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Marinol (dronabinol) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) who have loss of appetite, also called anorexia, and weight loss.
Marinol is a type of medicine called a cannabinoid. Its active ingredient is dronabinol. Cannabinoid receptors are found in nerve tissues and may play a role in how dronabinol works.
Marinol can stimulate appetite.
Doctors prescribe Marinol when adults with AIDS have loss of appetite, also called anorexia, along with weight loss.
Marinol comes as a capsule taken by mouth.
The recommended starting dose is 2.5 milligrams by mouth twice a day, one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner.
Older adults or people who cannot tolerate this dose may start with 2.5 milligrams once a day, one hour before dinner or at bedtime. This may help lower the chance of nervous system side effects.
If the medicine is tolerated and more treatment effect is needed, a doctor may slowly increase the dose to 2.5 milligrams before lunch and 5 milligrams before dinner. The dose may later be increased to 5 milligrams before lunch and 5 milligrams before dinner, if tolerated.
Most people respond to 2.5 milligrams twice a day. The maximum dose is 10 milligrams twice a day.
If nervous system side effects, such as feeling high, dizziness, confusion, or somnolence (sleepiness), are severe or do not go away, a doctor may lower the dose to 2.5 milligrams in the evening or at bedtime.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Marinol used in adults for anorexia (loss of appetite) associated with weight loss in people with AIDS, the most common side effects included:
Marinol can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Before taking Marinol, tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to dronabinol or sesame oil.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take or have taken in the last 14 days, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Also tell your doctor if you:
Do not take Marinol if you have had an allergic reaction to dronabinol or sesame oil.
Marinol is also FDA-approved in adults to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy when usual anti-nausea medicines have not worked well enough.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor. Marinol may harm a fetus and should be avoided during pregnancy.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. It is not known if Marinol passes into breast milk. If you have HIV, you should not breastfeed because HIV can pass to your baby through breast milk.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Marinol for AIDS-related loss of appetite?
In a study of 139 adults with AIDS-related loss of appetite and weight loss, Marinol improved appetite more than placebo (an inactive treatment) at weeks 4 and 6. The starting dose was 2.5 milligrams twice daily, taken one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner.
The study also showed trends toward improved body weight and mood, along with less nausea. In a follow-up study, the improvement in appetite continued.
How long does Marinol take to work?
After Marinol is taken by mouth, it usually starts to have effects in between 30 minutes and one hour. Its peak effects happen about two to four hours after a dose.
Its psychoactive effects, which can affect mood, thinking, or perception, usually last four to six hours. Its appetite-stimulating effect may continue for 24 hours or longer.
Can Marinol interact with other medicines?
Yes. Marinol can interact with other medicines and with alcohol.
For example, medicines that can cause sleepiness, dizziness, or confusion may make these effects worse when taken with Marinol. These include some anxiety medicines, sleep medicines, opioid pain medicines, antihistamines, and alcohol.
Some medicines can also change the amount of Marinol in your body. Examples include certain antifungal medicines, such as fluconazole and ketoconazole, and certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin.
Marinol may also affect medicines that are strongly bound to proteins in the blood, such as warfarin.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take or have taken in the last 14 days. This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Marinol?
No routine lab testing is specifically listed. Your doctor may watch for changes in blood pressure, heart rate, fainting, and new or worsening mental health symptoms. This is especially important when you first start Marinol or when your dose is increased.
Some medicines can change the amount of Marinol in your body. Your doctor may watch for more side effects or signs that Marinol is not working as well.
If you take certain medicines that are strongly bound to proteins in the blood, such as warfarin, cyclosporine, or amphotericin B, your doctor may also monitor you for increased side effects.
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