This medication is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It is used when other drugs to control nausea and vomiting have not been successful. Dronabinol is also used to treat loss of appetite and weight loss in patients infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Dronabinol (also called THC) is a man-made form of the active natural substance in marijuana.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. If you are taking this medication to control nausea and vomiting, your dose is also based on your body size.

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often without your doctor's approval. Your risk of serious side effects may be increased. If you are taking dronabinol to stimulate appetite (for AIDS patients), do not take more than 20 milligrams per day unless approved by your doctor.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, trouble sleeping, restlessness, hot flashes, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Although it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit-forming). Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.

Inform your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, feeling "high", an exaggerated sense of well-being, lightheadedness, headache, red eyes, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, clumsiness, or unsteadiness may occur, especially during the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: weakness, flushing of the face, fast/pounding heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., difficulty concentrating, memory loss, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts, paranoia, depression, nervousness), slurred speech, ringing in the ears, vision changes, fainting.

It is important that you take this medication under the supervision of a responsible adult because mental, mood, or behavior changes may occur. If you experience any such effects, remain calm and try not to panic. Tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more dronabinol until after you consult with your doctor.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking dronabinol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to marijuana or sesame oil; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances, heart disease, high blood pressure, mental/mood conditions (e.g., mania, depression, schizophrenia), seizure disorder.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or affect your judgment. Do not engage in activities requiring alertness and clear thinking, such as driving or using machinery, until you know how this medication affects you and until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Alcohol can worsen these side effects. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness and mental/mood changes.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness and mental/mood changes.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy because of possible unborn baby/infant harm reported with marijuana exposure (dronabinol contains the active substance found in marijuana). Consult your doctor for more details.

This drug passes into breast milk. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: disulfiram.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take recreational or "street" drugs (e.g., "uppers" such as amphetamines, cocaine) because they may cause serious interactions with this medication.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital), medicine for sleep (e.g., zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), antidepressant drugs (e.g., amitriptyline, fluoxetine), tranquilizers.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness or make your heart beat faster. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness, fast heartbeat, panic reaction, seizures.

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

Keep all medical appointments so your doctor can monitor your weight and response to treatment and check for side effects.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place between 46-59 degrees F (8-15 degrees C) away from light and moisture. This medication may be refrigerated, but do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.