Dronabinol

Dronabinol is a man-made version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive substance found in cannabis (also known as marijuana).

Dronabinol is used to help with loss of appetite that leads to unintentional weight loss in people with AIDS.

Dronabinol is also used to treat severe nausea and vomiting that can occur due to cancer chemotherapy. Dronabinol is typically given after other medicines to control nausea and vomiting have not worked.

Dronabinol may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Tell your doctor if you feel a stronger urge to use more of this medicine.

Dronabinol may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot access it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

To stimulate appetite in people with AIDS, dronabinol is usually taken 1 hour before lunch and 1 hour before dinner.

To prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy:

• Take your first dose on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating.
• After your first dose, you may take dronabinol with or without food, but take it at the same time in relation to your meals for each chemotherapy treatment.
• Dronabinol is usually given 1 to 3 hours before your chemotherapy treatment, and then every 2 to 4 hours (up to 6 doses per day).

Older adults may need to take this medicine less often. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take the liquid medicine with a full glass of water.

You may need to follow a special diet while using dronabinol. Follow all instructions from your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods you should eat to help increase your food intake.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using dronabinol.

Do not stop using dronabinol suddenly after long-term use, or you could experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store the capsules or unopened liquid medicine in a tightly-closed container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may also store the capsules at cool room temperature, away from moisture and heat. After opening the liquid medicine, store it at room temperature. Throw away any unused liquid 42 days after opening the bottle.

Dronabinol may lead to new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), particularly if you have a history of depression or mental illness.

You should not use dronabinol capsules if you are allergic to sesame oil. You should not use dronabinol oral solution if you have had an allergic reaction to alcohol or if you are also taking disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl).

Dronabinol can increase or decrease blood pressure, especially in older adults or in individuals with heart issues.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsening mood symptoms, changes in behavior, headaches, vision problems, rapid heartbeats, or severe dizziness.

You should not use dronabinol if you are allergic to it.

You should not take dronabinol capsules if you are allergic to sesame oil.

Dronabinol oral solution (liquid medicine) contains alcohol. You should not take dronabinol liquid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to alcohol or if you also use disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl). Do not take dronabinol liquid within 14 days after or 7 days before using disulfiram or metronidazole.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medication;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• heart problems, high or low blood pressure, fainting spells, fast heartbeats;
• alcoholism or drug addiction; or
• depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

It is not known whether dronabinol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. If you have HIV or AIDS, take all of your medicines as directed to control your infection.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breastfeed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk. However, if you are being treated for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and you are breastfeeding, your doctor should check the weight of your baby often.

Dronabinol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, skin rash or burning; mouth sores; warmth, redness, or tingling; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dronabinol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• a seizure;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• feeling light-headed, as if you might pass out;
• confusion, trouble sleeping, or problems with memory or concentration;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• restlessness, feeling nervous or irritable;
• slurred speech, drowsiness;
• severe or ongoing nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; or
• increased blood pressure—severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears.

Common side effects of dronabinol may include:

• feeling "high";
• dizziness, drowsiness, thinking problems;
• unusual thoughts or fears;
• feelings of extreme happiness; or
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include changes in mood, memory problems, little or no urinating, constipation, loss of energy, problems with speech or coordination, or feeling light-headed.

Do not use marijuana while taking dronabinol.

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how dronabinol will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.

Do not drink alcohol while taking dronabinol.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the amount of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or reduce how well the medications work.

Using dronabinol with other drugs that cause drowsiness can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect dronabinol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicines you start or stop using.