Are you suffering from nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy? Or have you lost your appetite and weight due to a long-term illness? Sometimes, when other medications fail to control these conditions, your doctor may prescribe a drug called Dronabinol. So, today we will talk about what this drug is, how to use it, and what you need to be careful about.
What is Dronabinol?
Simply put, dronabinol is a medication that helps control your nausea and vomiting. It is mainly used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy for cancer that is difficult to control with other medications.
In addition, this medicine is also used to control appetite and weight loss in people with certain chronic conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called cannabinoids . Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason. Ask your doctor for more information.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Okay, now this is the most important part. Before starting this medication, you should tell your doctor about your health condition without hiding anything . Because this medication is not suitable for everyone.
| Your medical condition or problem | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction | Because there is a potential for abuse of this drug. |
| If you feel dizzy or faint when standing up | This medication can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness. |
| Heart disease (e.g. angina, heart rhythm disorders) | This medication can affect heart rate and rhythm. |
| High or low blood pressure | This medication may further lower or increase blood pressure. |
| Mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety) | This medication may alter mood or exacerbate existing conditions. |
| Seizures | Epileptic conditions may be affected. |
| Allergy to this medicine, marijuana, sesame oil, or anything else | This is essential to prevent serious allergic reactions. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | As this medicine may affect the baby, it is imperative to seek medical advice. |
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is a pill that you take by mouth. Take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed, at the right time, in the right amount. Do not increase the dose or take it more often than you think.
Children may require special care when taking this medicine, so be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
Imagine that you have taken more than the prescribed dose of medicine. If this happens, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital in Sri Lanka without delay. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This is very important: This medicine is for you only. Never share this medicine with anyone else. It can be very dangerous.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This medicine may interact with other medicines you are taking, such as alcohol, and may cause problems. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
In particular, never take this medicine together with the drug Nabilone.
In addition, this medicine may interact with the following:
- Any drink or medicine containing alcohol
- Stimulants like amphetamine
- Antihistamines for coughs, colds, and allergies
- Medication for anxiety or sleep
- Medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine)
- Antiepileptic drugs (e.g. phenobarbital)
- Medicines given to relax muscles during surgery
- Opioid painkillers
- Drugs like cocaine
This list is not complete. So for your safety, please inform your doctor about everything you are taking.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Have a responsible person with you: When you first start taking this medication, or when you increase the dosage, it's a good idea to have a responsible person with you, as you may experience mood swings, irritability, and changes in behavior.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. So , avoid doing dangerous tasks like driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not get up suddenly from a sitting or standing position. Be especially careful if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely. Alcohol can alter the effects of this medication and increase side effects.
- Marijuana: Avoid using marijuana altogether. This drug contains a similar compound to marijuana. Taking the two together can increase the risk of serious damage to the heart and nervous system.
- Appetite: If you are taking this medicine to increase your appetite, this is only one part of the treatment. Talk to your doctor about your diet and try to eat a nutritious diet.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heart palpitations | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, pounding, or irregularly. |
| Blood pressure changes | Increased or decreased blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, blurred vision). |
| Mood and behavior changes | Anxiety, agitation, seeing/hearing things you can't imagine (hallucinations), thoughts of harming yourself, increased stress. |
| Seizures | Sudden convulsions. |
| Usually not dangerous (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Dizziness | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Drowsiness |
| Feeling unusually happy | Extreme feeling of happiness or joy |
| Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting | Nausea, Stomach pain, Vomiting |
How should the medicine be stored?
It is very important to keep this medicine safe.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. It can be fatal if another adult, child, or animal ingests this medicine.
- This medicine can be abused, so keep it in a safe place to protect it from thieves.
- Store in a cool place between 8-15 degrees Celsius or in the refrigerator . Avoid freezing.
- Do not use after the expiration date. Mix any unused medicine with something like cat litter or ground coffee, place it in a tightly sealed bag or can, and dispose of it safely.
Take-Home Message
- Dronabinol is a strictly controlled medication that should only be taken on the advice of a doctor. Use it exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you are taking.
- Avoid alcohol and marijuana completely while taking the medication. Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you.
- If you experience any changes in your heartbeat, severe mood swings, or seizures, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children, pets, and others.
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