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Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s take a look at how synthetic cannabinoid medications stack up against the actual Cannabis flower. First of all, let’s identify some of the main medications that are currently available, and what each one is primarily used to treat.
First, there are FDA-approved synthetic cannabinoids:
w Marinol – The active ingredient in Marinol, which is made by AbbVie Inc., is Dronabinol, a man-made version of THC. Marinol comes in capsule form and has two patient groups: HIV/AIDS patients, who use it to improve appetite and fight weight loss, and cancer patients, who use it to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
w Cesamet – Like Marinol, Cesamet is an older medication that was introduced to the consumer market during the 1980s. Cesamet’s active ingredient is Nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid or man-made imitation THC. Meda Pharmaceuticals, the company that currently owns Cesamet, describes it as “a prescription medicine that may help relieve nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy,” adding, “It’s for people who continue to feel nauseous or vomit even though they’ve already taken medicine to treat these symptoms.” The manufacturer cautions that Cesamet, like inhaled Cannabis and oral cannabinoid-based medications, may not be safe for women who are pregnant or nursing, or for people who have heart conditions.