dronabinol
Dronabinol capsules, also known by the brand name Marinol, help treat nausea and vomiting from certain cancer medications (chemotherapy). It's also approved as an appetite stimulant for adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is taken by mouth. The dosage depends on why you're taking it. Some side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, and stomach pain. Dronabinol (Marinol) is a type of cannabinoid. It has a potential risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction, so it's considered a controlled substance.
What is Dronabinol (Marinol)?
What is Dronabinol (Marinol) used for?
Low appetite and weight loss in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults who've already tried other options
How Dronabinol (Marinol) works
Dronabinol (Marinol) is a cannabinoid. It's a synthetic (lab-made) form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is an ingredient found in marijuana.
Dronabinol (Marinol) works in the brain. It attaches to cannabinoid receptors in areas of the brain that help control nausea and vomiting and improve appetite.
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What are the risks and warnings for Dronabinol (Marinol)?
Dronabinol (Marinol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening mental health problems
Risk factors: History of mental health conditions | Taking medications that can raise the risk of depression, mania, or schizophrenia
Before starting dronabinol (Marinol), tell your prescriber if you have any mental health problems. This can include depression, mania, or schizophrenia. Dronabinol (Marinol) might make these problems worse.
If you have these kinds of mental health problems, it's best to avoid dronabinol (Marinol). But if there are no other choices, be sure to watch for any new or worsening mental health problems while you're taking this medication. If this happens, tell your prescriber right away.
Dizziness, sleepiness, and trouble thinking
Risk factors: Older adults | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness, dizziness, or confusion | Drinking alcohol
Dronabinol (Marinol) can make you dizzy, sleepy, or confused. It can also make it harder to think, pay attention, and react. Don't drive, use heavy machines, or do anything where you have to focus until you know how this medication affects you.
If these side effects start bothering you or disrupt your daily life, talk to your prescriber. They can adjust your dose or decide to stop dronabinol (Marinol).
Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Risk factors: History of heart problems | Taking other medications that have similar effects on the heart and blood pressure
People might have changes in blood pressure while taking dronabinol (Marinol). Sometimes, blood pressure can go up. And other times, it can go down. Some people might also have a faster heart rate or faint. Your prescriber will check for blood pressure and heart rate changes after you start the medication and after any dose increases.
Tell your prescriber if you have any heart problems because you might be at higher risk. Also let them know about all the medications you take. Your risk is higher if you take other medications that affect your heart rate or blood pressure. Examples include stimulants and tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline. Your prescriber can make sure dronabinol (Marinol) is safe for you to take.
Reach out your prescriber if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, tired, chest pain, or short of breath while taking dronabinol (Marinol). Also let them know if you feel your heart racing. If you faint and hit your head, get medical help right away.
Seizures
Risk factors: History of seizures | Have other conditions that can make seizures more likely
Some people taking dronabinol (Marinol) have had seizures. If you've had a seizure before, discuss with your prescriber to see if this medication is right for you. If you have a seizure, stop taking dronabinol (Marinol) and get medical help right away.
Risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction
Risk factors: History of substance use disorder or dependence (includes marijuana and alcohol)
Dronabinol (Marinol) has a risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction. Misuse is when someone uses a medication for non-medical reasons, like to feel "high" or very happy. Dependence can happen when you take a medication for a long time and your body starts to rely on it to feel normal.
Before you start dronabinol (Marinol), your prescriber will check to see if you have a risk of misuse. People with a history of substance use disorder or dependence, including with marijuana or alcohol, might be more likely to misuse this medication. Your prescriber will follow up with you often about these behaviors. If you're worried about these risks, talk to your prescriber.
Worsening nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
Some people had nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain while taking dronabinol (Marinol). It can sometimes be severe, leading to dehydration and electrolyte changes.
Let your prescriber know if it seems like dronabinol (Marinol) is making you feel more nauseous. Also tell them if any vomiting or stomach pain gets worse. Your prescriber might need to lower your dose or have you stop the medication.
What are the side effects of Dronabinol (Marinol)?
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness (up to 10%)
- Sleepiness (up to 10%)
- Euphoria (e.g., feeling "high," easy laughing, happiness; up to 10%)
- Paranoia (intense anxiety or fearful thoughts; up to 10%)
- Abnormal thinking (up to 10%)
- Stomach pain (up to 10%)
- Nausea (up to 10%)
- Vomiting (up to 10%)
Other Side Effects
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Coordination problems
- Slurred speech
- Hallucination (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
- Problems remembering
- Fast heartbeat
- Flushing
Serious Side Effects
- Worsening mental health: depression, manic episode, schizophrenia
- Changes in blood pressure
- Seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Changes in mood
confusion
delusions
fast or pounding heartbeat
feelings of unreality
loss of memory
mental depression
nervousness or anxiety
problems with memory
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
Rare
Blurred vision
chills
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Fainting
feeling of warmth
hives or rash
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
seizures
sores in the mouth
swelling of the lips
tightness in the throat
trouble sleeping
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Being forgetful
change in how fast you think time is passing
change in your sense of smell, taste, sight, sound, or touch
decrease in motor coordination
drowsiness (severe)
dryness of the mouth (severe)
false sense of well-being
feeling sluggish
panic reaction
problems in urinating
redness of the eyes
seizures
slurred speech
unusual drowsiness or dullness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
dizziness
drowsiness
false sense of well-being
trouble with thinking
vomiting
Less common or rare
Abdominal or stomach pain
flushing of the face
lack or loss of strength
restlessness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Dronabinol (Marinol)
Pros
Taken by mouth
Dosage can be adjusted by your prescriber, if needed
Works well to improve appetite in adults who have AIDS
Can help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy when other options don't work well
Cons
Has a risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction
Is a controlled substance, so there's special rules to follow to get it filled at the pharmacy
Can make it hard to think clearly
Must keep capsules in the refrigerator
Pharmacist tips for Dronabinol (Marinol)
Take dronabinol (Marinol) exactly as your prescriber told you to. They can help make sure you're taking the medication in the safest way possible. Don't change your dose without talking to your prescriber first.
Swallow dronabinol (Marinol) capsules whole. Never open, chew, or crush them. If you have trouble swallowing capsules whole, ask your prescriber if Syndros (dronabinol) liquid would be a better option for you.
Dronabinol (Marinol) can make you feel sleepy, dizzy, and confused. It might also make you have trouble thinking. Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until you know how this medication affects you.
Dronabinol (Marinol) can sometimes cause low blood pressure when you get up too quickly. This can make you dizzy or make you faint. Be sure to slowly stand up so your body can adjust to changes in blood pressure. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.
If side effects from dronabinol (Marinol) bother you or make it hard to go about your day, talk to your prescriber. They can give you recommendations about how to manage these side effects. They can also decide if adjusting your dose might help.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking dronabinol (Marinol). Alcohol can make sleepiness and dizziness more intense. It might also worsen nausea and vomiting. Talk to your prescriber about your drinking habits. If you need help to stop drinking, ask your care team for guidance.
It's best to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking dronabinol (Marinol). Grapefruit can raise your risk of side effects from the medication.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Dronabinol (Marinol) can interact with many medications. This can make side effects worse. It includes medications that can make you sleepy, like antihistamines and opioids. It also includes medications that can lower blood pressure or raise your heart rate. Your care team can check that your medications are safe to take together.
Don't suddenly lower your dose or stop taking dronabinol (Marinol) until you speak to your prescriber. They can help you do this in a safe way. This helps lowers the risk of withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, restlessness, and upset stomach.
Store dronabinol (Marinol) capsules in the refrigerator, but make sure they don't freeze. Keep the medication in the container your pharmacy gave you. Don't store it at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions about Dronabinol (Marinol)
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Dronabinol (Marinol) dosage forms
Interactions between Dronabinol (Marinol) and other drugs
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
How much does Dronabinol (Marinol) cost?
Dronabinol (Marinol) contraindications
Allergy to sesame oil
What are alternatives to Dronabinol (Marinol)?
Low appetite and weight loss in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults who've already tried other options
Low appetite, cachexia (wasting), or unexplained significant weight loss in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
What is the latest news about Dronabinol (Marinol)?
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References
Best studies we foundHIV.gov. (2023). What are HIV and AIDS?
Kulig, K. (2016). Interpretation of workplace tests for cannabinoids. Journal of Medical Toxicology.
May, M. B., et al. (2016). Dronabinol for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting unresponsive to antiemetics. Cancer Management and Research.
MedlinePlus. (2025). Pain medications - narcotics.
MedlinePlus. (2025). Prescription drug misuse.
Ng, T., et al. (2023). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). StatPearls.
O’Donnell, B., et al. (2023). Dronabinol. StatPearls.
ThePharmaNetwork, LLC. (2023). Marinol- dronabinol capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Grapefruit juice and some drugs don't mix.
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