Dronabinol response

Dronabinol is the main psychoactive component in marijuana. Dronabinol is used in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among individuals who have not responded to conventional antiemetic therapy, and to treat anorexia associated with weight loss in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Dronabinol is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9, which is responsible for the formation of the major active metabolite (11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC). Individuals who lack CYP2C9 activity (“CYP2C9 poor metabolizers”) have an increased exposure to dronabinol and an increased risk of side effects. Adverse events associated with dronabinol therapy include sedation, physical weakness, facial flushing, and palpitations.nThe FDA-approved drug label for dronabinol recommends monitoring for the increased adverse reactions that could potentially occur in individuals who are known to have genetic variants associated with diminished CYP2C9 function. The label states that published data indicates these individuals may have a 2- to 3-fold higher exposure to dronabinol.

Medical Genetics Summaries