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Nabilone (Cesamet)

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Cannabinoids and Pain

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Abstract

Use of smoked marijuana medicinally has been documented for centuries, including its use as an antiemetic. Academic- and industry-sponsored research in cannabinoids and synthetic analogues led to the development of nabilone, a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) analogue. Numerous studies demonstrated nabilone’s superiority over older antiemetics, and while it was initially set for FDA approval in 1985 by Eli Lilly and Company, it was not until 2006 that Valeant Pharmaceuticals secured final FDA approval for nabilone and marketed under the name Cesamet, for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The emergence of newer, more efficacious antiemetics such as serotonin antagonists has led to nabilone being reserved for breakthrough nausea and vomiting not controlled by standard antiemetics. Additionally, since nabilone is a Δ9-THC analogue, researchers have conducted studies exploring its possible use in the treatment of chronic pain; however results have been mixed. Therefore, chronic pain is not an FDA-approved use of nabilone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ochsner Health Systems, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Nathan J. Harrison & Hunter Simpson

Authors
  1. Nathan J. Harrison
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  2. Hunter Simpson
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Correspondence to Nathan J. Harrison .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Western Reserve Hospital, Center For Pain Medicine, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

    Samer N. Narouze

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Harrison, N.J., Simpson, H. (2021). Nabilone (Cesamet). In: Narouze, S.N. (eds) Cannabinoids and Pain. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69186-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69186-8_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-69185-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-69186-8

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