A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of nabilone as an adjunctive to gabapentin in managing multiple sclerosis-induced neuropathic pain: An interim analysis

AIM: To determine if nabilone is effective in alleviating symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) - induced neuropathic pain (NPP) when used as adjunctive treatment to gabapentin. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study involving 25 patients diagnosed with MS-induced NPP was initiated using nabilone as an adjunctive therapy to gabapentin. Eligible participants previously stabilized on >1800mg/day of gabapentin received an oral upward titration of nabilone or matched placebo over 4 weeks, to a target dose of 1 mg twice daily which they continued for 5 additional weeks. Baseline pain evaluations prior to nabilone initiation were comparatively assessed to those at weeks 4 and 9 post-nabilone treatment. Outcome measures include the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and the Patient-Rated Global Impression of Change. RESULTS: Nabilone treatment resulted in an average VAS point reduction of-4.25 at target dose. An average of 2.75 adverse events were noted in the nabilone group. Dizziness & dry mouth were the most frequently reported (75%), followed by drowsiness (50%) and nausea (25%). No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Interim results suggest nabilone as an effective, tolerable adjunctive treatment for MS-induced NPP.