Basic Profile / Key Facts
Drug Category
- Analgesics
- Psychotropic Drugs
- Hallucinogens
- Antiemetics
Dosage Forms
Indications
For the treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS, and nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments
Pharmacology
Dronabinol may has complex effects on the central nervous system (CNS), including cannabinoid receptors. Dronabinol may inhibit endorphins in the emetic center, suppress prostaglandin synthesis, and/or inhibit medullary activity through an unspecified cortical action.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of dronabinol is not completely understood. It is thought that cannabinoid receptors in neural tissues may mediate the effects of dronabinol and other cannabinoids. Animal studies with other cannabinoids suggest that dronabinol's antiemetic effects may be due to inhibition of the vomiting control mechanism in the medulla oblongata.
Absorption
90 - 95%
Toxicity
Not Available
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Hepatic
Contraindications
Contraindications for Dronabinol:
Dronabinol capsules is contraindicated in any patient who has a history of hypersensitivity to any cannabinoid or sesame oil.
Drug Interactions
Interactions for Dronabinol:
In studies involving patients with AIDS and/or cancer, MARINOL (Dronabinol) Capsules has been co-administered with a variety of medications (e.g., cytotoxic agents, anti-infective agents, sedatives, or opioid analgesics) without resulting in any clinically significant drug/drug interactions. Although no drug/drug interactions were discovered during the clinical trials of MARINOL Capsules, cannabinoids may interact with other medications through both metabolic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms. Dronabinol is highly protein bound to plasma proteins, and therefore, might displace other protein-bound drugs. Although this displacement has not been confirmed in vivo, practitioners should monitor patients for a change in dosage requirements when administering dronabinol to patients receiving other highly protein-bound drugs.
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