Cannabis Science, a company specialized in the development of cannabis-based therapeutics, recently announced the development of two new medications for pain relief in people with fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy nerve pain.

The two new pharmaceutical pain relievers will be marketed as transdermal adhesive patches that deliver a certain dose of medication into the bloodstream by absorption through the patient’s skin.

Transdermal drug delivery routes have the potential to promote healing of an injured area of the body. This delivery method can be superior to other types of medication delivery, including oral, topical, intravenous, intramuscular,and others, because of the additional control over the dose administered to the patient.

The patch provides a more controlled release of the medication, either through using a porous membrane to let the medication be absorbed gradually by the skin, or through embedding thin layers of the medicine in the adhesive that melt with the patient’s body heat.

Cannabinoids have an extensive record of medicinal applications, dating back thousands of years. Currently, a number of peer-reviewed scientific publications are documenting the underlying biochemical pathways that cannabinoids modulate.

These patches will contain high potency cannabinoid (CBD) extract, the second major cannabinoid in marijuana after THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The extract slowly enters the bloodstream and then penetrates a patient’s central nervous system to act as a pain reliever.

CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties with no known psychoactive effects. Research has shown that CBD can be an effective treatment for many types of pain, particularly inflammatory pain. Some studies also have shown that CBD might outperform traditional medication when treating inflammatory pain.

“While we strive to increase our land capacity for growth and facilities to produce our own product to supply our scientists with proprietary materials to make these formulations, we are also busy researching more potential needs for Cannabis related medical applications and developing the methods for delivery of these medications,” Raymond C. Dabney, Cannabis Science CEO said in a press release.

“As more states nationwide legislate for the legalization of cannabis and cannabis-derived medications, we here at Cannabis Science are focused on developing pharmaceutical formulations and applications to supply the huge growing demand expected over the coming few years,” Dabney stated.

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2%-8% of the population. Patients with fibromyalgia experience chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure.

via Fibromyalgia News Today