Item: Leafwell
Rating: 5
Author: Aaron Belcher

Discover what medical marijuana can do for you

Learn what existing science says about cannabis

Stay legal with our guide to cannabis laws

Medical Cannabis

Easily discover what and how medical marijuana can help you or a family member.

How can cannabis help me?

Join a Study

Participate in cannabis research so that together, we can increase access to cannabis.

Want to join a study?

The science behind cannabis as medicine

The ins and outs of getting a medical card

Strains, grows, and the power of plant medicine

The latest news from the cannabis industry

Guides for choosing the best cannabis products

Live better with medical cannabis

See stories

Discover how cannabis can help people live better

Patient Stories

Join Leafwell’s partner program

Join and boost your earnings

Help us gather meaningful, connected data

<p>Talk about EASY!! The whole process took 15 minutes, including the call with the Doctor!!! Amazing!</p>


<p>Me encanta lo f&aacute;cil que nos lo ponen. No se necesita mucho tiempo ni esfuerzo y ahora ya puedo ir a cualquier tienda que quiera.</p>


Subscribe

<p>Despite cannabis being a <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/what-are-schedule-1-drugs/">Schedule I substance</a> and therefore considered to have &ldquo;no therapeutic value,&rdquo; there are three cannabinoid-based prescription medications available in the United States:</p>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/is-marinol-a-good-substitute-for-marijuana/">Dronabinol</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Nabilone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nabilone</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/what-is-cbd/">Cannabidiol (CBD)</a> in the form of <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/epidiolex/">Epidiolex</a></li>
</ol>
<p>In the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Poland, and Canada, nabiximols (Sativex) is also available for prescription.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Free Infographic Guide to Cannabinoids</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="648316ce-e44d-45eb-b760-eb7229d520ce" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137058000-5451241686"></div>
</div>
<h2 id="dronabinol">Dronabinol</h2>
<p>Dronabinol is a synthetic form of <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/what-is-thc-tetrahydrocannabinol/">delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)</a>. Its trade names are Marinol and Syndros. Marinol is an oral capsule, and Syndros is an oral solution.</p>
<p>Dronabinol is a Schedule II drug.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Download Free Guide to THC</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="6a21b7fa-5c65-4311-bb6f-bff543a47f09" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137058000-1465411015"></div>
</div>
<h3>Cannabinoids</h3>
<p>Dronabinol contains synthetic delta-9-THC and no other cannabinoids, making it a <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/synthetic-cannabinoids/">synthetic cannabinoid</a>.</p>
<h3>Purpose and Uses</h3>
<p>Dronabinol is prescribed to treat <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/eating-disorders/">anorexia</a> in adults with <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/hiv-aids/">AIDS</a> who have lost weight (<a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/cachexia-or-wasting-syndrome/">cachexia</a>) and experience chemotherapy-induced <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/nausea-mitigation/">nausea and vomiting</a>. Chemotherapy is usually recommended to treat <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/cancer/">cancer</a> but is occasionally used for treating bone marrow diseases and immune system disorders like <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/lupus/">lupus</a>, <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/">multiple sclerosis (MS)</a>, and <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/arthritis/">rheumatoid arthritis</a>. Cannabinoids may help manage symptoms associated with these conditions as well.</p>
<h3>Potential Health Benefits</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Stimulates appetite, which can help <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5896684/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduce weight and muscle loss</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869612/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reduces</a> episodes of nausea and vomiting in those undergoing chemotherapy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Risks and Drawbacks</h3>
<p>Dronabinol can cause:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Weakness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stomach pain</li>
<li aria-level="1">Nausea</li>
<li aria-level="1">Vomiting</li>
<li aria-level="1">Memory loss</li>
<li aria-level="1">Anxiety</li>
<li aria-level="1">Confusion</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sleepiness</li>
</ul>
<p>Although dronabinol is relatively well-tolerated, the lack of other cannabinoids may reduce its anti-inflammatory properties as there is no <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/entourage-effect/">entourage effect</a>. The lack of other cannabinoids and <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/terpenes/">terpenes</a> may also decrease dronabinol&rsquo;s tolerability, as they can reduce some of THC&rsquo;s psychoactivity and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8426550/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negative impact on memory</a>.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Free Cannabinoid and Terpene Guide</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="385258c5-8b97-4a64-b72c-e2e891bb9223" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137058000-1694838186"></div>
</div>
<h2 id="nabilone">Nabilone</h2>
<p>Nabilone is also a synthetic form of delta-9-THC but is considered to be more potent compared to dronabinol. Nabilone is sold under the trade names Cesamet and Canemes. It is often administered orally in tablet form up to a maximum of 6 mg daily.</p>
<p>Nabilone is a Schedule II substance.</p>
<h3>Cannabinoids</h3>
<p>Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the action of THC. Synthetic THC is the only cannabinoid in nabilone.</p>
<h3>Purpose and Uses</h3>
<p>Nabilone is most often prescribed for managing nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy. Nabilone may also be prescribed for managing treatment-resistant <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/chronic-pain-muscle-pain/">chronic pain</a> and <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/neuropathy-nerve-pain/">neuropathic (nerve) pain</a> and as an appetite stimulant for patients with AIDS or cancer.</p>
<p>Although not approved for use yet in the US, nabilone is shown to be effective for managing symptoms associated with the following conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/parkinsons-disease/">Parkinson&rsquo;s disease</a>, where nabilone may be used for <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3901" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improving sleep and reducing anxiety</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Neuropathic pain and spasticity as a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25288189/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">result</a> of multiple sclerosis (MS).</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-diseases/">Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)</a>, in particular <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28276820/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ulcerative colitis</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/">Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</a> and may help reduce the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546995/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">occurrence and severity of nightmares</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Health Benefits</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Nabilone is a well-tolerated medication with analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-emetic (nausea- and vomiting-relieving) effects.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stimulates appetite.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Can help manage insomnia, spasticity, and movement problems in patients with Parkinson&rsquo;s, PTSD, and MS.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Can help reduce <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/anxiety-panic-disorders/">anxiety</a> and inflammation in those with IBD.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Risks and Drawbacks</h3>
<p>Side-effects of nabilone include:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Headache</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dizziness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Unsteady walking</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drowsiness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sleep problems</li>
<li aria-level="1">Weakness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dry mouth</li>
<li aria-level="1">Changes in appetite</li>
<li aria-level="1">Nabilone may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16873343/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increase the sensation</a> of postoperative pain when combined with morphine</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="epidiolex">Epidiolex</h2>
<p>Epidiolex is a CBD-based medication for treating <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/epilepsy/">epilepsy</a> in those two or older, particularly <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/dravet-syndrome-epilepsy/">Dravet syndrome</a> and <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/lennox-gastaut-syndrome-epilepsy/">Lennox-Gastaut syndrome</a>. Epidiolex is an oral solution containing highly purified CBD derived from cannabis.</p>
<p>Epidiolex is a Schedule V drug.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Download Free Guide to CBD</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="399553b0-b478-4c63-b3a1-eceaf34da7d9" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137058000-0301503788"></div>
</div>
<h3>Cannabinoids</h3>
<p>Epidiolex only contains CBD. There are no other cannabinoids in Epidiolex.</p>
<h3>Purpose and Uses</h3>
<p>Epidiolex is approved to treat seizures associated with three conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lennox-Gastaut syndrome</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dravet syndrome</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Health Benefits</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">CBD is shown to be effective in reducing the occurrence of seizures in those with epilepsy.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Although it has not been approved for such conditions, CBD may be useful for managing chronic pain, <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/muscle-spasms/">muscle spasms</a>, anxiety, depression, insomnia, nerve pain, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6843725/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">psychosis</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/neuroplasticity-and-neurogenesis-is-cannabis-a-nootropic-that-boosts-the-brain/">neuroprotective</a>, and antioxidative properties, which can help those suffering from various neurological conditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Risks and Drawbacks</h3>
<p>CBD has the following potential side effects:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Somnolence (drowsiness, sleepiness).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Decreased appetite.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Diarrhea.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Transaminase elevations, which can cause liver injury.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Fatigue, malaise, and asthenia (lack of energy).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rash.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Insomnia.</li>
<li aria-level="1">CBD desensitizes the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP450), which can interfere with metabolizing other drugs, particularly benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and other drugs with sedative properties.</li>
</ul>
<p>Despite being well-tolerated and potentially beneficial for many different conditions, Epidiolex is only available for a limited number of conditions. Those who require high-quality, cannabis-based CBD products will need to get <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-card/">certified for cannabis and apply for a medical marijuana card</a>.</p>
<h2 id="nabiximols">Nabiximols</h2>
<p>Nabiximols is a cannabis extract containing a <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/why-does-the-1-to-1-cbd-to-thc-ratio-work-so-well/">1:1 THC:CBD</a> ratio, and it is sold under the trade name Sativex. Sativex/nabiximols is an oromucosal spray.</p>
<p>As nabiximols is not approved for use for any condition in the U.S., it is not available on prescription and is considered a Schedule I drug.</p>
<h3>Cannabinoids</h3>
<p>Nabiximols contains an equal ratio (or nearly equal ratio) of both THC and CBD, and it is, therefore, a 1:1 THC:CBD product.</p>
<h3>Purpose and Uses</h3>
<p>Outside of the U.S., nabiximols is prescribed for treating:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chronic pain resistant to other methods of control, usually as part of a clinical trial.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Managing pain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss associated with chemotherapy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Health Benefits</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">CBD and THC (as well as other cannabinoids) combined may have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33998900/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> anti-inflammatory effects.</li>
<li aria-level="1">CBD can <a href="https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-020-00034-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">counteract</a> some of THC&rsquo;s psychoactive and negative effects on memory.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Nabiximols is a well-tolerated medication. The likelihood of a deadly overdose on nabiximols alone is more of a theoretical rather than a practical possibility.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Potential Risks and Drawbacks</h3>
<p>Side effects of nabiximols include:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Feeling sick</li>
<li aria-level="1">Feeling sleepy</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dizziness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tiredness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Diarrhea</li>
<li aria-level="1">Headaches</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dry mouth</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition, CBD desensitizes the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP450), which interferes with metabolizing some classes of drugs, including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and blood thinners like warfarin and aspirin.</p>
<p>THC also has sedative effects that can negatively interact with opioid-based painkillers, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants.</p>
<div data-highlight="rec-card" data-title="Get Your Medical Card" data-image='{"id":22129,"altText":"","sourceUrl":"https:\/\/admin.leafwell.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png","srcSet":"https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png?size=384x476&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 384w, https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng-484x600.png?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 484w, https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 508w"}'>Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.</div>


Head of Research and Education

Dipak Hemraj is a published author, grower, product maker, and Leafwell’s resident cannabis expert. From botany &amp; horticulture to culture and economics, he wishes to help educate the public on why cannabis is medicine (or a “pharmacy in a plant”) and how it can be used to treat a plethora of health problems. Dipak wants to unlock the power of the plant, and see if there are specific cannabinoid-terpene-flavonoid profiles suitable for different conditions.