NABILONE (Systemic)*
Some commonly used brand names are:
In Canada?
* Not commercially available in the U.S.
Category
Description
Nabilone (NA-bi-lone) is chemically related to marijuana. It is usedto prevent the nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with cancermedicines. It is used only when other kinds of medicine for nausea and vomitingdo not work.
Nabilone is available only with your doctor's prescription. Prescriptionscannot be refilled and you must obtain a new prescription from your doctoreach time you need this medicine. Nabilone is available in the following dosageform:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nabilone, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to nabilone or marijuana products. Also tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods,preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However,studies in animals have shown a decrease in successful pregnancies and a decreasein the number of live babies born, when nabilone was given in doses many timesthe usual human dose.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether nabilone passes into thebreast milk. However, nabilone is not recommended during breast-feeding becauseother medicines similar to nabilone that pass into the breast milk have beenshown to cause unwanted effects in the nursing baby.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of nabilone inchildren with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Fast or pounding heartbeat, feeling faint or lightheaded,and unusual tiredness or weakness may be especially likely to occur in elderlypatients, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effectsof nabilone. Also, the effects this medicine may have on the mind may be ofspecial concern in the elderly. Therefore, older people should be watchedclosely while taking this medicine.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingnabilone, it is especially important that your health care professional knowif you are taking any of the following:
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicine that causes drowsiness)or
- Tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression)?Takingthese medicines with nabilone may increase the CNS-depressant effects
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of nabilone. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
- Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)?Dependence on nabilonemay develop
- Emotional problems or
- Heart disease or
- Low blood pressure or
- Manic or depressive states or
- Mental illness (severe) or
- Schizophrenia?Nabilone may make the condition worse
- Liver disease (severe)?Higher blood levels of nabilone mayoccur, increasing the chance of side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take moreof it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time thanyour doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may lead to other medical problemsbecause of an overdose.
Dosing?The dose of nabilone will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of nabilone. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules):
- For nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines:
- Adults and teenagers?Usually 1 or 2 milligrams (mg) twice aday. Your doctor will tell you how and when to take this medicine while youare taking your cancer medicine.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink,or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to breakdown.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Nabilonewill add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS)depressants (medicines that make you feel drowsy or less alert). Some examplesof CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies,or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription painmedicines, including other narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures;muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above whileyou are taking this medicine.
If you think you or someone else may have taken anoverdose, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of this medicineor taking alcohol or CNS depressants with this medicine may cause severe mentaleffects. Symptoms of overdose include changes in mood; confusion; difficultyin breathing; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that arenot there); nervousness or anxiety (severe); and fast or pounding heartbeat.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded,or to feel a false sense of well-being. Make sure youknow how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or doanything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert andclearheaded.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when youget up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may helplessen this problem.
Nabilone may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarlesscandy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute.However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, checkwith your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increasethe chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungusinfections.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:
Changes in mood; confusion; convulsions (seizures); delusions; dizziness or fainting; fast or pounding heartbeat; hallucinations (seeing,hearing, or feeling things that are not there); mental depression; nervousness or anxiety; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to themedicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:
Other sideeffects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice anyother effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 01/29/1999
