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Sativex is an oral spray. It is intended to relieve stiffness in the mouth in people with multiple sclerosis. It is a prescription product.
When is Sativex used?
Sativex is used in people suffering from multiple sclerosis to relieve the symptoms of spasticity for which current medications do not help. Spasticity is a stiffening or very strained mouth in the mouth. Such a symptom prevents the muscles from moving freely within this area.
Using Sativex
Use of this drug should only be started with the consent of your doctor. To do this, the doctor should carefully examine the patient and assess his muscle stiffness, and find out why the current preparations do not work against this problem.
Subsequently, the doctor should prescribe a four-week treatment with this medication, and then check the patient to see if the medication is working. If, after one month, the preparation brings the expected results, the patient may continue to use it.
Who shouldn’t use Sativex?
Sativex should not be used by people who are allergic to any of the ingredients of this preparation, as well as by people who do not require treatment with this drug. It cannot be used by breastfeeding women, and also by people who suffer from mental disorders such as schizophrenia or psychosis.
Before prescribing a drug by a doctor, you should inform him about all other illnesses you suffer from and about any medications you are taking. He should be informed of: a planned pregnancy, the patient’s age, kidney problems, seizures, heart problems and high blood pressure, and heart rhythm disturbances.
Sativex and other drugs
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications as they may have an adverse interaction with Sativex. In particular, the doctor should know about taking medications: for depression, sleep problems, muscle tension, bacterial infections, fungal infections, HIV infections, contraceptives.
Sativex and alcoholic beverages
This drug should not be combined with alcohol, because alcohol and this drug can increase their effects, it can cause disturbance in concentration and lead to falls.
Sativex, and pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant, or tell your doctor if you are pregnant. You should not use this medicine while breastfeeding.
Sativex and Driving
You should not drive any vehicles unless you have checked how the medicine works in your body. You should determine the dose of taking the preparation and see its reaction to the body, then you can try to drive vehicles.
How to use Sativex?
The medication should be used as directed by your doctor. It should only be used in the mouth, under the tongue or inside the cheek. You should take the medicine at the same time each day, preferably between meals.
- Also read: When the tongue gets sick
Packaging and using Sativex
Write the date of opening the preparation on the package. It should not be used after the expiry date and 42 days from the date of first use. Then the container should be shaken and the cap protecting the aerosol should be removed. The container should be kept upright and before use, spray it on a tissue once.
If the preparation is ready for use, it should be directed to the tongue or the inside of the cheeks and gently sprayed.
Precautions
The preparation should be kept away from fire and children. Do not inhale it and if it gets into your eyes, rinse them as soon as possible with plenty of water.
Side effects of Sativex
The most common side effects of this medicine are: weakness, fatigue, vision problems, speech difficulties, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and drunk driving.
If you experience any of the side effects listed above or other side effects, please inform your doctor immediately.
Storing Sativex
The unopened product should be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. If the preparation has been opened, it should be kept at a temperature of up to 25 degrees Celsius, in an upright position.
Sativex content
The active substance of the drug is Cannabis extract. Excipients in the drug are: anhydrous ethanol and propylene glycol, and peppermint oil.