Chronic lower back pain can be eased by a drug derived from cannabis, new evidence has indicated.
Researchers have found that the experimental drug VER-01 can treat lower back pain without causing addiction or serious side effects.
Currently, people living with chronic lower back pain are turning to opioids – pain-relieving medication associated with a greater risk of addiction.
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VER-01 is a unique cannabinoid-based medication containing 5% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
A total of 820 people took part in the study, all of whom have chronic lower back pain. Over the 12-week period, participants were assigned to take either VER-01 or a placebo.
Participants in the VER-01 group saw their pain score drop by 1.9, while those in the placebo group lowered theirs by 1.4 points, the results have revealed.
Senior author Winfried Meissner said: “It’s one of the first really high-quality studies for medical cannabis which many people, both researchers and patients, have been waiting for. So far evidence is poor, past studies are of lower quality, fewer patients.”
According to the study, participants taking VER-01 also reported improvements to their physical function and sleep quality.
They did experience side effects, but these were only mild, and included dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Winfried Meissner said: “Patients with chronic pain should always be treated first with physical therapy, but painkillers can help those who are unable to move. Even a relatively small pain reduction might help [patients] go to exercise.”
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Marta Di Forti, who was not involved in the study, commented: “Although the reduction in pain wasn’t massive, it is rare to see huge reductions in chronic pain.
“The fact people can sleep better, which is a secondary outcome of the study, will have an immense impact on the ability to function. When you look at chronic pain, you don’t look at giant effects.”
She concluded: “In a world where there are claims of cannabis treating everything, at least here we have a randomised control trial testing it. The fact it works for pain is wonderful news in my view.”
The study is available in the journal Nature Medicine.
