Dronabinol
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]
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Overview
Dronabinol is a {{{drugClass}}} that is FDA approved for the treatment of {{{indication}}}. Common adverse reactions include .
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Indications
Dronabinol Capsules is indicated for the 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.
Dosage
Appetite Stimulation
- Initially, 2.5 mg Dronabinol Capsules should be administered orally twice daily (b.i.d.), before lunch and supper. For patients unable to tolerate this 5 mg/day dosage of Dronabinol Capsules, the dosage can be reduced to 2.5 mg/day, administered as a single dose in the evening or at bedtime. If clinically indicated and in the absence of significant adverse effects, the dosage may be gradually increased to a maximum of 20 mg/day Dronabinol Capsules, administered in divided oral doses. Caution should be exercised in escalating the dosage of Dronabinol Capsules because of the increased frequency of dose-related adverse experiences at higher dosages.
Antiemetic
- Dronabinol Capsules are best administered at an initial dose of 5 mg/m2, given 1 to 3 hours prior to the administration of chemotherapy, then every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy is given, for a total of 4 to 6 doses/day. Should the 5 mg/m2 dose prove to be ineffective, and in the absence of significant side effects, the dose may be escalated by 2.5 mg/m2 increments to a maximum of 15 mg/m2 per dose. Caution should be exercised in dose escalation, however, as the incidence of disturbing psychiatric symptoms increases significantly at maximum dose.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
- Developed by:
- Class of Recommendation:
- Strength of Evidence:
- Dosing Information
- Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Dronabinol in adult patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
- Dosing Information
- Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Dronabinol in adult patients.
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
Condition1
- Dosing Information
- Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Dronabinol in pediatric patients.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
- Developed by:
- Class of Recommendation:
- Strength of Evidence:
- Dosing Information
- Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Dronabinol in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
- Dosing Information
- Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Dronabinol in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
- Condition1
Warnings
- Description
Precautions
- Description
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
- Adverse experiences information summarized in the tables below was derived from well-controlled clinical trials conducted in the U.S. and U.S. territories involving 474 patients exposed to Dronabinol Capsules. Studies of AIDS-related weight loss included 157 patients receiving dronabinol at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily and 67 receiving placebo. Studies of different durations were combined by considering the first occurrence of events during the first 28 days. Studies of nausea and vomiting related to cancer chemotherapy included 317 patients receiving dronabinol and 68 receiving placebo.
- A cannabinoid dose-related "high" (easy laughing, elation and heightened awareness) has been reported by patients receiving Dronabinol Capsules in the antiemetic (24%) and the lower dose appetite stimulant clinical trials (8%).
- The most frequently reported adverse experiences in patients with AIDS during placebo-controlled clinical trials involved the CNS and were reported by 33% of patients receiving Dronabinol Capsules. About 25% of patients reported a minor CNS adverse event during the first 2 weeks and about 4% reported such an event each week for the next 6 weeks thereafter.
PROBABLY CAUSALLY RELATED
Incidence greater than 1%
Rates derived from clinical trials in AIDS-related anorexia (N=157) and chemotherapy-related nausea (N=317). Rates were generally higher in the anti-emetic use (given in parentheses).
PROBABLY CAUSALLY RELATED Incidence greater than 1%
Rates derived from clinical trials in AIDS-related anorexia (N=157) and chemotherapy-related nausea (N=317). Rates were generally higher in the anti-emetic use (given in parentheses).
CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP UNKNOWN
Incidence less than 1%
The clinical significance of the association of these events with Dronabinol Capsules treatment is unknown, but they are reported as alerting information for the clinician.
Postmarketing Experience
- Seizure and seizure-like activity have been reported in patients receiving Dronabinol Capsules during marketed use of the drug and in clinical trials. (See PRECAUTIONS and OVERDOSAGE.) Reports of fatigue have also been received. A causal relationship between Dronabinol Capsules and these events has not been established.
Drug Interactions
- Drug
- Description
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Category
- Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) Pregnancy Category
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Dronabinol in women who are pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Dronabinol during labor and delivery.
Nursing Mothers
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol with respect to nursing mothers.
Pediatric Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol with respect to pediatric patients.
Geriatic Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol with respect to geriatric patients.
Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol with respect to specific gender populations.
Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol with respect to specific racial populations.
Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol in patients with hepatic impairment.
Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Dronabinol in women of reproductive potentials and males.
Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Dronabinol in patients who are immunocompromised.
Administration and Monitoring
Administration
- Oral
- Intravenous
Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Monitoring of Dronabinol in the drug label.
- Description
IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Dronabinol in the drug label.
Overdosage
- Signs and symptoms following MILD Dronabinol Capsules intoxication include drowsiness, euphoria, heightened sensory awareness, altered time perception, reddened conjunctiva, dry mouth and tachycardia; following MODERATE intoxication include memory impairment, depersonalization, mood alteration, urinary retention, and reduced bowel motility; and following SEVERE intoxication include decreased motor coordination, lethargy, slurred speech, and postural hypotension. Apprehensive patients may experience panic reactions and seizures may occur in patients with existing seizure disorders.
- The estimated lethal human dose of intravenous dronabinol is 30 mg/kg (2100 mg/ 70 kg). Significant CNS symptoms in antiemetic studies followed oral doses of 0.4 mg/kg (28 mg/70 kg) of Dronabinol Capsules.
Management
- A potentially serious oral ingestion, if recent, should be managed with gut decontamination. In unconscious patients with a secure airway, instill activated charcoal (30 to 100 g in adults, 1 to 2 g/kg in infants) via a nasogastric tube. A saline cathartic or sorbitol may be added to the first dose of activated charcoal. Patients experiencing depressive, hallucinatory or psychotic reactions should be placed in a quiet area and offered reassurance. Benzodiazepines (5 to 10 mg diazepam po) may be used for treatment of extreme agitation. Hypotension usually responds to Trendelenburg position and IV fluids. Pressors are rarely required.
Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Dronabinol Pharmacology in the drug label.
Mechanism of Action
Structure
Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Pharmacodynamics of Dronabinol in the drug label.
Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Pharmacokinetics of Dronabinol in the drug label.
Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Nonclinical Toxicology of Dronabinol in the drug label.
Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Clinical Studies of Dronabinol in the drug label.
How Supplied
- Dronabinol Capsules are available containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg of dronabinol.
- The 2.5 mg capsule is an opaque off-white soft gelatin capsule printed with INS in black ink. They are available as follows:
NDC 0378-8170-91 bottles of 60 capsules
- The 5 mg capsule is an opaque maroon or brown soft gelatin capsule printed with INS in white ink. They are available as follows:
NDC 0378-8171-91 bottles of 60 capsules
- The 10 mg capsule is an opaque tan to tan-orange soft gelatin capsule printed with INS in black ink. They are available as follows:
NDC 0378-8172-91 bottles of 60 capsules
Storage
- Dronabinol Capsules should be packaged in a well-closed container and stored in a refrigerator between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F). Protect from freezing and light.
Images
Drug Images
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Package and Label Display Panel
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Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Patient Counseling Information of Dronabinol in the drug label.
Precautions with Alcohol
- Alcohol-Dronabinol interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.
Brand Names
- ®[1]
Look-Alike Drug Names
- A® — B®[2]
Drug Shortage Status
Price
References
The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.
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