Pharmaceutical drugs have been developed which either contain or have similar chemicals as those found in the marijuana (cannabis) plant. Some researchers have used their understanding of how the brain processes cannabinoids to develop drugs which follow the same pathways but work differently than marijuana. Pharmaceutical drugs based on marijuana are divided into four categories and listed below with the names, trade names, manufacturers, approval status, suggested medical use and cannabis-related properties. All drugs referenced are in pill form unless otherwise noted.
I. Drugs that contain chemicals taken directly from the marijuana plant
Name/Trade Name
Manufacturer
Approval Status
Suggested Medical Use
Cannabis-Related Properties
1.
Sativex
GW Pharmaceuticals
Approved and launched in the UK on June 21, 2010, making it the first cannabis-based prescription medicine in the world (rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4 on Apr. 10, 2013). Licensed to Bayer in the UK and to Almirall in Europe. Approved to treat spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis in Spain (July 28, 2010), Canada (Aug. 31, 2010), Czech Republic (Apr. 15, 2011), Denmark (June 8, 2011), Germany (July 4, 2011), Sweden (Dec. 22, 2011), Austria (Feb. 7, 2012), and Italy (May 7, 2013).
In the US, Phase III clinical trials started in late 2006 for treatment of pain in cancer patients (recruitment expected to be completed by the end of 2013). On Apr. 20, 2011, a US patent was granted for Sativex in cancer pain.
Treatment of neuropathic pain and spasticity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Analgesic treatment in adult patients with advanced cancer who experience moderate to severe pain.
Mouth spray whose chemical compound is derived from natural extracts of the cannabis plant. Sativex contains two cannabinoids: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
II. Drugs that contain synthetic versions of chemicals naturally found in marijuana
Name/Trade Name
Manufacturer
Approval Status
Suggested Medical Use
Cannabis-Related Properties
1.
Dronabinol/
Marinol
Unimed Pharmaceuticals,
a subsidiary of Solvay Pharmaceuticals
FDA approved in US as Schedule I drug for appetite stimulation (1992) and for nausea (1985); moved to Schedule III effective July 2, 1999
Approved in Denmark for multiple sclerosis (Sep. 2003)
Approved in Canada for AIDS-related anorexia (Apr. 2000) and for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy (1988)
Treatment of nausea and vomiting for patients in cancer treatment; Appetite stimulant for AIDS patients; Analgesic to ease neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis patients
Phase II clinical trials in the United States completed Sep. 7, 2006
Treatment of nausea, vomiting, migraines, spasticity in MS patients, and neuropathic pain
Human-made THC inhaler
III. Drugs that contain chemicals similar to those in marijuana but not found in the plant
Name/Trade Name
Manufacturer
Approval Status
Suggested Medical Use
Cannabis-Related Properties
1.
Nabilone/
Cesamet
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
Approved for use in the US (1985), United Kingdom and Australia (1982), Canada (1981)
On May 15, 2006, the FDA approved safety labeling revisions for nabilone (Cesamet 1-mg capsules) to advise of warnings and precautions related to its use in the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
Treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing cancer treatment
Synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC
2.
Dexanabinol
Pharmos
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
The Phase III clinical trial involving 846 patients was completed in Dec. 2004; Pharmos said the drug failed to show statistically significant improvement in the late-stage clinical trial
Neuroprotective (protects brain from damage) for use after cardiac surgery
Regain memory and other high-level function following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Synthetic non-psychotropic cannabinoid which blocks NMDA receptors and COX-2 cytokines and chemokines
3.
CT-3 (ajulemic acid)
Atlantic Technology Ventures
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Completed Phase I clinical trials as of July 2002
Phase II study began in May 2002 in Germany to test its analgesic properties in patients with neuropathic pain
Treatment of spasticity and neuropathic pain in MS patients
Synthetic, more potent analog of THC metabolite THC-11-oic acid
4.
PRS-211,375/
Cannabinor
and
Cannabinor Oral
Pharmos
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Phase II(a) trials began in the 2nd quarter of 2006 and continued as of Apr. 2007
In Jan. 2007, Pharmos reported that in a Phase 2a experimentally induced pain model, cannabinor failed to meet the primary endpoint of reducing capsaicin-induced pain
Anti-inflammatory
Treatment of pain
Synthetic chemical that specifically binds to the brain's secondary cannabinoid receptor (CB2)
5.
HU 308
Pharmos
(licensed from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies
Treatment of hypertension
Anti-inflammatory
Synthetic chemical that specifically binds to the brain's secondary cannabinoid receptor (CB2)
6.
HU 331
Cayman Chemical
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies, and has finished pre-clinical toxicology studies
ProCon.org contacted Cayman Chemical by phone on Feb. 15, 2008; According to Cayman Chemical, no current studies were taking place although HU 331 was available for purchase by research institutions
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies
Treatment of memory, weight loss, appetite, neurodegeneration, tumor surveillance, analgesia, and inflammation
Synthetic chemical compound composed of central cannabinoid (CB1), peripheral cannabinoid (CB2), and non-CB receptor-mediated pharmacology
IV. Drugs that do not work like marijuana but use the same brain pathways
Name/Trade Name
Manufacturer
Approval Status
Suggested Medical Use
Cannabis-Related Properties
1.
Rimonabant/
Acomplia
Sanofi-Aventis
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
On June 13, 2007, an FDA advisory panel of outside experts unanimously recommended that the regulatory agency not approve the drug for sale in the United States
Sanofi-Aventis withdrew its FDA application following the rejection, but announced that they will re-submit rimonabant to the FDA at a future date
Approved in June 2006 for use in Europe, marketed in 18 countries; Also available in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico
Anti-obesity
Synthetic chemical that blocks endocannabinoids from being received in the brain, and, as a result, suppresses appetite.
2.
Taranabant/
MK-0364
Merck
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Merck is expected to submit the drug for FDA approval in 2008
In Phase III trials as of Jan. 8, 2008
Anti-obesity
Targets receptors in the brain linked to appetite. Acts as a Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) inverse agonist, blocking cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which suppresses appetite
3.
URB597
or
KDS-4103
Cayman Chemical
and
Kadmus Pharmaceuticals Inc
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies, and has finished pre-clinical toxicology studies
ProCon.org contacted Cayman Chemical by phone on Feb. 15, 2008; According to Cayman Chemical, no current studies were taking place although URB597 was available for purchase by research institutions
Treatment of pain (acute - post-surgical; inflammatory - arthritis; neuropathic - damaged nerve cells from shingles, H.I.V., diabetes), anxiety, and depression
Increases the amount of endocannabinoids in the brain by blocking the natural process of deactivating them. The same process that deactivates endocannabinoids also blocks chemicals which regulate mood
4.
O-3246
Not available
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies
Treatment of spasticity in MS patients
Increases the amount of anandamide, an endocannabinoid, by tricking the brain to produce more instead of uptaking what is already present
5.
AM 281
Bachem (formerly Peninsula Laboratories)
Not approved for use as of Feb. 15, 2008
Demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical laboratory studies
Neuroprotective for use in association with septic shock
Synthetic chemical that blocks the endocannabinoids from being received in the brain, regulating the flow of blood to the brain during
septic shock
