Before we get to the medication I need to remind you...
For this installment, I have chosen Cesamet
GENERIC NAME(S): NABILONE
Uses
This medication is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). Nabilone is a man-made drug similar to the natural substances found in marijuana. It is works by decreasing the signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting.
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Cesamet
GENERIC NAME(S): NABILONE
Uses
This medication is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). Nabilone is a man-made drug similar to the natural substances found in marijuana. It is works by decreasing the signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting.
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
Cesamet
GENERIC NAME(S): NABILONE
Uses
This medication is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). Nabilone is a man-made drug similar to the natural substances found in marijuana. It is works by decreasing the signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting.
How to use Cesamet
See also Side Effects section.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking nabilone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times a day. The first dose may be taken the night before chemotherapy treatment. On the day you start chemotherapy, take nabilone 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy begins. Continue to take this medication as directed by your doctor throughout your chemotherapy treatment cycle. Your doctor may also direct you to continue taking this medication until 24 to 48 hours after your treatment cycle ends. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly throughout your treatment cycle to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. This medication should not be taken on an "as needed" basis.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, trouble sleeping, sweating, and diarrhea). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used nabilone for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Side Effects
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, unusual weakness, vision changes, mental/mood changes (such as depression, anxiety, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis).
Because nabilone can cause mental, mood, or behavior changes, a responsible caretaker should closely supervise you while you are taking this medication. If you have any such effects, remain calm and tell your doctor right away. Do not take any more nabilone until after you consult with your doctor.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast heartbeat, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
CESAMET Side Effects List by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with Cesamet:
Common side effects of Cesamet:
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Severe
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Severe
Confused Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
False Sense of Well-Being Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Unsteady Walking Less Severe
Voluntary Movement Difficulty Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of Cesamet:
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Rare side effects of Cesamet:
Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing Less Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Increased Hunger Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Muscle Pain Less Severe
Muscle Weakness Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking nabilone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to marijuana or related products; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental/mood conditions (such as mania, depression, schizophrenia), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially mental/mood changes.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, lightheadedness, and mental/mood changes.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, hallucinations, anxiety, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised December 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.
GENERIC NAME(S): NABILONE
Uses
This medication is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). Nabilone is a man-made drug similar to the natural substances found in marijuana. It is works by decreasing the signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting.
How to use Cesamet
See also Side Effects section.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking nabilone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times a day. The first dose may be taken the night before chemotherapy treatment. On the day you start chemotherapy, take nabilone 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy begins. Continue to take this medication as directed by your doctor throughout your chemotherapy treatment cycle. Your doctor may also direct you to continue taking this medication until 24 to 48 hours after your treatment cycle ends. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly throughout your treatment cycle to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. This medication should not be taken on an "as needed" basis.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, trouble sleeping, sweating, and diarrhea). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used nabilone for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Side Effects
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, unusual weakness, vision changes, mental/mood changes (such as depression, anxiety, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis).
Because nabilone can cause mental, mood, or behavior changes, a responsible caretaker should closely supervise you while you are taking this medication. If you have any such effects, remain calm and tell your doctor right away. Do not take any more nabilone until after you consult with your doctor.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast heartbeat, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
CESAMET Side Effects List by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with Cesamet:
Common side effects of Cesamet:
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Severe
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Severe
Confused Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
False Sense of Well-Being Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Unsteady Walking Less Severe
Voluntary Movement Difficulty Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of Cesamet:
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Rare side effects of Cesamet:
Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing Less Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Increased Hunger Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Muscle Pain Less Severe
Muscle Weakness Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking nabilone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to marijuana or related products; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental/mood conditions (such as mania, depression, schizophrenia), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially mental/mood changes.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, lightheadedness, and mental/mood changes.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, hallucinations, anxiety, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised December 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.
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