Suspected dronabinol withdrawal in an elderly cannabis-naive medically ill patient.

摘要

To the Editor: Dronabinol is a synthetically produced oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary naturally occurring psychoactive constituent of cannabis. It is approved in the United States for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and AIDS-associated anorexia and weight loss, but it has been used off-label for treatment of other conditions, including non-AIDS-related anorexia and weight loss (1). like cannabis, dronabinol's tolerance, withdrawal, and psychoactive properties are mediated through the CB_1 receptor (1-4). Common symptoms of cannabinoid withdrawal include irritability, anxiety, decreased appetite or weight loss, restlessness, and sleep difficulties, including strange dreams. Less common symptoms include chills, depressed mood, stomach pain, shakiness, and sweating. The onset of withdrawal is within 24 hours of abstinence, peaks within 2-3 days, and lasts approximately 1-2 weeks. To date, withdrawal has only been described in animals and oral cannibinoid users in research studies. Here we describe the first case, to our knowledge, in a clinical setting.