It's likely most of these products – even those called CBD oils – will be illegal to possess or supply. There's a good chance they will contain THC, and may not be safe to use. A third Phase 3 trial incorporated a formalised 4-week therapeutic trial period prior to randomisation. The aim of the trial was to assess the benefit of continued treatment for patients who achieve an initial response to treatment. 572 patients with MS and refractory spasticity all received single blind Sativex for four weeks. After four weeks on active treatment 273 achieved a reduction of at least 20% on the spasticity symptom NRS, of which 241 met the entry criteria for randomisation, with a mean change from the start of treatment of -3.0 points on the 10 point NRS. These patients were then randomised to either continue to receive active or switch to placebo for the 12 week double-blind phase, for a total of 16 weeks treatment overall. The abrupt withdrawal of long-term Sativex treatment has not resulted in a consistent pattern or time-profile of withdrawal-type symptoms and the likely consequence will be limited to transient disturbances of sleep, emotion or appetite in some patients. No increase in daily dosage has been observed in long-term use, and patient self-reported levels of 'intoxication' are low. For these reasons, dependence on Sativex is unlikely.

Some products that might claim to be medical cannabis, such as CBD oil or hemp oil, are available to buy legally as food supplements from health stores. But there's no guarantee these are of good quality or provide any health benefits.

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Many cannabis-based products are available to buy online, but their quality and content is not known. They may be illegal in the UK and potentially dangerous. In a study designed to identify its abuse potential, Sativex at a dose of 4 sprays taken at one time did not differ significantly from placebo. Higher doses of Sativex of 8 to 16 sprays taken at one time did show abuse potential comparable to equivalent doses of dronabinol, a synthetic THC. In a QTc study a dose of Sativex 4 sprays over 20 minutes twice daily was well-tolerated, but a substantially supratherapeutic dose of 18 sprays over 20 minutes twice daily resulted in significant psychoactivity and cognitive impairment. Acne Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch. Acne most commonly develops on the face. For treatment of symptoms of oral mucositis and oesophageal lesions when recommended by cancer care specialist only Sativex only has a licence to treat spasticity but some people say it helps with their other MS symptoms, including:

Oral suspension: Each 5ml contains 10mg Oxetacaine, Aluminium hydroxide equivalent to 200mg aluminium oxide + 100mg magnesium hydroxide 150ml bottle. Treatment must be initiated and supervised by a physician with specialist expertise in treating this patient population.

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Women of childbearing potential must use highly effective contraception while taking Sativex. It is currently unknown whether Sativex may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, and therefore women using hormonal contraceptives should use an additional method of contraception for the duration of therapy and for three months after discontinuation of therapy (see sections 4.5 and 4.6).