What is dronabinol?

Dronabinol is the internationally accepted name for the most important active ingredient in the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa L. Its chemical name is (-)-trans-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), often abbreviated to "THC". Dronabinol is extracted from hemp plant extract using a special process.

The History of Dronabinol

Hemp has a long tradition as a medicinal plant for a variety of ailments, dating back to pre-Christian times. Hemp came to Europe around the Middle Ages. Until the 20th century, tinctures made from hemp were freely available in pharmacies for medicinal purposes. It was not until 1961 that an international agreement severely restricted or abandoned the cultivation, trade and consumption of this plant worldwide. After research was able to demonstrate therapeutically useful properties of the ingredient dronabinol in particular, the legislature in Austria approved dronabinol for medical purposes from 2000. Today, any type of this substance can be prescribed on a narcotic prescription. The pharmacist produces dronabinol as a prescription drug in drop or capsule form for the patient individually according to the prescription.

How is dronabinol used?

Dronabinol has a very broad spectrum of effects that manifest themselves in many organs of the body. The key to understanding this variety of effects was provided by the discovery of the body's own cannabinoid system. Depending on the functions of the system and the active properties of the substance, doctors can use dronabinol to treat symptoms of various diseases, usually as part of an existing treatment concept.

dosage

The medication is taken according to the doctor's instructions, generally best in the morning and evening before meals. Since each patient reacts differently to the active ingredient, the doctor sets the dose individually and adjusts it again if necessary during the course of therapy. It is therefore important that you consult with your doctor at short intervals and strictly adhere to the dosage recommendations. This phase of dose adjustment can last up to 4 weeks, or longer in individual cases.

What should I do if I take too much or too little dronabinol?
If you forget to take Dronabinol, there is no need to worry. Take your next dose at the normal time as prescribed by your doctor. Never take a double dose to compensate!!! If you are unsure, please consult your doctor. If you have overdosed, consult your doctor as well!!

Side effects:

What side effects can occur after taking dronabinol?
As with any medication, side effects can occur with dronabinol. In particular, excessive dose increases at short intervals can provoke side effects. However, they can often be avoided or minimized by increasing the dose slowly.
Side effects may include:

fatigue
dizziness
Impaired reaction
dry mouth
Temporary pulse acceleration
Temporary drop in blood pressure when standing
Red eyes
Increased sensory perception
Diarrhea
mood changes
Fear

If these or other side effects occur, please inform your doctor.

Some of the possible effects (e.g. cardiovascular reactions, fatigue, dizziness) may subside after a few days of continued use of dronabinol.

What pre-existing medical conditions should you inform your doctor about?

heart disease
Psychiatric illnesses (schizophrenic psychoses, mania, depression)
Previous or existing addictions (alcohol, medication, drugs)
Pregnant women should avoid treatment with dronabinol if possible. The same applies to breastfeeding mothers.

Which concomitant medications should you inform your doctor about?

Dronabinol may interact with other medications.
This applies especially to

Medicines that act on the central nervous system, such as sedatives or sleeping pills
alcohol
Tricyclic antidepressants
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
theophylline

dronabinol