AEGiS-GMHC: IN BRIEF: Marijunana Therapy in HIV

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IN BRIEF: Marijunana Therapy in HIV

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 5 - June 20, 1991
David Barr

Dronabinol is a pill containing cannabis and sesame oil made by Roxane Laboratories, and marketed under the name Marinol. Marinol is FDA-approved to control nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A study from San Francisco General Hospital found that the drug increased appetite and wight gain in asymptomatic HIV-positive men. The authors also hypothesize that Marinol may counteract the side effects of antiviral therapy. The doses range from 2.5 mg/2-to-3 times daily to 10 mg, and the price of Marinol can cost from $227 to $911 a month.

On a similar note, marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is available to threat nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite through a Compassionate Use Program. Doctors must set up a "one person trial" with the FDA for each patient who wishes to use this drug. Both doctor and patient will be investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency for past drug use. The marijuana, administered as an herb to be smoked, will be provided by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, which operates its own farm. For more information, contact Corrine Moody at (301) 443-3741.

Copyright (c) 1991 - Gay Men's Health Crisis, Inc. All rights reserved. Non-commercial reproduction is encouraged. Distributed by AEGIS, your online gateway to a world of people, knowledge, and resources. Direct Dial: v.34+: 714.248.2836; v.120/ISDN: 714.248.0433 Internet: telnet:aegis.com www: www.aegis.com

910620
GM050506

Copyright © 1991 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .