been many diagnosed this year and that number will double by this time next year.
Neuropathy is a common complication that comes from diabetic patients and causes many different symptoms such as: tingling, burning, pain, numbness in the hands, fingers, feet and toes due to damaged nerves.
