Dronabinol oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes dronabinol oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for dronabinol. If you want to know more about dronabinol oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Dronabinol oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Marinol.

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Form and strengths of dronabinol

Dronabinol oral capsule comes as follows:

• Form: oral capsule, which you’ll take by swallowing
• Strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, and 10 mg

Dosage of dronabinol

This article describes the recommended dosages for dronabinol oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of dronabinol oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of dronabinol in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of dronabinol oral capsule. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of dronabinol oral capsule that gives the desired outcome.

For lack of appetite associated with weight loss in people with AIDS, the typical dosages are as follows:

• Starting dosage: 2.5 mg twice a day
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg twice a day

For nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, the dosages are based on body surface area (BSA). Doctors write BSA as mg per meters squared (mg/m²).

• Starting dosage: 5 mg/m² taken 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy
• Maintenance dosage: 5 mg/m² taken every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy, for a total of four to six doses per day
• Maximum dosage: 15 mg/m² per dose for a total of four to six doses per day

For example, a person with a BSA of 1.6 mg/m² would have a starting dosage of 8 mg 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy.

Dosage adjustments for dronabinol

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of dronabinol oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you take
• how your body responds to the medication

Missed dose of dronabinol

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of dronabinol oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled. You should not take two doses at the same time.

For tips on how to plan your doses of dronabinol oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about the dosage of dronabinol oral capsule.

How long does it take for dronabinol to start working?

Dronabinol oral capsule should start to work within 1 hour of taking it. Typically, the effects of this medication peak around 2 to 4 hours after taking it and last about 6 hours. Its effects on appetite can last up to 24 hours.

To learn more about how long it takes dronabinol oral capsule to start working, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can dronabinol be used for pain? If so, what is the dosage?

Possibly. But dronabinol oral capsule isn’t approved for pain. It’s approved to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. It’s also approved to treat lack of appetite associated with weight loss in people with AIDS.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe dronabinol oral capsule off-label for pain. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about treatment options for pain, talk with your doctor. 

Is dronabinol taken long term?

Yes, doctors may prescribe dronabinol oral capsule as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take dronabinol oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How dronabinol is taken

If you take dronabinol oral capsule for lack of appetite with weight loss from AIDS, you’ll swallow it twice per day. You’ll take it 1 hour before lunch and again 1 hour before dinner.

If you’re an older adult or you’re having trouble with certain side effects, your doctor may recommend taking it once per day. You’ll take it 1 hour before dinner or at bedtime.

If you take dronabinol oral capsule for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, you’ll swallow it 1 to 3 hours before your chemotherapy treatment. You’ll take this dose on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating.

After this first dose, you’ll take it every 2 to 4 hours after your chemotherapy treatment, for up to four to six doses per day. You can take these doses with or without food. But always take your doses at the same time in relation to food with each chemotherapy treatment.

If you’re an older adult or you’re having trouble with certain side effects, your doctor may recommend only taking it once per day, 1 to 3 hours before your chemotherapy treatment.

If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Dronabinol coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for dronabinol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

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Overdose of dronabinol

It’s important that you do not take more dronabinol oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of dronabinol overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• drowsiness
• increased sensitivity of your senses
• a change in your perception of time
• mood changes
• dry mouth
• euphoria (intense feelings of pleasure, happiness, or well-being)
• fast heart rate
• red eyes 
• slurred speech
• trouble with coordination
• trouble with memory

What to do if you take too much dronabinol

If you think you’ve taken too much dronabinol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for dronabinol oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of dronabinol oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take dronabinol oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What should I do if I miss a dose of dronabinol oral capsule?
• Will you change my dosage of dronabinol oral capsule if I take other medications with it?
• Will a higher dosage of dronabinol increase my risk of side effects?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.