Chemotherapy Induced Nausea

In 1986 synthetic THC, dronabinol (product name - Marinol) became available for treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. With the advent of new therapies to treat chemotherapy induced nausea, Marinol is infrequently prescribed. The American Cancer Society states that, "At the present time, the society does not believe that the results of clinical investigation are sufficient to warrant legislation decontrolling marijuana or its active ingredient for medical use."

"THC and smoked marijuana are considerably less effective than currently available therapies to treat acute nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy." American Medical Association, Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs, 10-I-97, Conclusions

Aside from the conclusions section, this report addresses the use of marijuana and dronabinol in the treatment of nausea on pages 10, 11, and 12. (Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs)

"Since the approval of dronabinol in the mid 1980s for the relief of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, more effective antiemetics have been developed, such as ondansetron, granisetron, and dolasetron, each combined with dexamethasone. The relative efficacy of cannabinoids versus these newer antiemetics has not been evaluated."   National Institutes of Health Report, page 3-4

A two-day scientific meeting "Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana" was held on February 19-20, 1997 to "review the scientific data concerning the potential therapeutic uses for marijuana and the need for and feasibility of additional research." The report from this workshop addresses the use of dronabinol and marijuana as an antiemetic (nausea control) on pages 3, 4, 20, 21. (National Institute of Health (NIH) Summary:)

"Many people found that marijuana quells the violent vomiting, tremors and loss of appetite associated with serious diseases like cancer and AIDS. Patients with multiple sclerosis and other conditions claim to have benefited from it as well. (Medical marijuana users easy target, Bellingham Herald, August 31, 2001)

"Scientists have found out which part of marijuana eases nausea, and discovering this component may make chemotherapy a lot more bearable for cancer patients, a new study shows." ( Easing Nausea for Cancer Patients, Health Central, February 7, 2001)