Curr Opin Invest Dr
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Curr Opin Invest Dr · Jul 2004
ReviewCGRP receptor antagonists: a new choice for acute treatment of migraine?
The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is believed to play a central role in the underlying pathology of migraine. Serum levels of CGRP, elevated during a migraine attack, return to normal as pain alleviates. ⋯ Based on these findings, it was proposed that blockade of postsynaptic CGRP receptors, and hence the physiological effects of CGRP, should effectively abort a migraine attack. This review will discuss the therapeutic potential of olcegepant, the first non-peptide CGRP receptor antagonist available for human studies, within the context of current neurovascular theories on migraine pathology.
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Prior to 2002, few clinical data were available to indicate whether cannabis extracts may be beneficial. However, in the last two years, results of several placebo-controlled clinical trials of orally administered compounds have been published, and these cast doubt on the efficacy of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) in objectively reducing spasticity in MS. ⋯ A better indication of the clinical potential of the different cannabis extracts will have to await the publication of the most recent clinical trial data. This review critically evaluates the most recent evidence available on the potential use of medicinal extracts of cannabis to relieve pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
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GW Pharmaceuticals is developing GW-1000 (Sativex), a narrow ratio delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol product for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, neurogenic pain and peripheral neuropathy. In March 2003, the company filed for approval for the treatment of MS with the UK Medicines Control Agency, and in May 2004, filed for new drug submission with Health Canada.
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Curr Opin Invest Dr · Jan 2004
ReviewUse and abuse of opioid analgesics: potential methods to prevent and deter non-medical consumption of prescription opioids.
Medicinal opiates can produce both analgesia and euphoria. The mood altering action of this class of drugs has led to their abuse (non-medical use), a problem compounded by their physical dependence and addictive qualities. ⋯ Such use is now a major societal problem, with an incidence that appears to exceed the use of street narcotics such as heroin in the US. This review highlights the extent of the illicit use of prescribed opiate analgesics and some of the steps, legal, educational and pharmaceutical, that can be taken to potentially reduce the risk of their misuse or diversion for abuse.