Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol as an Antiemetic for Patients Receiving Cancer Chemo

Jacob Bell

New Member
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. A comparison with prochlorperazine and a placebo


Author(s) Frytak S, Moertel CG, O'Fallon JR, Rubin J, Creagan ET, O'Connell MJ, Schutt AJ, Schwartau NW
Journal, Volume, Issue Annals of Internal Medicine 1979;91(6):825-830
Major outcome(s) THC and PCP equally effective; both better than placebo; THC produced psychic effects in 82%
Indication Nausea/vomiting;Cancer;Cancer chemotherapy
Medication Delta-9-THC
Route(s) Oral
Dose(s) 3 x 15 mg every 4 hours
Duration (days) several days
Participants 116 cancer patients
Design Controlled study
Type of publication
Address of author(s) Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA


Abstract

The antiemetic activity and side-effects of delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were evaluated in 116 patients (median age 61 years) receiving combined 5-fluorouracil and semustine (methyl CCNU) therapy for gastrointestinal carcinoma. In a double-blind study, patients were randomized to receive THC, 15 mg orally three times a day, prochlorperazine, 10 mg orally three times a day, or placebo. The THC had superior antiemetic activity in comparison to placebo, but it showed no advantage over prochlorperazine. Central nervous system side-effects, however, were significantly more frequent and more severe with THC. With the dosage and schedule we used, and in our patient population of largely elderly adults, THC therapy resulted in an overall more unpleasant treatment experience than that noted with prochlorperazine or placebo. Although THC may have a role in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, this role must be more clearly defined before THC can be recommended for general use.


Source: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. A comparison with prochlorperazine and a placebo
 
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