Dronabinol (Systemic)
Brand Names : Marinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dronabinol, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to dronabinol, marijuana products, or sesame oil. Also tell
your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However,
studies in animals have shown that dronabinol, given in doses many times the
usual human dose, increases the risk of death of the fetus and decreases the
number of live babies born.
Breast-feeding - Dronabinol passes into human breast milk. There
is a possibility that serious unwanted effects may occur in the nursing infant.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of dronabinol in children with use in other age groups, the effects that
this medicine may have on the mind may be of special concern in children.
Children should be watched closely while they are taking this medicine.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of patients up to 82 years of age and has not been shown to cause different
side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However,
the effects this medicine may have on the mind may be of special concern in
the elderly. Therefore, older people should be watched closely while they
are taking this medicine.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
dronabinol, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicine that causes drowsiness)
or
-
Tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression) - Taking
these medicines with dronabinol may increase the CNS depressant effects
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of dronabinol. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
-
Drug abuse or dependence (or history of) - Dependence on dronabinol
may develop
-
Bipolar disorder (manic or depressive states) or
-
Heart disease or
-
High blood pressure (hypertension) or
-
Severe mental illness - Dronabinol may make the condition worse
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