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Capsule di Nabilone

Nabilone is prescribed for sickness caused by cancer treatments.

Side-effects such as feeling sleepy and dizzy are common. They may last for several days after your last dose.

If you notice any changes in your mood or behaviour, please speak with your doctor as soon as possible for advice.

A colpo d'occhio

  • Nabilone is an anti-sickness medicine used to prevent sickness from cancer treatment.

  • It is a man-made cannabinoid, similar to extracts from the cannabis plant.

  • You typically take one capsule twice-daily during chemotherapy and for up to two days afterwards.

  • Do not drink alcohol or drive while taking nabilone as it can cause drowsiness and dizziness.

  • Common side-effects include drowsiness, dizziness, high moods, and dry mouth.

About nabilone

Tipo di medicinale

An antiemetic (anti-sickness)

Utilizzato per

Sickness associated with cancer treatment

Disponibile come

Capsule

You will have been prescribed nabilone to prevent (or treat) feelings of sickness caused by your anticancer medicines. It is not clear how the medicine works, but it can be helpful even if other anti-sickness medicines have not been effective. It is usually prescribed by a hospital doctor. It is a man-made cannabinoid. This means that it has effects on your body similar to extracts from the cannabis plant.

Before taking nabilone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking nabilone it is important that your doctor knows:

  • Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

  • If you have heart disease, or if you have high blood pressure.

  • Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato.

  • If you have ever been diagnosed with a mental health problem - for example, depression or schizophrenia.

  • Se stai assumendo o utilizzando altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

  • Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

How to take nabilone

  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and any additional information your doctor has given to you. These will give you more information about nabilone, and will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

  • Take the capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is likely that you will be prescribed one (1 mg) capsule twice-daily throughout each cycle of your chemotherapy and for up to two days afterwards. Swallow the capsule with a drink of water. You may be advised to take your first dose the night before you start chemotherapy and then another dose one to three hours before your treatment begins. If it is considered necessary, your doctor can increase your dose to a maximum of two 1 mg capsules three times a day.

  • Take nabilone at the same time of day each day if possible - this will help you to take your doses regularly. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are on nabilone. Nabilone will increase the risk of some of the side-effects of alcohol, particularly feeling drowsy and dizzy.

  • Nabilone is likely to affect your ability to drive. You must not drive whilst taking the medicine until you know how it affects you. It is against the law to drive if your driving ability is impaired.

  • If you are planning a trip abroad, you are advised to carry a letter with you from your doctor to explain that you have been prescribed nabilone. This is because it is classed as a 'controlled drug' and is subject to certain restrictions.

Can nabilone cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with nabilone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Some of the side-effects listed below may last for two or three days after you've stopped taking nabilone.

Common nabilone side-effects

Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo?

Feeling drowsy or sleepy

Non guidare e non utilizzare strumenti o macchinari. Non bere alcolici

Feeling dizzy (possibly caused by low blood pressure)

Get up and move more slowly than normal. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit or lie down until you feel better

High moods, poor muscle co-ordination, eyesight problems, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping

Parla con il tuo medico se uno di questi diventa problematico

Bocca secca

Prova a masticare gomme senza zucchero o a succhiare caramelle senza zucchero

Mal di testa

Parla con il tuo medico se è problematico

If you experience other symptoms which you think may be due to the capsules, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store nabilone

  • Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla vista e dalla portata dei bambini.

  • Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali

Non assumere mai più della dose prescritta. Se sospetti che tu o qualcun altro possa aver assunto un sovradosaggio di questo medicinale, recati immediatamente al pronto soccorso del tuo ospedale locale. Porta con te il contenitore, anche se è vuoto.

Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.

If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your prescribed medicines.

Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.

Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.

Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.

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Domande frequenti

What is nabilone and how does it work to stop sickness?

Nabilone is an anti-sickness medicine, also known as an antiemetic. It is a man-made cannabinoid, meaning it has effects on the body similar to natural cannabis extracts. Although the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, it is prescribed to prevent or treat sickness caused by anticancer medicines and can be effective even when other anti-sickness medications have not worked.

Why is nabilone considered a 'controlled drug'?

Nabilone is classified as a 'controlled drug' because it is a man-made cannabinoid, which means it has similar effects to extracts from the cannabis plant. This classification means it is subject to certain legal restrictions, especially when travelling internationally. If you plan to travel abroad, you should carry a letter from your doctor explaining that you have been prescribed nabilone.

Can I adjust my dose of nabilone if I feel very sick or the medicine isn't working?

You should always take nabilone exactly as your doctor instructs. While your doctor can increase your dose if considered necessary (up to a maximum of two 1 mg capsules three times a day), you should not adjust the dosage yourself. If you are experiencing persistent sickness or feel the medicine is not effective, you should speak with your doctor for further advice.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose of nabilone?

If you forget to take a dose of nabilone, simply take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. It's best to try and take your doses regularly, at the same time of day if possible, to get the most benefit from the treatment.

How long do the side-effects of nabilone typically last?

Some of the side-effects associated with nabilone may last for two or three days after you have stopped taking the medicine. For a full list of potential side-effects and their duration, consult the manufacturer's information leaflet provided with your medicine, or speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I do if I experience side-effects not listed in the common ones, like high moods or eyesight problems?

The article mentions that if you experience high moods, poor muscle co-ordination, eyesight problems, difficulty concentrating, or difficulty sleeping, you should speak with your doctor if any of these become troublesome. For any other symptoms you suspect might be due to nabilone that are not listed as common side-effects, you should also speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Ulteriori letture e riferimenti

Informazioni sull'autoreVisualizza il profilo completo

Immagine dell'autore

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Responsabile Revisione Foglietti Illustrativi – Contrattista, Farmacista

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael è un farmacista comunitario che esercita nelle Midlands e nel South Yorkshire con oltre 20 anni di esperienza nel consigliare su farmaci e condizioni mediche. Ha una solida esperienza nella formazione sanitaria, avendo prodotto e tenuto corsi di formazione per team di farmacia e personale di strutture di assistenza residenziale, inclusi infermieri. Ha anche contribuito a consigli consultivi farmaceutici per la gestione di condizioni a bassa gravità nella comunità.

Informazioni sul recensore

Immagine dell'autore

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani si è laureato alla London School of Pharmacy nel 1994 ed è diventato il più giovane membro eletto del consiglio della Royal Pharmaceutical Society dalla sua fondazione nel 1842.

Storia dell'articolo

Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.

  • Prossima revisione prevista: 3 Feb 2028
  • 3 Feb 2025 | Ultima versione

    Ultimo aggiornamento di

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Revisione paritaria di

    Sid Dajani
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