Effect of Dronabinol on Nutritional Status in HIV Infection

Jacob Bell

New Member
Author(s) Struwe M, Kaempfer SH, Geiger CJ, Pavia AT, Plasse TF, Shepard KV, Ries K, Evans TG.
Journal, Volume, Issue Ann Pharmacother. 1993 Jul-Aug;27(7-8):827-31.
Major outcome(s) Trends toward weight gain, improved appetite, decreased symptom stress
Indication Appetite loss/weight loss;HIV/AIDS
Medication Delta-9-THC
Route(s) Oral
Dose(s) 5 mg twice daily
Duration (days) 84
Participants 12 HIV patients.
Design Controlled study
Type of publication Medical journal
Address of author(s) Division of Foods and Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.


Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of dronabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) on appetite and nutritional status in patients with symptomatic HIV infection and weight loss. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with two five-week treatment periods separated by a two-week washout period. Patients received dronabinol 5 mg twice daily before meals or placebo. SETTING: A university-based HIV/AIDS clinic and a large infectious disease private practice largely devoted to care of patients with HIV. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve HIV-infected patients who had had at least a 2.25-kg weight loss participated in the study. Five patients completed the protocol, and seven withdrew (two because of drug intolerance, two because of disease progression, two because of noncompliance, and one because of experimental antiretroviral therapy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures included caloric intake, weight, percent body fat, serum prealbumin, and symptom distress. RESULTS: During dronabinol treatment, subjects experienced increased percent body fat (one percent, p = 0.04); decreased symptom distress (p = 0.04); and trends toward weight gain (0.5 kg, p = 0.13), increased prealbumin (29.0 mg/L, p = 0.11), and improved appetite score (p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: In a selected group of HIV-infected patients with weight loss, short-term treatment with dronabinol may result in improvement in nutritional status and symptom distress.


Source: Effect of Dronabinol on Nutritional Status in HIV Infection
 
Back
Top Bottom