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Cápsulas de nabilona

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.

De un vistazo

  • 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 de medicamento

An antiemetic (anti-sickness)

Usado para

Sickness associated with cancer treatment

Disponible como

Cápsulas

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:

  • Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

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

  • Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tu hígado.

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

  • Si está tomando o usando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

  • Si alguna vez has tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

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.

Obteniendo el máximo de tu tratamiento

  • 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

¿Qué puedo hacer si experimento esto?

Feeling drowsy or sleepy

Do not drive and do not use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol

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

Hable con su médico si alguno de estos se vuelve problemático

Boca seca

Intenta masticar chicle sin azúcar o chupar caramelos sin azúcar

Dolor de cabeza

Hable con su médico si es problemático

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

  • Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera de la vista y del alcance de los niños.

  • Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos

Nunca tome más de la dosis prescrita. Si sospecha que usted u otra persona podría haber tomado una sobredosis de este medicamento, acuda de inmediato al departamento de accidentes y emergencias de su hospital local. Lleve el envase con usted, incluso si está vacío.

Este medicamento es para ti. Nunca lo des a otras personas, incluso si su condición parece ser la misma que la tuya.

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

Si vas a someterte a una operación o tratamiento dental, informa a la persona que realiza el tratamiento sobre los medicamentos que estás tomando.

No guardes medicamentos caducados o no deseados. Llévalos a tu farmacia local, que se encargará de desecharlos por ti.

Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre este medicamento, consulta a tu farmacéutico.

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Preguntas frecuentes

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.

Lecturas adicionales y referencias

Sobre el autorVer biografía completa

Imagen del autor

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Gerente de Revisión de Folletos de Medicamentos – Contratista, Farmacéutico

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael es un farmacéutico comunitario que ejerce en Midlands y South Yorkshire con más de 20 años de experiencia asesorando sobre medicamentos y condiciones médicas. Tiene una sólida formación en capacitación en atención médica, habiendo producido e impartido cursos de formación para equipos de farmacia y personal de entornos de atención residencial, incluidas enfermeras. También ha contribuido a juntas asesoras de farmacia para la gestión de condiciones de baja gravedad en la comunidad.

Acerca del revisor

Imagen del autor

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani se graduó en la Escuela de Farmacia de Londres en 1994 y se convirtió en el miembro más joven elegido para el consejo de la Sociedad Real de Farmacia desde su fundación en 1842.

Historial del artículo

La información en esta página está escrita y revisada por pares por clínicos calificados.

  • Próxima revisión: 3 de febrero de 2028
  • 3 Feb 2025 | Última versión

    Última actualización por

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Revisado por pares por

    Sid Dajani
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