Dronabinol
From Drug Rehab Wiki
The generic version of the brand name drug Marinol, dronabinol is a man-made form of cannabis. To give you a better idea of cannabis, marijuana is an herbal form of the drug. Dronabinol is used to treat loss of appetite in people with AIDS. It is also prescribed for those who experience severe nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
This light yellow resinous oil is sticky at room temperature and then hardens when it is refrigerated. Dronabinol is insoluable in water and is formulated in sesame oil. This drug is in a class of medications that are called cannabinoids and they work by affecting the areas of the brain that controls nausea, vomiting and appetite.
Contents |
Abuses of Dronabinol
Natural cannabis tends to be one of the most common drugs in the UK and smoking the weed is becoming more and more common among citizens in all demographic sectors. It is not commonly considered an addictive drug, although it is estimated that 10 percent of all users are in fact addicted.
Dronabinol presents different challenges as it is easily abused and is a controlled substance, a Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Individuals receiving the drug for treatment have reported both psychological and physiological dependence. Addiction is still considered to be uncommon and can really only arise after prolonged high dose administration.
Effects of Dronabinol
As an orally active cannabinoid, dronabinol – like other cannabinoids – has complex effects on the central nervous system, including sympathomimetic activity. Cannabinoid receptors have been discovered in neural tissues and these receptors could play a role in mediating the effects of dronabinol and other cannabinoids. Those who have an addiction to dronabinol tend to feel isolated and withdrawn from social contact.
Signs of an allergic reaction to dronabinol can include hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. More serious side effects can include seizure (convulsions); paranoia, extreme fear; fast heart rate; feeling light-headed, fainting; or unusual thoughts or behavior.
Withdrawal of Dronabinol
Abstinence syndrome has been reported with the abrupt discontinuation of dronabinol. Withdrawal symptoms can occur within 12 hours of discontinuation of the drug. While the symptoms can be unpleasant, they do tend to dissipate within 48 hours of appearing.
Symptoms patients could be dealing with in association of the withdrawal from dronabinol include, but are not limited to:
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Hot flashes
• Sweating
• Rhinorrhea
• Loose stools
• Hiccoughs
• Anorexia
Treatment of Dronabinol Addiction
While a dronabinol addiction is considered to be rare, there are still instances where an individual will develop a tolerance, then a dependence and finally an addiction due to long-term use or higher than prescribed doses. As it is possible for the drug to be obtained through illicit means – or even if the addiction develops under a physician’s care – it is important for users at any level to remove the drug from their system slowly and within a treatment environment.
Entering a detox center for 24/7 treatment is highly recommended for dronabinol addicts and abusers. A quality center will offer a comfortable detox using withdrawal medications as highly effective for those suffering a dronabinol addiction. A quality treatment center will do a full physical on a patient and have a board-certified addiction psychiatrist determine the right medications for comfortable detox.
