Effects of dronabinol: A Synthesis of Findings from 13 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Main Research Findings

Dronabinol, a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, has shown promise as a potential treatment for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), pain, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation. 4 , , 13 , 7 , 2 Research has shown that dronabinol can effectively reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, improve appetite in patients with AIDS, and potentially improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. 2 , 13 In addition, dronabinol has demonstrated the ability to suppress the rewarding effects of morphine, reduce morphine-induced vomiting, and decrease the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

Dronabinol offers potential benefits in managing a range of conditions, including improving appetite, reducing nausea and vomiting, alleviating pain, and potentially improving sleep. 13 , 4 , , 7 It may also serve as an adjunct to opioids in pain management, helping to mitigate their adverse effects.

Risks Summary

Dronabinol carries risks, including psychoactive effects that can impact driving ability and concentration, as well as potential side effects like anxiety, drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, and auditory hallucinations. 11 , 13 Overdose and drug interactions are also possible, emphasizing the importance of adhering to medical guidance for safe use. 7 , 3 Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions like heart or liver disease, should consult with their doctors before using dronabinol.

Comparison Across Studies

Similarities Across Studies

Multiple studies consistently suggest that dronabinol holds potential therapeutic value for addressing a variety of conditions. 4 , 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 These studies indicate that dronabinol may effectively reduce appetite loss, nausea, pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Differences Across Studies

The effects of dronabinol can vary depending on dosage and individual patient characteristics. 11 , 8 , 1 It’s crucial to use dronabinol under medical supervision and adhere to prescribed dosage guidelines to minimize potential risks and maximize therapeutic benefits.

Consistency and Contradictions in Findings

While research consistently points to dronabinol’s potential therapeutic value for various conditions, its efficacy can differ among individuals. 4 , 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 Its psychoactive nature also necessitates caution, as it can affect driving ability and concentration. 11 Always follow medical guidance for safe and effective use.

Implications for Everyday Life

Dronabinol should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 It’s crucial to avoid self-treating or using dronabinol without a doctor’s prescription. Its potential effects on driving ability and concentration necessitate caution when engaging in driving or other activities requiring focus. 11

Current Research Limitations

While research on dronabinol’s effects is ongoing, it remains incomplete. 4 , 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 Further research is essential to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its effects.

Future Research Directions

Large-scale clinical trials focusing on specific conditions are needed to further investigate dronabinol’s efficacy. 4 , 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 Additional research is also crucial to better understand dronabinol’s long-term effects and safety profile.

Conclusion

Research suggests that dronabinol holds promise as a potential treatment for various conditions, but its efficacy can vary among individuals. 4 , 11 , , 13 , , 7 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 12 Dronabinol’s psychoactive effects necessitate caution regarding driving and other activities requiring concentration. 11 Always consult a doctor before using dronabinol and follow their instructions for safe and effective use.

Literature analysis of 13 papers
Positive Content
11
Neutral Content
0
Negative Content
2
Article Type
10
0
0
0
13
1.

The subjective psychoactive effects of oral dronabinol studied in a randomized, controlled crossover clinical trial for pain.

Author: IssaMohammed A, NarangSanjeet, JamisonRobert N, MichnaEdward, EdwardsRobert R, PenetarDavid M, WasanAjay D

Pain management
Psychoactive effects

This study investigates the subjective psychoactive effects of dronabinol, a cannabinoid medication, when used for pain management. The researchers hypothesized that dronabinol has psychoactive effects in a dose-response relationship and that its peak effects are comparable to smoking marijuana.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

2.

A 4-week pilot study with the cannabinoid receptor agonist dronabinol and its effect on metabolic parameters in a randomized trial.

Author: ReichenbachZachary Wilmer, SloanJoshua, Rizvi-TonerAmna, BaymanLevent, ValestinJessica, ScheyRon

Appetite stimulant
Chest pain treatment
Nausea relief
Metabolic effect unknown

Dronabinol, a synthetic Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been used to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, stimulate appetite in AIDS patients, and treat noncardiac chest pain. This study explores its long-term effects on metabolic parameters.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

3.

Within-subject, double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled evaluation of the combined effects of the cannabinoid dronabinol and the opioid hydromorphone in a human laboratory pain model.

Author: DunnKelly E, BergeriaCecilia L, HuhnAndrew S, SpeedTraci J, MunChung Jung, VandreyRyan, CampbellClaudia M

Enhance analgesia
Abuse potential
Dysphoric effects

This study investigated the analgesic, abuse liability, and cognitive effects of combining hydromorphone with oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; dronabinol) in healthy individuals. Only the combination of hydromorphone and low-dose dronabinol (2.5 mg) modestly enhanced analgesia, while higher doses (5 and 10 mg) increased the risk of abuse and adverse events. These findings suggest potential benefits of low-dose THC for opioid-sparing strategies but emphasize the need for caution with higher doses.

Clinical Trial, Phase IIA Phase II trial is a trial that further evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new drug or treatment, whose safety has been confirmed to some extent in a Phase I trial, in a small number of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

4.

Pharmacotherapy of Apnea by Cannabimimetic Enhancement, the PACE Clinical Trial: Effects of Dronabinol in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Author: CarleyDavid W, PrasadBharati, ReidKathryn J, MalkaniRoneil, AttarianHryar, AbbottSabra M, VernBoris, XieHui, YuanChengbo, ZeePhyllis C

Reduce OSA

A Phase II trial called PACE evaluated dronabinol for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dronabinol is a potential drug treatment for OSA, but currently, there are no approved medications. The study was a blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial involving individuals with moderate or severe OSA.

Clinical Trial, Phase IIA Phase II trial is a trial that further evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new drug or treatment, whose safety has been confirmed to some extent in a Phase I trial, in a small number of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

5.

The effects of dronabinol during detoxification and the initiation of treatment with extended release naltrexone.

Author: BisagaAdam, SullivanMaria A, GlassAndrew, MishlenKaitlyn, PavlicovaMartina, HaneyMargaret, RabyWilfrid N, LevinFrances R, CarpenterKenneth M, MarianiJohn J, NunesEdward V

Opioid withdrawal reduction

Dronabinol, a cannabinoid receptor type 1 partial agonist, reduced the severity of opioid withdrawal during acute detoxification but had no effect on rates of XR-naltrexone treatment induction and retention. Participants who elected to smoke marijuana during the trial were more likely to complete treatment regardless of treatment group assignment.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

6.

The subjective psychoactive effects of oral dronabinol studied in a randomized, controlled crossover clinical trial for pain.

Author: IssaMohammed A, NarangSanjeet, JamisonRobert N, MichnaEdward, EdwardsRobert R, PenetarDavid M, WasanAjay D

Pain management
Psychoactive effects

This study investigates the subjective psychoactive effects of dronabinol, a cannabinoid medication, when used for pain management. The researchers hypothesized that dronabinol has psychoactive effects in a dose-response relationship and that its peak effects are comparable to smoking marijuana.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

7.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of dronabinol and smoked marijuana in daily marijuana smokers.

Author: CooperZiva D, ComerSandra D, HaneyMargaret

Pain treatment
Abuse-related subjective effects

Marijuana and dronabinol (synthetic THC) are both used to treat pain, but no study has directly compared their effectiveness. This study compared the analgesic effects of smoked marijuana and oral dronabinol in healthy marijuana smokers, finding that dronabinol produced longer-lasting pain relief.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

8.

The dose effects of short-term dronabinol (oral THC) maintenance in daily cannabis users.

Author: VandreyRyan, StitzerMaxine L, MintzerMiriam Z, HuestisMarilyn A, MurrayJeannie A, LeeDayong

Cannabis withdrawal treatment

This study explores the potential of dronabinol (oral THC) as a treatment for cannabis use disorder. It examines the effects of dronabinol on cannabis withdrawal, cognitive performance, and the acute effects of smoked cannabis.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

9.

Effects of dronabinol on morphine-induced dopamine-related behavioral effects in animals.

Author: MoriTomohisa, ShibasakiMasahiro, AbeMinako, UdagawaYuya, SuzukiTsutomu

Suppression of morphine effects

Dronabinol, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, suppressed the rewarding and emetic effects of morphine in animal models. Its ability to regulate the dopaminergic system suggests its potential use as an adjuvant to reduce the adverse effects of opioid analgesics.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

10.

Randomized pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenetic trial of dronabinol effects on colon transit in irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea.

Author: WongB S, CamilleriM, EckertD, CarlsonP, RyksM, BurtonD, ZinsmeisterA R

IBS-D transit reduction

Genetic variation in endocannabinoid metabolism is associated with colonic transit in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea (IBS-D). This study investigated the effects of dronabinol (DRO) on gut transit in IBS-D and the influence of genetic variations in cannabinoid receptor mechanisms on DRO’s effects.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

11.

[Effects of oral cannabis and dronabinol on driving capacity].

Author: GiroudC, AugsburgerM, FavratB, MenetreyA, PinM-A, RothuizenL-E, AppenzellerM, BuclinT, MathieuS, CastellaV, HazekampA, ManginP

Impaired driving

A study of eight occasional cannabis smokers found that oral administration of THC (in the form of dronabinol or cannabis milk decoction) resulted in significantly impaired performance on driving simulator tests, especially at the highest dose. Two subjects experienced anxiety symptoms. The study suggests that cannabis use may impair driving ability, even at low doses, and that individuals may be more willing to drive when they perceive the task as important.

English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : French

12.

Dronabinol and marijuana in HIV(+) marijuana smokers: acute effects on caloric intake and mood.

Author: HaneyMargaret, RabkinJudith, GundersonErik, FoltinRichard W

Food intake increase
Tolerability
Dronabinol side effects

Dronabinol and marijuana were well-tolerated and increased caloric intake in HIV(+) marijuana smokers with clinically significant muscle mass loss.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Research funding provided by the Public Health Service (PHS).

Language : English

13.

Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Author: VolicerL, StellyM, MorrisJ, McLaughlinJ, VolicerB J

Increased weight
Reduced disturbed behavior
Infections
Seizures

Dronabinol may be beneficial for treating anorexia and improving disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It showed promise in improving body weight and behavior with manageable side effects.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Controlled Clinical TrialA clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment by comparing a group that receives the intervention with a group that receives a placebo or standard treatment.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Research funding provided by US government agencies other than the Public Health Service.

Language : English

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