Cannabinoids for chemotherapy nausea
An option when standard anti-nausea drugs aren't enough.
What studies found
ASCO's 2024 guideline says dronabinol or nabilone (moderate-quality evidence), or a quality-controlled 1:1 THC:CBD extract (low-quality evidence), may be added for nausea that persists despite standard prevention.
The catch
Evidence is insufficient for cancer pain and other symptoms. ASCO advises against using cannabis to treat the cancer itself, and against 300 mg or more of CBD a day, which can raise liver enzymes.
What to do
Ask your team; it comes after guideline anti-nausea drugs, including olanzapine.
Sources
Rung 3 of 5, Moderate: Consistent observational studies or small trials, not yet confirmed by large trials. How we score
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Every option we rated, or follow one cancer step by step: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.