TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDayNews) -- An extract of marijuana reduces pain in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a study appearing in the July 15 online issue of the British Medical Journal. The extract, dronabinol, significantly lowered pain intensity, while pain relief was higher during treatment with the drug than during placebo treatment. Pain caused by physical pressure decreased, and patients reported a better quality of life with dronabinol than with placebo medication. The study involved 24 patients with multiple sclerosis in a hospital clinic in Denmark. More information The National Academy of Sciences has more about medical marijuana. (SOURCES: British Medical Journal, news release, July 15, 2004) Copyright © 2004 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved. HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder® does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit the healthfinder® health library. |