Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
Dronabinol may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
To stimulate appetite in people with AIDS, dronabinol is usually taken 1 hour before lunch and 1 hour before dinner.
To prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy:
- Take your first dose on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating.
- After your first dose, you may take dronabinol with or without food but take it the same way each time.
- Dronabinol is usually given 1 to 3 hours before your chemotherapy treatment, and then every 2 to 4 hours (up to 6 doses per day).
Older adults may need to take this medicine less often. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Take the liquid medicine with a full glass of water.
You may need to follow a special diet while using dronabinol. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods you should eat to help boost your food intake.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using dronabinol.
Do not stop using dronabinol suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Store the capsules or unopened liquid medicine in a tightly-closed container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
You may also store the capsules at cool room temperature, away from moisture and heat. After opening the liquid medicine, store it at room temperature. Throw away any unused liquid 42 days after opening the bottle.