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Two synthetic cannabinoid tablets, dronabinol and nabilone, have been approved for chemotherapy nausea since 1985 and can help when standard anti-sickness drugs fail. Modern antiemetics work better for most people, and evidence for herbal cannabis or vaped products is thin.
Dronabinol (synthetic THC) and nabilone were approved by the FDA in 1985 for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting refractory to conventional antiemetics. Trials from that era showed superiority over placebo and prochlorperazine, at the price of dizziness, dysphoria and sedation; there are no adequate head-to-head trials against 5-HT3 antagonists, NK1 antagonists or olanzapine, which are now first-line. ASCO and MASCC/ESMO antiemetic guidelines list FDA-approved cannabinoids as an option for breakthrough or refractory nausea. A 2024 randomised trial from Australia found an oral THC:CBD extract added to standard antiemetics reduced refractory nausea, a signal the 2024 ASCO cannabis guideline cites while noting the evidence for herbal cannabis remains limited. Smoked or vaped cannabis has not been adequately tested and carries respiratory and psychoactive risks. Cannabinoids can also cause cannabinoid hyperemesis with heavy chronic use.
THC activates CB1 receptors in the dorsal vagal complex and area postrema, suppressing emetic signalling; CBD may act via 5-HT1A.
Query for this technology: (TITLE:"Cannabinoids for chemotherapy nausea" OR ABSTRACT:"Cannabinoids for chemotherapy nausea" OR TITLE:"dronabinol, nabilone, medical cannabis" OR ABSTRACT:"dronabinol, nabilone, medical cannabis") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Cannabinoids for chemotherapy nausea (dronabinol, nabilone, medical cannabis), not a curated reading list.
Shares Antiemetics for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Antiemetics for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.