Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol as an Antiemetic for Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

The antiemetic activity and side-effects of .DELTA.-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were evaluated in 116 patients (median age 61 yr) receiving combined 5-fluorouracil and semustine (methyl CCNU) therapy for gastrointestinal carcinoma. In a double-blind study, patients were randomized to receive THC, 15 mg orally 3 times a day, prochlorperazine, 10 mg orally 3 times a day, or placebo. The THC had superior antiemetic activity in comparison to placebo, but it showed no advantage over prochlorperazine. CNS side-effects were significantly more frequent and more severe with THC. With the dosage and schedule used, and in 2 patient population of largely elderly adults, THC therapy resulted in an overall more unpleasant treatment experience than that noted with prochlorperazine or placebo. Although THC may have a role in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, this role must be more clearly defined before THC can be recommended for general use.