Health Library

Dronabinol (By mouth)

Dronabinol (droe-NAB-i-nol)

Treats nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines, when other medicines did not work. Also used to treat loss of appetite in patients with AIDS.

Brand Name(s):

Syndros

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Capsule: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Oral liquid:
  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
  • Open the bottle by pushing down firmly on the child-resistant cap and turn it counter-clockwise.
  • Place the open bottle upright on a flat surface. Push down on the adapter until the ribbed end of the adapter fits into the neck of the bottle as far as it will go. The top edge of the adapter should be in full contact with the top rim of the bottle. Do not remove the adapter from the bottle.
  • Use one hand to hold the oral syringe. Push down the plunger with your other hand. Keep the bottle in an upright position, insert the syringe tip firmly into the adapter.
  • Turn the bottle upside down with the syringe tip still inserted into the adapter. Slowly pull back on the plunger until the measuring ring is at the line marking that matches the needed dose.
  • If you see air bubbles in the syringe, push in the plunger so that the oral liquid flows back into the bottle. Then, pull up the prescribed dose.
  • Leave the oral syringe in the adapter and turn the bottle to an upright position. Place the bottle onto a flat surface. Remove the oral syringe from the bottle adapter by gently pulling straight up.
  • Place the oral syringe in the back of your mouth on top of your tongue. Slightly tilt your head back and close your lips around the barrel of the syringe. Slowly push down the plunger and swallow. Drink a full glass of water.
  • If you are giving this medicine through a feeding tube: Place the oral syringe into the feeding tube. Slowly push down the plunger until syringe is empty. Flush the feeding tube with 30 mL water.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• • Capsule: Store medicine in its original container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
  • Oral liquid: Store the unopened medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may keep the opened bottle at room temperature for up to 42 days. Throw away any unused medicine 42 days after opening the bottle.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used disulfiram or metronidazole within the past 14 days. Do not use disulfiram or metronidazole within 7 days after treatment with dronabinol.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how dronabinol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Amiodarone, amoxapine, amphetamine, amphotericin B, atropine, buspirone, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lithium, phenobarbital, ritonavir, scopolamine, warfarin
  • Medicine to treat depression (including amitriptyline, desipramine)
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are also using muscle relaxer.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.
• Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 9 days after your last dose, if you are being treated for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines. Dronabinol is a synthetic cannabinoid and may be passed through your breast milk to your baby. This can affect your baby's feeding pattern and decrease his or her body weight. If you breastfeed during treatment with this medicine, your baby's weight will need to be monitored.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, substance or alcohol use disorder, or a history of seizures or mental health problems (including depression, mania, or schizophrenia).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Change in mood or behavior
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Seizures
• This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, or to feel a false sense of well-being. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast or slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Seizures
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior, feeling depressed

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness, confusion
• New or worsening nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• Problems with memory, trouble thinking clearly

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 9/6/2024