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What is Marinol Used For?

Marinol is the brand name of a prescription medication (the generic name is dronabinol) used to manage and treat the side effects of the cancer treatment of chemotherapy. These side effects include nausea and vomiting. Apart from these side effects, Marinol is used to manage appetite loss and weight loss in individuals with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

  1. Use

    • Marinol is intended to be taken orally. Doses of this medication depend on specific medical conditions, as well as chemotherapy response. For management of nausea and throwing up, dosage amounts are centered around factors like height and weight.

    Side Effects

    • This medication can cause some side effects. Common Marinol side effects are confusion, disorientation, a "high" feeling, feeling lightheaded, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, red eyes, stomachache, vomiting, feeling unsteady, and clumsiness. These side effects usually happen as the body gets used to the Marinol. If these effects intensify with time, or are particularly troublesome, you need to speak with your doctor about them.

      Some severe side effects include mood or mental changes (like loss of memory, unusual thoughts, problems with concentration, paranoia, nervousness, hallucinations, and depression), passing out, changes in vision, ringing within the ears, slurred speech, weakness, facial flushing, and pounding or rapid heartbeat. These side effects call for emergency medical attention.

    Caution

    • Before using Marinol, it is crucial to consult with your doctor about it. Your doctor must be made aware of your full medical history, especially regarding hypertension, heart disease, substance abuse or addiction, seizure disorder, and mood or mental issues (such as schizophrenia, mania, and depression).

    Overdose

    • Only use the recommended dosage amounts of Marinol. If you are worried that you might have exceeded your prescribed dosage, it is likely that you have overdosed and therefore, you must get immediate medical help. Some symptoms of Marinol overdose include panic, rapid heartbeat, extreme drowsiness, and convulsions.

    Withdrawal Effects

    • If Marinol is used for an extended period of time, or on a regular basis, it might cause some withdrawal effects upon ceasing use of it. Some symptoms of Marinol withdrawal include difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, restlessness, irritability, and diarrhea. To avoid these symptoms from happening, your physician might direct you to decrease your dosage amounts very gradually.

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