A review of nabilone in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Figures & data

Figure 1 The mechanism of action of cannabinoids. The innate cannabinoid system inhibits release of neurotransmitters via a multi-step retrograde signaling pathway. Nabilone mimics the action of endocannabinoids via direct activation of CB1 receptors (derived from Croxford 2003; Freund et al 2003; Navari 2003; Piomelli 2003; Diana and Mart 2004).

Abbreviations: THC, tetrahydrocannabinol.

Figure 2 a Nabilone reduces frequency of vomiting on chemotherapy days 1 through 5. Reproduced with permission from Einhorn LH, Nagy C, Furnas B, Williams SD. 1981. Nabilone: An effective antiemetic in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Pharmacol, 21(suppl):64–69. Copyright © 1981 SAGE Publications.

b Nabilone significantly reduces the severity of nausea throughout the chemotherapy cycle. Reproduced with permission from Einhorn LH, Nagy C, Furnas B, Williams SD. 1981. Nabilone: An effective antiemetic in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Pharmacol, 21(suppl):64–69. Copyright © 1981 SAGE Publications.

Grading of nausea: 1 = mild; 2 = moderate; 3 = severe.

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