An antiemetic is a drug that is effective in treating nausea and vomiting. Antiemetic treatments can work alone or in conjunction with other antiemetic drugs to help ease the symptoms of CINV. These treatments could help you stay on your course of chemotherapy.⁴

Today, there are many treatment options to help you through this difficult side effect of chemotherapy. There is no need for you to suffer alone. Talk to your doctor about how Cesamet might help you or your loved one. Cesamet is prescribed when other treatments have not adequately controlled the nausea and vomiting caused by the chemotherapy. For more information about how Cesamet works, click here.

Important Safety Information¹

Cesamet, a synthetic cannabinoid similar to the active ingredient found in naturally occurring Cannabis sativa L. [Marijuana; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC)], is contraindicated in any patient who has a history of hypersensitivity to any cannabinoid. Patients receiving treatment with Cesamet should be specifically warned not to drive, operate machinery, or engage in any hazardous activity while receiving Cesamet. During controlled clinical trials of Cesamet, virtually all patients experienced at least one adverse reaction. The most commonly encountered events were drowsiness, vertigo, dry mouth, euphoria (feeling “high”), ataxia, headache, and concentration difficulties. Cesamet should not be taken with alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, or other psychoactive substances because these substances can potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) effects of nabilone. Since Cesamet can elevate supine and standing heart rates and cause postural hypotension, it should be used with caution in the elderly, and in patients with hypertension or heart disease. Cesamet should also be used with caution in patients with current or previous psychiatric disorders, (including manic depressive illness, depression, and schizophrenia) as the symptoms of these disease states may be unmasked by the use of cannabinoids. Cesamet should be used with caution in individuals receiving concomitant therapy with sedatives, hypnotics, or other psychoactive drugs because of the potential for additive or synergistic CNS effects. Cesamet should be used with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse, including alcohol abuse or dependence and marijuana use, since Cesamet contains a similar active compound to marijuana. Cesamet should be used with caution in pregnant patients, nursing mothers, or pediatric patients because it has not been studied in these patient populations.

For complete prescribing details, please see full prescribing information.
Click here to download.

References

1. Cesamet® [package insert]. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International; 2006.
2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Nausea and vomiting. Treatment guidelines for patients with cancer. 2006;3:5-31.
3. Wiser W, Berger A. Practical management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Oncology. 2005;19(5):637-645.
4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Antiemesis. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. 2006;1:AE-1-REF-7.