Dronabinol (brand name: Marinol)

Dronabinol is a synthetic, man-made medicinal product designed to reproduce the psychoactive properties associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the primary cannabinoids found in medical cannabis. 

While it is widely sold under brand names like Marinol (produced by AbbVie Inc), there are several other generic versions available from other pharmaceutical companies around the world. 

At a glance: Dronabinol (brand name: Marinol)

 

What is dronabinol (Marinol)?

Dronabinol (Marinol) is a form of synthetic cannabinoid that has an identical structure to THC to help replicate its effects. 

It is mainly known for its use in helping to treat weight loss in patients with AIDS, or alleviating the nausea and vomiting symptoms commonly experienced by people receiving chemotherapy.

While countries like the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Croatia have it available as a licensed medication, the same isn’t true of the UK.

In the UK, it can only be prescribed as an unlicensed medicine by a specialist, and is rarely used in clinical practice.

Is dronabinol (Marinol) psychoactive? 

Yes, dronabinol is designed to offer a psychoactive effect in the same way as THC. 

This is due to the two sharing an identical molecular structure. The only difference is that THC is a naturally occurring compound from cannabis plants, whereas dronabinol is a synthetic cannabinoid produced in a lab.

Is dronabinol (Marinol) the same as CBD? 

No, dronabinol is designed to mimic THC, not cannabidiol (CBD). 

THC and CBD are different types of cannabinoids contained within the cannabis plant, with each offering its own unique effects. 

As we have touched on already, THC is psychoactive and associated with a “high” sensation. Meanwhile, CBD is not psychoactive and is better known for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Is dronabinol (Marinol) legal in the UK?

Yes, dronabinol is legal in the UK but only as an unlicensed medication that can be prescribed by specialists.

For this reason, the medication is different from nabilone, another well-known form of synthetic cannabinoid-based medication, because it isn’t licensed for use within the UK and is much less commonly offered in clinical practice. 

How is dronabinol (Marinol) administered?

Dronabinol is usually taken orally (by the mouth) in either capsule or liquid form. The dosage you need to take will depend on your condition and how well you respond to treatment. 

It’s important to follow the prescribed dosage and not exceed it without consulting your prescribing specialist. Make sure to consult the medication’s package leaflet for further information if you’re ever unsure. 

What are the side effects of taking dronabinol (Marinol)? 

Taking dronabinol (Marinol) may lead to certain side effects. Some of the most commonly reported side effects include: 

• clumsiness or feeling unsteady on your feet

• dizziness

• nausea or vomiting

• brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• drowsiness

In rare cases, the medication may also cause some patients to experience abdominal pain, a loss of strength, restlessness, palpitations and a flushing of the face. 

Over time, it may also impact your mental health, resulting in feelings of confusion, mood changes, depression, anxiety or memory-related issues.

While these side effects occur much less commonly, you should always speak to a medical professional if you ever experience them while taking dronabinol (Marinol).

What conditions is dronabinol (Marinol) prescribed for?

Dronabinol is prescribed to treat the nausea and vomiting symptoms commonly associated with cancer treatment, but only when conventional medications have proved unsuccessful. 

It may also be prescribed to patients with AIDS to help stimulate appetite. 

Frequently asked questions about dronabinol (Marinol)

What’s the difference between dronabinol (Marinol) and Nabilone?

While dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone are both man-made cannabinoids, they work in different ways. 

Dronabinol is a synthetic form of delta-9-THC that is manufactured to have the exact same structure as the THC you’d find in cannabis plants. Nabilone has a different structure and is designed to mimic THC rather than copy it exactly. 

In the UK, nabilone is also a licensed form of medication, whereas dronabinol is not.

Is dronabinol (Marinol) the same as delta-9-THC or CBD?

Dronabinol is a synthetic form of delta-9-THC, the cannabinoid contained in cannabis that gives it its psychoactive attributes. So yes, the two are effectively designed to be the same.

CBD is a cannabinoid too, but it has an entirely different molecular structure to delta-9-THC. Importantly, it also isn’t psychoactive in the same way as THC is, so it is unrelated to dronabinol (Marinol).

Does dronabinol (Marinol) cause a high?

Yes, it can. 

Because dronabinol is a man-made form of THC, it acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system in a similar way to the THC you’d find in cannabis. This may lead to a feeling of being “high”, along with certain mild side effects including dizziness, confusion and drowsiness that should settle over time.

Is dronabinol (Marinol) used for appetite, nausea or pain?

Dronabinol is generally prescribed to patients with AIDS to help stimulate appetite. 

It’s also recommended to cancer patients who experience nausea and vomiting symptoms that other conventional treatments have been unable to help. 

While there has been some promising research into its potential use in alleviating chronic pain, the evidence isn’t strong enough yet to form any solid conclusions. So it isn’t an approved treatment for pain as things currently stand. 

How long do the effects of taking dronabinol (Marinol) last?

Once dronabinol has been administered, it tends to work fairly quickly, with effects generally felt within half an hour to an hour. However, this can vary from patient to patient. 

The drug also has an estimated half-life of four hours, which means it doesn’t stay in your system for too long. This is why you may be recommended to take it more than once per day by your prescribing specialist. 

Is dronabinol (Marinol) available or licensed in the UK?

No, dronabinol is currently not recognised as a form of licensed medication in the UK. This means it’s not available on the NHS or from routine GP practices. 

However, it is legal in the UK, so may be prescribed to specific patients by specialist doctors as an unlicensed form of medicine. 

How does dronabinol (Marinol) differ from whole-plant medical cannabis? 

Dronabinol is a synthetic cannabinoid designed to replicate the effects of THC. 

Medical cannabis, on the other hand, comes from the whole plant, where it is specifically cultivated to contain a much larger mixture of chemical compounds, including other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. 

It’s this molecular profile that is believed to give different medical cannabis strains their unique effects, which clinicians can then use to tailor towards the needs of certain eligible patients.

If you would like to see whether you are eligible to receive medical cannabis treatment in the UK, take a look at our medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free, quick to fill in and could help you find the relief you’re looking for.

Alternatively, take a look at our medical cannabis glossary to learn more about the various terms you may hear associated with medical cannabis.

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