Dronabinol, Oral droh-NAB-i-nol

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiemetic (antinausea); appetite stimulant

Generic and brand names: dronabinol, oral; Marinol

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. This medicine is also used to stimulate the appetite of people with AIDS who are losing weight. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine, marijuana products, or sesame oil
• seizures
• heart disease
• high or low blood pressure
• liver disease
• mental health problems such as depression, mania, or schizophrenia
• problems with alcohol or substance abuse

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. This medicine may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.

Do not break, crush, or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dry mouth, extreme drowsiness, fast heartbeat, memory problems, decreased urination, confusion, loss of coordination, panic, fainting, slurred speech, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy and may interfere with your coordination and ability to think clearly. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and thinking clearly.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine can cause mood changes and behavior changes. Contact your healthcare provider if they are severe.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe mood changes, panic attacks, hallucinations, severe confusion, unusual behavior, severe depression, slurred speech, seizures, fast or irregular heartbeat.

Other: Anxiety, headache, memory problems, weakness, dry mouth, unsteadiness, tingling, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• amphetamines such as amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• anticholinergic medicines such as amantadine (Symmetrel), atropine sulfate, belladonna, benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), methscopolamine (Pamine), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex), procyclidine (Kemadrin), propantheline, and trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), tiagabine (Gabitril), topiramate (Topamax), and valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene, Depakote)
• barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and phenobarbital
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam, lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion)
• bronchodilators such as aminophylline, dyphylline (Lufyllin), and theophylline
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• cold and flu medicines and medicine for allergies or hay fever, especially antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), and promethazine (Phenergan)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• lithium (Lithobid)
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), and pentazocine (Talwin)
• prochlorperazine
• sleeping pills such as chloral hydrate, eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.