Elsevier

The Journal of Pain

Volume 9, Issue 2, February 2008, Pages 164-173
The Journal of Pain

Original report
Nabilone for the Treatment of Pain in Fibromyalgia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2007.09.002Get rights and content
Under an Elsevier user license
open archive

Abstract

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to determine the benefit of nabilone in pain management and quality of life improvement in 40 patients with fibromyalgia. After a baseline assessment, subjects were titrated up on nabilone, from 0.5 mg PO at bedtime to 1 mg BID over 4 weeks or received a corresponding placebo. At the 2- and 4-week visits, the primary outcome measure, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the secondary outcome measures, number of tender points, the average tender point pain threshold, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), were evaluated. After a 4-week washout period, subjects returned for reassessment of the outcome measures. There were no significant differences in population demographics between groups at baseline. There were significant decreases in the VAS (−2.04, P < .02), FIQ (−12.07, P < .02), and anxiety (−1.67, P < .02) in the nabilone treated group at 4 weeks. There were no significant improvements in the placebo group. The treatment group experienced more side effects per person at 2 and 4 weeks (1.58, P < .02 and 1.54, P < .05), respectively. Nabilone appears to be a beneficial, well-tolerated treatment option for fibromyalgia patients, with significant benefits in pain relief and functional improvement.

Perspective

To our knowledge, this is the first randomized, controlled trial to assess the benefit of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, on pain reduction and quality of life improvement in patients with fibromyalgia. As nabilone improved symptoms and was well-tolerated, it may be a useful adjunct for pain management in fibromyalgia.

Key words

Nabilone
cannabinoid
fibromyalgia
pain

Cited by (0)

Supported by an unrestricted research grant provided by Valeant Canada Limited and an HSC Medical Staff Council Fellowship Fund. Valeant Canada Limited had no involvement in study design, interaction with patients, patient assessments, data analysis, or the authorship of this paper.