should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for. Dronabinol should never be given to another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug addiction or habitual marijuana use. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not use dronabinol if you have ever had an allergic reaction to natural or
man-made marijuana.
Before taking dronabinol, tell your doctor if you have a seizure disorder, high blood
pressure, heart disease, a history of mental illness or drug addiction, or if you are also using other
medicines that can affect your central nervous system, such as a tranquilizer, sleep medicine, or
anti-psychotic medications.
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts
or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Avoid using other medicines that affect the central nervous system (such as stimulants,
diet pills, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures,
depression, anxiety, mental illness, or Parkinson's disease). These other drugs can add to the
effects of dronabinol.
Dronabinol causes effects that will impair your thinking or reactions. Do not drive or
do anything that requires you to be awake and alert until the effects of dronabinol wear off.
There are many other medicines that can add to the side effects of
dronabinol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What is dronabinol?
Dronabinol is a man-made form of cannabis (marijuana is an herbal form of cannabis).
Dronabinol causes many effects on your central nervous system.
Dronabinol is used to treat loss of appetite in people with AIDS. It is also used to treat
severe nausea and vomiting that is caused by cancer chemotherapy. Dronabinol is for use only
when other medications have been unable to control the nausea and vomiting.
Dronabinol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking dronabinol?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sesame oil, or if you have ever had
an allergic reaction to natural or man-made marijuana such as dronabinol or nabilone (Cesamet).
Before using dronabinol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
high blood pressure (hypertension);
-
heart disease;
-
past or present mental illness such as depression,
schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders;
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
-
if you are also using other medicines that can affect your
central nervous system, such as a tranquilizer, sleep medicine, or anti-psychotic medications.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
dronabinol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Dronabinol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for. Dronabinol should never be given to another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or habitual marijuana use. Keep the medication in a
secure place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Dronabinol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be especially sensitive to the side effects of dronabinol.
Dronabinol is not for use in patients younger than 18 years old.
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