Generic Name: Marinol (dronabinol)
Marinol Reviews
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "My father, who has cancer, was wilting away from the pain meds and associated nausea and vomiting. No water either. Mentally, he was in a real bad place. CBD/THC 4:1 oil and Marinol have completely turned him around. He is now only on one prescribed medication versus before three, all of which caused drowsiness. Gaining weight and cracking jokes. Ridiculous how a substance that doesn't cause death by overdose, gives you an appetite, and makes you happy is not available over the counter. Especially when alcohol, which is much worse, is not only legal but glorified. Legalize it. Don't criticize it."
For Anorexia "My father was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that had spread to his spinal fluid and put pressure on his brain. He was nauseous and unable to eat (and sometimes drink) for weeks before the final diagnosis. Once they figured it out and started heavy steroids, he wasn’t particularly nauseous but he wouldn’t eat. Since there is no effective treatment for the cancer, we were looking for quality of life. Marinol got rid of the last of his queasiness and stimulated his appetite, allowing him to start eating again. Although we’ll lose him soon, at least he has more energy to sit with his friends and occasionally play the piano. It has made a big, positive difference."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "My boyfriend has cancer and was receiving two kinds of chemotherapy. Along with blood clots and a drain in his leg, he was in a lot of pain. When receiving chemo, we would stay in the hospital for three days, and even with the Neulasta shot and all the IV anti-nausea meds, he still was sick. Finally, he was prescribed Marinol, and it changed everything. The day we came home from the hospital after taking it, he was well enough to go Frisbee golfing even with a drain in his leg! He never vomited again, and he actually got kinda chubby! The drug changed his attitude, and I believe it gave him the strength he needed to fight his sarcoma. He's now in remission!"
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "After debilitating nausea and vomiting from radiation and chemotherapy, and after trying all the normal drugs like Zofran and some others, I tried Marinol. It was by far the most effective for treating nausea and vomiting of any pharmaceutical. It gives a nice, pleasant buzz as well. The problem for me was the overstimulation of my appetite. I've never felt hunger like this in my entire life. Anyway, people who need this drug could probably use the extra appetite anyway."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Ask your doctor to prescribe Marinol (dronabinol) to cure you of your MAJOR nausea problem. If you are taking large doses of medicines for cancer or HIV/AIDS, then you probably get nauseous a lot! We all know that it's hard to get anything done when you are nauseated all day. This medicine is a game-changer and a lifesaver. I would go as far as to say that this is a miracle. I'm still in shock how well it is helping my nausea since nothing I ever took before helped as much as this medicine!"
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I am surprised this isn't oncologists' 'go-to' drug. After my first A/C infusion for breast cancer, I had severe nausea and vomiting immediately. The doctor prescribed 25 mg of promethazine orally and rectally (in case I couldn't hold down the pill). All it did was make me sleep for hours, induce a migraine status headache, and cause severe stomach pain/cramping, and I would still wake up vomiting. Then my doctor prescribed Dronabinol 5 mg. It was a miracle drug. The stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting completely stopped. It made me slightly tired in the beginning, but the feeling was more relaxed than tired, therefore I could continue to function normally. It also stimulated my appetite, which is very important for chemotherapy patients."
For Anorexia "I have common variable immunodeficiency, which causes anorexia. I found Marinol 5 mg taken a couple of hours before meals makes a huge difference. If I do not want to eat, ulcers, etc., I found it easier with Marinol and have actually gained around 10 lbs in the initial month or two. I would recommend it for any patient with weight loss issues!"
For Anorexia "I suffer from appetite suppression as a result of medication which I take for narcolepsy (Amphetamine-based). Although the medicine works wonderfully, the only negative side effect that bothers me is appetite suppression. Hence, my introduction to Marinol! I would like to clarify a common myth that Marinol is a form of prescription 'medical marijuana'. My doctor explained it is a synthetic cannabinoid, a distant chemical cousin of marijuana that lacks recreational effects at therapeutic doses. It works by activating the endocannabinoid system of the brain, which regulates appetite. When I first tried it, it started working by the end of the next day!"
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "My doctor prescribed Marinol after I had adverse reactions to most antiemetics given to me during chemotherapy. Converting from IV to oral cytotoxins, nausea made my quality of life poor. Marinol made such a positive change for me. Taking between 2.5 and 5 mg, there is only about 20 minutes of silliness, which my family welcomes, then relief from vomiting for 6 to 8 hours. It has been a lifesaver for me and for my family."
For Anorexia "Amazing! My stress after my tonsillectomy led me to relapse into anorexia. This medication saved my life, allowing me to enjoy flavors of food and gain 10 needed pounds. Amazing life changer, and my depression is less chronic."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I have never personally taken this medication. However, my mother recently was prescribed Marinol after other medications provided no relief from chemo-induced nausea. Her first dose took about 3 hours to kick in (which is a long time when you're nauseated), but after that, she's been a brand new person. I'm guessing it takes those first few hours to get fully in your system. She takes it twice a day and has had little to no nausea."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Marinol medication was given to me for extreme nausea due to gastroparesis. It has been a godsend. It loses some efficacy if you overuse it but is very effective for nausea relief when others haven’t helped. I highly recommend this medication."
For Anorexia "I am a disabled veteran with a spinal injury. The opioid med was all I knew for my back. I have since been amazed at the pain relieving ability of this medicine. It helps me eat and allows for a more positive day."
For Anorexia "I lost my appetite when I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. I take 5 mg twice a day. My stomach has to be completely empty in order to feel the effects of the pill. Even with a bowl of ice cream or a milkshake in my system, I will not get anything from the pill. You have to time it right because the effects kick in an hour (or later) after taking it. It's hit or miss, but when it hits, it allows me to eat for 3 hours straight."
For Anorexia "I have severe gastroparesis at a very young age as a male. I have exhausted every single option other than surgery, and nothing seemed to be working. My doctor recommended Marinol. At the time, I did not know what the drug consisted of. He told me, and I accepted it over the experimental surgeries they wanted to perform as the only other option. I began taking the medication for increasing my appetite, nausea, vomiting, and the pains associated with gastroparesis. It has worked wonders for me, and it doesn't have the same severe side effects as Phenergan, Reglan, Domperidone, etc."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I used Marinol for nausea during cancer therapy. I have to take some narcotics for excessive pain, and Marinol still keeps the nausea down that the narcotics create. It makes my life quite a bit easier."
"I've had chronic pancreatitis for about 7 years. I've struggled with nausea and vomiting for so long. Reglan, scopolamine, Phenergan, Zofran-I've been on all of them. Yes, they worked at first, but Marinol is best for me. For the first time in years, I'm not sick! I don't have an appetite like some do, it does make me giddy for an hour or two, but I'm finally not sick at my stomach!"
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I have the 2.5 version. It works well about 90% of the time, while Zofran, works about 50% of the time for me. However, I don't like taking even one because of the hangover the next day. Further, it enhances the chronic pain, making the pain worse, sometimes. Never know when that will happen. "
For Anorexia "My grandmother was given this in the hospital for anorexia and nausea. She began having tremors after the first dose. It was discontinued, and we are on the second full day post discontinuation, and she is still shaking, severe hallucinations, and mental status changes. "
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I had transplant surgery a few months ago. I am on immunosuppressive drugs and I am limited to what I can take. My doctor suggested it and I said "Yes, please!" I take 5mg about an hour or two before bed. It takes over an hour to kick in but when it does, it works very well. Helps with body pain and definitely settles my stomach. Sometimes I don't feel it as much, someone said it might have to do with taking it on a full belly. I agree with her. Works for about 4-6 hrs for me. Helps you get to sleep, too! I've had no side effects but you will most likely feel "high" so be very careful."
For AIDS Related Wasting "Hate this medication. I've been on it so far for 4 days, and it makes me feel stoned/drunk, and takes away my ability to focus and concentrate. I can't wait to get off of it. Everyone reacts differently to medication, and I hope, other people don't have to go through the same side effects as I am currently battling."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I have severe gastroparesis, which causes constant nausea and vomiting. I have tried ondansetron, granisetron, scopolamine patches, and phenergan to no avail. Dronabinol 5mg has been a miracle drug for my nausea. It takes about 2-3 hours to fully kick in, but my nausea starts going away in 30-45 minutes. While I don’t mind feeling super relaxed and euphoric, I really wish that this didn’t give me those effects, because that means when I have to drive, I can’t take it until I’m back home for the rest of the day, so I just have to deal with the nausea until I’m back home for the day. For that reason, I’m rating it 9/10."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "This drug is not listed for the cancer symptom of not eating and should be. It saved my family member's life."
For AIDS Related Wasting "Marinol is a lifesaver. Nausea is one of the worst feelings a person can experience. Marinol eases the nausea quickly and even helps create an appetite."
For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Recently diagnosed advanced lung adenocarcinoma. After surgery, began chemotherapy. This med helps allay anxiety, nausea, stimulates appetite, and helps me sleep. My mood is improved."
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