Dronabinol
See alsoMarijuana
Pronunciation:droh-NAB-i-nol
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:1972-08-3
Formal Names:Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Marinol, THC
Type:Hallucinogen.Seepage 25
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule III (DEA no. 7369)
USA Availability:Prescription
Pregnancy Category:C
Uses.This is a pure form of THC, the main active ingredient found in the
Schedule I substancemarijuana. Dronabinol can be obtained from marijuana
or manufactured synthetically. Compared to infrequent marijuana users, fre-
quent marijuana users are better at identifying whether they have received
dronabinol or a placebo.
Dronabinol is used to reduce nausea in persons undergoing cancer che-
motherapy and to stimulate appetite in AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome) patients. Alzheimer’s patients who received experimental drona-
binol showed improved appetites and reduction of behavior associated with
the disease. Research indicates that the drug may widen airways, a help to
persons suffering from breathing difficulty. Experimental success has also
been achieved in treating spasticity, reducing not only that affliction but its
associated rigidity and pain. Research has also examined whether dronabinol
may work as a cough medicine. Human testing shows that oral dosage of
dronabinol’s active ingredient THC can help reduce pain.
Drawbacks.Dronabinol can redden eyes and accelerate or slow heartbeat.
Sometimes users feel faint upon suddenly standing up. Many of marijuana’s
actions are experienced with dronabinol: euphoria, hallucinations, more acute-
ness in physical senses, altered time perception, memory trouble, confusion,
and drowsiness. Not everyone finds marijuana actions to be pleasant, and
some nausea patients find those effects so unpleasant that they would rather
forgo the dronabinol and endure the nausea. Some other effects associated
with marijuana have not been observed with medical use of dronabinol, such
as trouble with thinking skills and lack of ambition.
Abuse factors.Tolerance occurs to some of the drug’s actions but not to
appetite stimulation. Dependence is reported, with withdrawal symptoms in-