What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-A history of substance use disorder
-Dizziness or fainting spells on standing
-Heart disease, including angina or irregular heart rate
-High or low blood pressure
-Mental health conditions
-Seizures
-An unusual or allergic reaction to dronabinol, marijuana, sesame oil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Nabilone
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alcohol-containing medications or drinks
-Amphetamine or other stimulant medications
-Antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
-Atropine
-Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
-Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
-Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine
-Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-Certain medications for Parkinson's disease, such as benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
-Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital, primidone
-Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
-Cocaine
-Disulfiram
-General anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-Ipratropium
-Lithium
-Local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine
-Medications that relax muscles for surgery
-Opioid medications for pain
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-Theophylline
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
The first time you take this medication or have an increase in dose make sure there is a responsible person nearby. You may experience mood changes, easy laughter, or other changes in behavior.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you have low blood pressure or if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you are taking this medication to improve your appetite, this is only part of your therapy. Discuss what you can eat and ways of improving your diet with your care team or nutritionist. Frequent small snacks as well as regular meals can help provide extra calories and protein.
Do not smoke marijuana while you are taking this medication. It is similar to one of the active substances found in marijuana. You are at increased risk of serious heart and/or nervous system side effects if these substances are used together.