An oral mucosal spray formulation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (Sativex), derived from extracts of the cannabis sativa plant, has been launched in the UK for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.

It is licensed as add-on therapy for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis who have not responded adequately to other antispasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity-related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.

Spasticity is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, causing stiffness, muscle tension and spasms. Clinical trials have shown that Sativex as an add-on therapy provides relief from spasticity in about half of patients with multiple sclerosis. Sativex is available on prescription only from specialist doctors with experience in treating MS spasticity.