Marijuana
Information About Dronabinol (Marinol)
Description Of Dronabinol (Marinol)
Dronabinol is a synthetic version of THC. THC is the primary active ingredient in Marijuana. It produces a high or stoned feeling but also stimulates appetite and soothes nausea.
Dronabinol was approved by the government in 1985 for treating the nausea produced by chemotherapy in cancer patients. In 1992 it was approved for prescription to people with AIDS to stimulate appetite and combat weight loss.
The company that makes Marinol has set up an assistance program for those who have no insurance. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects
The most common side effect is feeling euphoric or high. Other side effects include dizziness, drowsiness and abnormal thinking.
Dosage
Dronabinol is sold in 2.5 mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules. Doses used in studies ranged from 2.5 - 20 mg a day.
How Long It May Take To Work
An increase in appetite 1-2 hours after taking drug would demonstrate that the treatment is working.
Managing Side Effects
Side effects often go away after a few days of continued use. If they don’t, taking the drug one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner often helps.
If side effects continue despite this dosing schedule, taking one 2.5 mg capsule before going to bed has been successful in some people.
Abuse Potential Of Dronabinol (Marinol)
by Calhoun SR, Galloway GP, Smith DE
Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc.
San Francisco, California 94117, USA.
J Psychoactive Drugs 1998 Apr-Jun; 30(2):187-96
Abstract
Dronabinol is an oral form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol indicated for treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in individuals with AIDS, and nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
The authors reviewed the literature and conducted surveys and interviews among addiction medicine specialists, oncologists, researchers in cancer and HIV treatment, and law enforcement personnel to determine the abuse liability of dronabinol.
There is no evidence of abuse or diversion of dronabinol. Available prescription tracking data indicates that use remains within the therapeutic dosage range over time.
Healthcare professionals have detected no indication of scrip-chasing or doctor-shopping among the patients for whom they have prescribed dronabinol.
Cannabis-dependent populations, such as those treated in our Clinic and seen by the addiction medicine specialists we interviewed, have demonstrated no interest in abuse of dronabinol.
There is no street market for dronabinol, and no evidence of any diversion of dronabinol for sale as a street drug.
Furthermore, dronabinol does not provide effects that are considered desirable in a drug of abuse.
The onset of action is slow and gradual, it is at most only weakly reinforcing, and the overwhelming majority of reports of users indicate that its effects are dysphoric and unappealing. This profile of effects gives dronabinol a very low abuse potential.
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Two eminent Harvard researchers describe the medical benefits of marihuana, explain why its use has been forbidden, and argue for its full legalization to make it available to patients who need it.
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Marijuana Medicine
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