Dronabinol as a treatment for anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS.

Abstract

The effects of dronabinol on appetite and weight were evaluated in 139 patients with AIDS-related anorexia and > or = 2.3 kg weight loss in a multi-institutional study. Patients were randomized to receive 2.5 mg dronabinol twice daily or placebo. Patients rated appetite, mood, and nausea by using a 100-mm visual analogue scale 3 days weekly. Efficacy was evaluable in 88 patients. Dronabinol was associated with increased appetite above baseline (38% vs 8% for placebo, P = 0.015), improvement in mood (10% vs -2%, P = 0.06), and decreased nausea (20% vs 7%; P = 0.05). Weight was stable in dronabinol patients, while placebo recipients had a mean loss of 0.4 kg (P = 0.14). Of the dronabinol patients, 22% gained > or = 2 kg, compared with 10.5% of placebo recipients (P = 0.11). Side effects were mostly mild to moderate in severity (euphoria, dizziness, thinking abnormalities); there was no difference in discontinued therapy between dronabinol (8.3%) and placebo (4.5%) recipients. Dronabinol was found to be safe and effective for anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS.

• Authors: J E Beal, R Olson, L Laubenstein, J O Morales, P Bellman, B Yangco, L Lefkowitz, T F Plasse, K V Shepard
• Journal: Journal of pain and symptom management (J Pain Symptom Manage) Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 89-97 (Feb 1995) ISSN: 0885-3924 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7730690 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dronabinol

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (complications)
• Adult
• Anorexia (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Dronabinol (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Weight Loss