Cannabis Extracts Helped Bladder Problems in Advanced MS Patients
An open-label trial found that cannabis extracts containing THC and CBD significantly reduced urinary urgency, incontinence, and frequency in MS patients with bladder problems that had not responded to standard treatments.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In 15 evaluable MS patients with refractory lower urinary tract symptoms, cannabis extracts delivered by sublingual spray produced significant improvements across multiple bladder measures. Urinary urgency, number and volume of incontinence episodes, frequency, and nocturia all decreased significantly (p<0.05). Pain, spasticity, and sleep quality also improved significantly, with pain improvement persisting to a median of 35 weeks.
Patients first received THC:CBD extract (2.5 mg each per spray) for 8 weeks, then THC-only extract for 8 weeks, followed by a long-term extension. Few troublesome side effects were reported.
Key Numbers
Twenty-one patients recruited, 15 evaluated. THC:CBD extract: 2.5 mg each per spray. Treatment: 8 weeks THC:CBD, then 8 weeks THC. Pain improvement persisted to median 35 weeks. All primary bladder measures improved significantly (p<0.05).
How They Did This
This was an open-label pilot study in 21 recruited patients (15 evaluable). Patients with advanced MS and refractory bladder symptoms received sublingual spray extracts: THC:CBD for 8 weeks, then THC-only for 8 weeks, with option for long-term extension. Assessments included urinary frequency/volume charts, incontinence pad weights, cystometry, and visual analogue scales.
Why This Research Matters
Bladder dysfunction affects the majority of MS patients and significantly impacts quality of life. Standard treatments often provide inadequate relief. This study was one of the first to specifically evaluate cannabis-based medicines for MS bladder symptoms, finding improvements across multiple urinary measures that had been resistant to other treatments.
The Bigger Picture
Bladder dysfunction was subsequently included as one of the symptoms addressed in the large CAMS trial and in the clinical development of Sativex. The finding that cannabis extracts could address this often-neglected MS symptom contributed to the broader understanding of cannabinoid therapeutic applications in MS beyond just spasticity.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
This was an open-label study without placebo control, so expectation effects cannot be ruled out. The sample was small (15 evaluable patients). Daily total voided volume and incontinence pad weights also decreased, which complicates the interpretation of reduced incontinence episodes. The sequential design (THC:CBD then THC) makes it difficult to compare the two formulations directly.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is THC:CBD more effective than THC alone for bladder symptoms?
- ?Would a placebo-controlled trial confirm these findings?
- ?Could cannabis-based treatments replace or complement existing bladder medications for MS patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- All primary bladder measures improved significantly (p<0.05) in treatment-resistant MS
- Evidence Grade:
- This is an open-label pilot study without placebo control in 15 patients, providing preliminary evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2004. Bladder dysfunction has been included in subsequent larger cannabis-MS trials.
- Original Title:
- An open-label pilot study of cannabis-based extracts for bladder dysfunction in advanced multiple sclerosis.
- Published In:
- Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England), 10(4), 425-33 (2004)
- Authors:
- Brady, C M, DasGupta, R, Dalton, C, Wiseman, O J, Berkley, K J, Fowler, C J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00158
Evidence Hierarchy
A small preliminary study to test whether a larger study is feasible.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help with MS bladder problems?
This pilot study found significant improvements in urgency, incontinence, frequency, and nighttime urination in MS patients whose symptoms had not responded to other treatments. However, the lack of a placebo control means these findings need confirmation in larger controlled trials.
How long did the benefits last?
Pain improvement persisted to a median of 35 weeks in the long-term extension phase, suggesting sustained benefit with continued use. Bladder improvements were maintained during the treatment period.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00158APA
Brady, C M; DasGupta, R; Dalton, C; Wiseman, O J; Berkley, K J; Fowler, C J. (2004). An open-label pilot study of cannabis-based extracts for bladder dysfunction in advanced multiple sclerosis.. Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England), 10(4), 425-33.
MLA
Brady, C M, et al. "An open-label pilot study of cannabis-based extracts for bladder dysfunction in advanced multiple sclerosis.." Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, 2004.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "An open-label pilot study of cannabis-based extracts for bla..." RTHC-00158. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/brady-2004-an-openlabel-pilot-study
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.