New research released shows that Valeant Pharmaceuticals International’s Cesamet, a synthetic version of marijuana’s active ingredient, helps relieve symptoms such as pain, anxiety and depression.
Researchers looked at 139 cancer patients in the study. The project found that those who took Cesamet experienced less pain than those treated with standard therapies.
“The findings show how great the potential is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients,” Vincent Maida, a University of Toronto professor and the lead investigator, told Reuters. Study results were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
While Cesamet’s been available in Canada for many years, the Food and Drug Administration cleared it in May for patients who don’t respond to conventional anti-nausea treatments.
Cesamet is part of a group called cannabinoids, which are similar to THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana. Cesamet and Marinol, a similar drug produced by Solvay, a European drug maker, are designed to target specific cannabinoid receptors and doesn’t have the toxic effects associated with smoking marijuana, Maida said.
“This is not the pot pill. It has absolutely no street value,” Maida said.
