Klinischer Einsatz von Cannabinoiden -Dronabinol zur Behandlung von therapierefraktarer Ubelkeit und Erbrechen bei onkologischen Patienten in der Palliativmedizin

摘要

Background Cannabinoids are considered beneficial in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). In addition to several problems, patients under palliative care often suffer from nausea and emesis; there are multiple causes for these symptoms. There are only a few reports available about the treatment of non-chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis with dronabinol. Methods In a retrospective analysis, data of palliative care patients with therapy-resistant nausea and emesis treated with dronabinol during 2012 to 2013, were evaluated. Severity of nausea, emesis and loss of appetite was assessed three times a day. Results In total, 33 patients were treated with dronabinol. During treatment, improvements in all three symptoms were observed. The proportion of patients suffering from severe nausea, emesis or loss of appetite was reduced. Conclusion Dronabinol represents an option for treatment-refractory nausea and emesis as an add-on therapy to established antiemetics. With respect to reduced appetite, dronabinol is the treatment of choice, as for this indication, there are only very few available options in palliative care.