Medical Jane Reports On the 3 Synthetic Cannabinoid Medicines Approved By The FDA

2 May 2017

Here’s what Medical Jane has to say

Marinol (dronabinol)

marinolMarinol is the brand name for an oral form of dronabinol (dro-NAB-in-all). It is indicated for treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS, and nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments.

Marinol capsules contain 2.5, 5, or 10 mg of dronabinol. Marinol does not contain any actual plant cannabinoids. Created to mimic natural delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), dronabinol is a synthetically-derived cannabinoid designated chemically as (6aR-trans)-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-1-ol.

What is dronabinol?

Dronabinol is a light yellow, sticky resinous oil formulated in sesame oil. It is insoluble in water and, therefore, only a fraction of the orally ingested compound reaches the patient’s circulation. This amount is further reduced by the action of the liver, which recognizes dronabinol as a contaminant, and removes it from the bloodstream. As a result, researchers have estimated that only 10 to 20 percent of the dronabinol in each capsule actually reaches its target in the body.

The important main difference between dronabinol and THC is the origin of their existence. Dronabinol is man-made and manufactured in a laboratory, while the actual THC cannabinoid is produced naturally by the cannabis plant.

Marinol Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions

  • Marinol capsules contain sesame oil and should never be used by patients allergic to such.
  • Seizure and seizure-like activity have been reported in patients receiving Marinol capsules.
  • Patients with cardiac disorders should use precaution because of possible occasional hypotension, possible hypertension, syncope, or tachycardia.
  • Marinol can be addictive so capsules should be used with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse, including alcohol abuse or dependence, because they may be more prone to abuse Marinol as well.
  • Marinol capsules should be used with caution and careful psychiatric monitoring in patients with mania, depression, or schizophrenia because Marinol may exacerbate these illnesses.
  • Marinol capsules should be used with caution in patients receiving accompanying therapy with CNS drugs (drugs that are commonly used as sedatives, hypnotics, sleep aids, and anesthetics) because of the potential for additive or synergistic effects of those drugs.
  • Marinol capsules should be used with caution in elderly patients because they may be more sensitive to the neurological, psychoactive, and postural hypotensive effects of the drug.
  • Patients receiving treatment with Marinol capsules should be alerted to the potential for additive central nervous system depression if used with alcohol or other CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
  • Patients using Marinol capsules should be advised of possible changes in mood and other adverse behavioral effects of the drug so as to avoid panic in the event of such manifestations.

Read the full article at  https://www.medicaljane.com/2017/05/01/the-3-cannabis-based-medicines-approved-by-the-fda/

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