Tetrahydrocannabinol vomiting

Dronabinol (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active principle from cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, nabilone and levonantradol are effective in treating nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy. The mode of action is unclear but appears to involve cannabinoid CBi receptors. Cannabinoids have been shown to reduce acetylcholine release in the cortex and hippocampus, and have been suggested to inhibit medullary activity by a cortical action. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and release of endorphins may also be involved in the antiemetic effect. A review of trials of dronabinol, nabilone or levonantradol concluded that while the cannabinoids were superior to placebo or dopamine receptor antagonists in controlling emesis... 

So, the 20th century actually led to an almost total disappearance of C. sativa for medicinal purposes. The only source for THC, which became the focus of scientific research, was fhe rafher fedious exfracfion and purification from confiscated hashish or marihuana. In 1972 the first commercially viable total synthesis of A9-THC was established and it became the first cannabinoid available as a modern medicine in the form of soft gel capsules (the active ingredient being called dronabinol from tetrahydrocannabinol) under the trade name Marinol for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during cancer chemotherapy. 

Contraindications Treatment of nausea and vomiting not caused by chemotherapy, hypersensitivity to sesame oil or tetrahydrocannabinol products... 

A9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-THC) is considered to be the predominant compound in preparations of C. sativa (marijuana, hashish, bhang) that is responsible for the central nervous system effects in humans. The recognized central nervous system responses to these preparations include alterations in cognition and memory, euphoria, and sedation. Potential therapeutic applications of cannabis preparations that are of either historical or contemporary interest include analgesia, attenuation of the nausea and vomiting of cancer chemotherapy, appetite stimulation, decreased intestinal motility of diarrhea, decreased bronchial constriction of asthma, decreased intraocular pressure of glaucoma, antirheumatic and antipyretic actions, and treatment of convulsant disorders. These effects have been reviewed recently (Howlett, 1995). 

Dronabinol (A9-tetrahydrocannabinol THC Marinol) is FDA approved for treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetics. With mildly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, it is more effective than placebo and equivalent or superior to oral prochlorperazine. Dry mouth, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, ataxia, dizziness, and dysphoria occur frequently, particularly in middle-aged and older patients. 

Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid and has properties similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (the active constituent of marijuana) which has an antiemetic action. It is used to relieve nausea or vomiting caused by cytotoxic drugs. Adverse effects include somnolence, dry mouth, decreased appetite, dizziness, euphoria, dysphoria, postural hypotension, confusion and psychosis. These may be reduced if prochlorperazine is given concomitantly. 

Sesame oU solubilizes 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg dronabinol, also known as A-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, in Marinol soft gelatin capsules. Dronabinol is the principal psychoactive component of cannabis and hnds therapeutic application as an anti-emetic for treatment of the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy or as an appetite stimulant to treat AIDS wasting syndrome. Dronabinol exists as a hydrophobic oil at ambient room temperature, and after oral administration is almost completely absorbed (90-95%). However, the bioavailability of dronabinol is only about 10-20% due to extensive hepatic hrst-pass metabolism. The dose of dronabinol is 2.5-10 mg (one capsule) twice daily. Marinol soft gelatin capsules should be stored at 8-15° C and must be protected from freezing. Marinol is available in the USA. 

Dronabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol marinol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that can be synthesized chemically or extracted from the marijuana plant. Cannabis sativa. The antiemetic action of dronabinol probably relates to stimulation of the CBj subtype of cannabinoid receptors on neurons in and around the vomiting center. 

A -frar s-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive (euphoriant) constituent of marijuana. Cannabis sativa. The synthetic form of THC (dronabinol) was approved approximately 20 years ago to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and it has been used for a lesser amount of time to treat appetite loss in patients with HIV/AIDS (44). More recently, an approximately 1 1 mixture of THC and the structurally related marijuana constituent cannabidiol has been approved in Canada for the alleviation of neuropathic pain and spasticity fcr patients with multiple sclerosis and is administered in low doses as a buccal spray (53). Ccnsiderable interest exists in using cannabinoid derivatives based on THC for medicinal purpcses, but it is necessary to minimize the central nervous system effects of these compounds. 

Marinol is a synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal constituent of marijuana. It is prescribed to clients receiving chemotherapy to help treat nausea and vomiting. 

Marijuana consists of the leaves and flowering parts of the plant Cannabis sativa and is usually smoked in cigarettes ( joints or reefers ) or pipes or added to food (usually cookies or brownies). Resin from the plant may be dried and compressed into blocks called hashish. Marijuana contains a number of cannabinoids the primary psychoactive one is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is also available in capsule form (dronabinol or Marinol) as an appetite stimulant, used primarily for AIDS-related anorexia, and as treatment for vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. 

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