Clemastine. An old anti-histamine with a new use in MS?
At Dickson Chemist we are often asked about the latest newsletters or information that has appeared on the internet about one thing or another. Never have we been as surprised when someone asked us about Clemastine – to be used in MS.
Clemastine is a very traditional antihistamine, often historically used in young children -that has falled significantly out of favour in the last decades due to newer antihistamines becoming available.
We are always keen to find things that are potentially synergistic (work well with) LDN – and Clemastine, in de-myelination disease, appears to be one of the most promising things we have ever seen.
Clemastine is currently in phase II development for re-myelination in MS and schitzophrenic disorders. Clemastine is active centrally – i.e. it crosses the blood brain barrier and often causes drowsiness. In mice and humans is has been shown to be a mild immunosuppressant and/or immunomodulator. The suggestion is that a central immunosuppressant could be working by dampening down the attack by the immune system on myelin. Furthermore, a study has shown that dosing with clemastine promotes myelin repair.
A well designed trial with 50 patients was set up, called ReBuild – looking at trying to regrow myelin - and amazingly showed demonstrable benefits after a 5 month period.
The authors fo the ReBuild trial say that: “To our knowledge, this is the first randomised controlled trial to document efficacy of a remyelinating drug for the treatment of chronic demyelinating injury in multiple sclerosis. Our findings suggest that myelin repair can be achieved even following prolonged damage. “
For any authors of any trial to say a statement like that is absolutely incredible – so about 6 months ago, we selected 50 of our own patients who had expressed and interest to receive Clemastine and discussed it with them before going ahead. We followed it up and low and behold, the same sort of results are showing up. We think that LDN patients might respond even faster than the 5-6 months in the ReBuild trial.
One patient from Aberdeen, who has agreed to go on record, is currently incredibly excited. They have been significantly physically disabled and in a wheelchair for quite a number of years. They started clemastine about 5 months ago – without great expectations.
Excitedly, I spoke to the patients daughter who was over the moon as they have gained use back of their arm and hand for the first time in years and has been able to write using a pen for the first time in a very long time. The only changes they made were starting Clemastine. The MS nurse recently also noticed that the stiffness has reduced significantly in their legs and they are hoping for further improvements.
Clemastine is never going to be available for Re-myelination on the NHS – so the only option to try this is to go private. As such we have provided basic training docmentation to the main prescribing services, e-med, Dr Bains, Clinic158 and most of the common LDN prescribers. A link to a consultation can be found here:
Clemastine is very cost effective at around £15 for enough for a months supply. Consultations will be charged by your existing LDN doctor, or you can use one of the other services, Any questions you can call 0141 404 6255.