Brand & Generic Names

Cesamet

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiemetic

Uses

• Treats nausea and vomiting.
• Prevents nausea and vomiting in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Chemically related to marijuana, it probably regulates the vomiting control center in the brain.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 hours.

Don't take with:
Alcohol or any drug that depresses the central nervous system. See Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants in the Glossary.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Mood changes; confusion and delusions; hallucinations; mental depression; nervousness; breathing difficulty; fast, slow or pounding heartbeat; fainting.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Mood changes; fainting; Seek emergency treatment. hallucinations; fast, slow or pounding heartbeat; confusion and delusions; mental depression; nervousness; breathing difficulty.

Common:

Dry mouth.

Infrequent:

Clumsiness, mental changes, drowsiness, headache, false sense of well-being.

Rare:

Blurred vision, dizziness on standing, appetite loss, muscle pain.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to nabilone or marijuana.
• You have schizophrenic, manic or depressive states.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have abused drugs or are dependent on them, including alcohol.
• If you have had high blood pressure or heart disease.
• If you have had impaired liver function.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children 18 and younger. Use only under doctor's supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Avoid prolonged use. This medicine is intended to be used only during a cycle of cancer chemotherapy.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, heart function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Others:

• Blood pressure should be measured regularly.
• Learn to count and recognize changes in your pulse.
• Get up from bed or chair slowly to avoid fainting.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Apomorphine	Decreases effect of apomorphine.
Central nervous	Greater depression
system depressants,	of the central nervous system.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous depression of the central
	nervous system. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased nabilone effect. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.