Multiple sclerosis
(MS)-related spasticity is associated with disability and impairment in
quality of life. We report on a patient with secondary progressive MS
and spastic tetraparesis (Expanded Disability Status Scale score 8.5).
The right arm exhibited flexor spasticity resulting in functional
disability despite multimodal symptomatic treatment. Intrathecal
baclofen led to side effects despite decreasing efficacy. Low-dose
nabiximols improved spasticity and function with recovery of daily-life
activities and spasticity-related symptoms. Reduction of intrathecal
baclofen ameliorated adverse drug reactions. Add-on cannabinoid therapy
was effective in therapy-refractory spasticity with supra-additive
effect in combining intrathecal baclofen and nabiximols, hypothetically
explained by mutually complementing mechanisms of action.
Nabiximols is another name for sativex so this study says that balcofen causes side effects but if cannabis was added to the treatment then there was increased efficacy and this may allow you to reduce doses of drugs that cause the side effect, Good management of drug mixtures can work wonders.
CoI: MD is developing competing agents to treat spasticity.