What is Dronabinol? Uses, effects, side effects & warnings

What is Dronabinol?

Dronabinol, also known as marijuana, is a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol. Dronabinol can be used to treat weight gain that is caused by a loss of appetite in HIV-positive people. Dronabinol can also be used to relieve nausea and vomiting related to cancer chemotherapy treatments. Dronabinol can be given when other medications to treat nausea and vomiting are not working. Dronabinol can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Dronabinol

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: mouth sores, hives, skin irritation or burning, warmth, redness or tingling, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat

Dronabinol can cause serious side effects. If you experience:

a seizure;
Fast or pounding heartbeats
A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
Confusion, difficulty sleeping, memory, or concentration problems
Unusual changes in mood or behavior
Restlessness is a feeling of nervousness or irritation.
Slurred speech, drowsiness
Experience nausea, vomiting or stomach discomfort? These could be symptoms of serious illness requiring medical intervention.
Increased blood pressure; severe headache; blurred vision; or a pounding sensation in the neck or ears

Some of the common side effects associated with dronabinol include:

Feeling "high"
Dizziness, drowsiness, and thinking problems
Unusual thoughts or fears
Extreme happiness is a feeling.
nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects. For medical advice regarding them.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Warnings

Dronabinol can cause or worsen psychosis (unusual thinking or behavior), particularly if you've ever suffered from depression. If you have an allergy to sesame, do not take dronabinol. If you are allergic to alcohol or if your other medications include disulfiram or metronidazole, you should avoid using a dronabinol orally administered solution. Dronabinol may raise or lower blood tension, particularly in older adults and people with heart conditions. If you experience new or worsening symptoms of depression, such as changes in your behavior, headaches or vision problems, rapid pulses, or dizziness, call your doctor immediately.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to dronabinol, do not take it. If you have an allergy to sesame, do not take dronabinol. Dronabinol oral solution (liquid medicine) contains alcohol. If you are allergic to alcohol or use metronidazole or disulfiram (Antabuse), you should not take the liquid. You should not take dronabinol within 7 days of using metronidazole or disulfiram.

Inform your physician of any of the following issues:

An allergy to any drug;
Epilepsy
Heart problems include high or lower blood pressure, fainting episodes, and rapid heartbeats.
drug abuse or alcoholism?
depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

Unknown is whether dronabinol can harm an unborn child.Inform your physician immediately if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. HIV can be transmitted to your child if you do not receive the proper treatment during pregnancy. Take all your medications as directed if you have HIV/AIDS. Women who have HIV or AIDS shouldn't breastfeed a child. Even if the baby is not born with HIV, it can be transmitted to the infant through your breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are receiving chemotherapy for cancer, your doctor will need to monitor your baby's weight. Dronabinol cannot be used by anyone under the age of 18.

How to take Dronabinol?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Follow the instructions on your medicine. If you are feeling a greater urge to take this medicine, tell your doctor. Dronabinol can be addictive.Misuse of drugs may result in addiction, overdose and possibly even death.. Store it in a safe place that others cannot reach. It is illegal to sell or give away this medication. Dronabinol can be taken one hour before eating lunch or dinner to stimulate the appetite of people with AIDS.

Prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

Do not eat for at least 30 minutes after taking your first dose.
You can take dronabinol either with or without food after your first dose. However, it is important to take the medication at the same time each day for each chemotherapy treatment.
Dronabinol can be given up to six times per day, starting 1 to 3 hours prior to your chemotherapy treatment.

Dosage may differ for older adults; be sure to heed any recommendations given by your healthcare provider regarding dosage. Do not open, crush, chew on, or break your capsule. Measuring liquid medicine accurately is of vital importance, so be sure to use either the provided dosing device or another approved dose-measuring tool (not spoon!) when measuring liquid medication. Take the liquid medicine along with a glass of full water. It is possible that you will need to adhere to a special diet when using dronabinol. Please follow the instructions from your doctor or dietitian. Find out what foods to eat in order to increase your intake. If your symptoms don't improve or worsen while taking dronabinol, call your doctor.

If you suddenly stop taking dronabinol after long-term usage, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can tell you how to stop taking this medication safely. Keep the capsules and liquid medicine tightly closed in the fridge. Do not freeze. Store the capsules in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture. Store the liquid medicine at room temperature after opening it. After opening the bottle, throw away any liquid that is not used within 42 days.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms of an overdose may include mood changes, difficulty concentrating, constipation or little urination, a lack of energy, or speech problems.

What should be avoided?

Don't use marijuana when taking dronabinol. Do not drive or operate machinery until you have a better understanding of how dronabinol affects you. Falls or other accidents can be caused by dizziness or extreme drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol when taking dronabinol.

Interaction with other drug

It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective. This effect can be worsened by dronabinol when combined with other drugs that make you sleepy. Before taking an opioid, a sleeping tablet, a muscle-relaxing medication, or medicine to treat anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also affect dronabinol. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.