A cannabis-derived (THC) medicine for sickness and appetite loss
Dronabinol
A cannabis-derived medicine (a form of THC) used for nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy and for appetite loss, and a controlled drug.
What is Dronabinol?
Dronabinol is a cannabis-derived medicine, a form of THC, used to treat nausea and vomiting linked to chemotherapy and to help with appetite loss, usually when other treatments have not worked. Because it is related to cannabis, it can cause dizziness, drowsiness and mood or psychiatric effects such as anxiety or feeling 'high', and you should not drive while affected. It also has a potential for dependence and is a controlled drug. It is a specialist medicine used under close supervision, started at a low level and adjusted carefully.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Dronabinol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Dronabinol is a medicine made from a cannabis substance called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is used as a specialist option for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and to help with appetite loss and weight loss in certain illnesses, usually when standard treatments have not been enough. Because it comes from cannabis, it is a controlled drug, which means there are extra rules around prescribing and supplying it. It is taken by mouth and is used under careful specialist supervision because of its effects on the mind and its potential for dependence.
How it works
Dronabinol acts on the body's cannabinoid system, the same system that cannabis acts on, which is involved in nausea, appetite and mood. By acting on these receptors it can reduce sickness and stimulate appetite. The same action on the brain, however, is what produces its mind-altering effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, a feeling of being 'high', or changes in mood. Because everyone responds differently and these effects can be unpleasant, it is usually started cautiously and the dose adjusted to balance benefit against these unwanted effects.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A specialist cannabis-derived medicine used for nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy and for appetite loss, controlled because of its THC content.
Practical use
How to take Dronabinol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it exactly as prescribed; it is usually started at a low level and adjusted carefully by your specialist team.
- Do not drive or operate machinery while you feel dizzy, drowsy or otherwise affected.
- Report any changes in mood, anxiety, confusion or unsettling thoughts to your team promptly.
- Avoid alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness while taking it, unless advised otherwise.
- Keep it securely and do not share it, as it is a controlled drug with a potential for dependence.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Dronabinol
Advantages
- Can help with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy when other treatments have not worked.
- Can stimulate appetite in certain illnesses with appetite and weight loss.
- Taken by mouth, offering an option that works in a different way from standard anti-sickness medicines.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes dizziness, drowsiness and mind-altering effects, so you must not drive while affected.
- Can cause mood or psychiatric effects such as anxiety, confusion or feeling 'high'.
- Has a potential for dependence and is a controlled drug, so it is closely supervised.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important things to understand about dronabinol come from the fact that it is a cannabis-derived medicine. It commonly causes dizziness and drowsiness, and you should not drive or operate machinery while affected by it. It can also cause mood or psychiatric effects, such as anxiety, confusion, feeling 'high', or, in some people, low mood or unsettling thoughts, which should be reported. Because it is related to cannabis, it has a potential for dependence and is a controlled drug, so there are extra rules around prescribing it and it is used under close supervision. It is usually started cautiously and built up slowly to find a level that helps without causing too many of these effects. It is a specialist medicine reserved for situations where other treatments have not worked well enough.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to dronabinol or to sesame oil (used in some preparations) should not take it.
- It is used with great caution, or avoided, in people with a history of serious mental-health problems such as psychosis.
- It is used with care in people with heart problems, a history of substance misuse, and in older people, under specialist guidance.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well sickness or appetite is helped against any mind-altering side effects.
- Watching for changes in mood, mental state or signs of dependence.
- Reviewing heart rate and overall response, adjusting the dose carefully.
Side effects
- Dizziness, drowsiness and a feeling of being 'high' or detached.
- Mood or psychiatric effects such as anxiety, confusion or low mood.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat, and dry mouth in some people.
Key interactions
- Alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness add to its sedating and mind-altering effects.
- Some medicines can change how dronabinol is broken down, raising or lowering its levels, so a full medicines list is important.
- Tell your team about all your medicines, including ones bought without a prescription and any recreational drug use.
Available as: Capsules and an oral solution taken by mouth; a controlled drug.
Answers
Dronabinol: frequently asked questions
What is dronabinol used for?
It is a cannabis-derived medicine used for nausea and vomiting linked to chemotherapy and for appetite loss, usually when other treatments have not worked.
Will it make me feel 'high'?
It can, because it is a form of THC from cannabis; it commonly causes dizziness, drowsiness and mind-altering effects, so you must not drive while affected.
Can it affect my mood?
Yes, it can cause mood or psychiatric effects such as anxiety, confusion or low mood, which should be reported to your team promptly.
Is it addictive?
Because it is related to cannabis, it has a potential for dependence and is a controlled drug, so it is prescribed under close supervision.
Why is it started at a low level?
It is started cautiously and adjusted slowly to find a level that helps with sickness or appetite without causing too many unwanted effects.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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