Sativex Patients and Caregivers Reported Improved Daily Function and Reduced Need for Other Medications | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 124 patients prescribed Sativex (mostly for MS spasticity and pain) found the majority reported improvements in daily functional activities, with reduced use of other anti-spasticity medications and healthcare resources.

Read this if you have MS and are considering Sativex or another cannabis-based medicine for spasticity.

Majority reported improved daily function and reduced need for other medications

What the researchers found

One hundred twenty-four patients who had received repeat Sativex prescriptions completed a questionnaire survey (57% response rate). Most patients had multiple sclerosis, using Sativex primarily for spasticity and pain. The majority of both patients and their caregivers reported improvements across a range of daily functional activities.

Notably, patients reported reduced use of concomitant anti-spasticity medications and reduced use of other healthcare resources after starting Sativex. Caregiver responses corroborated patient reports. The findings complemented RCT evidence by providing a real-world effectiveness perspective.

Why it matters

Clinical trial results do not always translate to real-world effectiveness. This survey provides evidence that Sativex produces patient-perceived benefits in daily life, reduces polypharmacy (fewer other medications needed), and reduces healthcare utilization, supporting its practical value beyond trial settings.

The numbers in context

124 questionnaires returned (57% response rate). Most patients had MS. Primary indications: spasticity and pain. Majority reported improved daily function. Reduced anti-spasticity medication use. Reduced healthcare resource use.

How the study worked

Questionnaire survey with mostly multiple-choice questions and some free-text. Distributed through UK prescribers to patients who had received repeat Sativex prescriptions within the previous 16 weeks. Developed in consultation with a patient organization. No control group. 57% response rate (124 returned).

What this study cannot tell us

No control group. Only patients with repeat prescriptions were surveyed, creating selection bias (those who stopped would not be included). Self-reported outcomes are subject to bias. 43% non-response may reflect dissatisfied patients. UK-specific prescribing patterns may not generalize.

How to read the evidence

Uncontrolled questionnaire survey; preliminary real-world evidence complementing RCT findings.

When this study was published

Published in 2013. Sativex has gained further regulatory approvals and real-world usage data since.

The bigger picture

This real-world evidence complements the controlled trial data for Sativex by showing that the benefits observed in trials translate to patient-perceived improvements in daily life. The reduction in other medication use and healthcare visits has economic as well as clinical implications.

Questions still open

Why did 43% not respond, and were non-responders less satisfied? What specific daily activities improved most? Is the reduction in other medications clinically appropriate or does it leave symptoms under-treated? What is the long-term satisfaction rate?

Common questions

What do patients actually think of Sativex?

In this survey, the majority of patients on repeat Sativex prescriptions reported improvements in daily functional activities, and their caregivers agreed. Patients also reported needing fewer other medications and fewer healthcare visits. However, this only captures the views of patients who continued using Sativex, and those who stopped (possibly due to lack of benefit or side effects) were not surveyed.

Does Sativex reduce the need for other medications?

According to patient reports in this survey, yes. Many patients reduced their use of other anti-spasticity medications after starting Sativex. This has both clinical implications (fewer medication side effects) and economic implications (reduced healthcare costs). However, without a control group, it is difficult to attribute this entirely to Sativex.

Read the original research

A questionnaire survey of patients and carers of patients prescribed Sativex as an unlicensed medicine.

Primary health care research & development, 14(2), 192-9

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Notcutt, William G. (2013). A questionnaire survey of patients and carers of patients prescribed Sativex as an unlicensed medicine.. Primary health care research & development, 14(2), 192-9. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423612000333