Medicinal Uses of Marijuana: Nausea, Emesis and Appetite Stimulation

[Sequoiacrone]

Medicinal Uses of Marijuana: Nausea, Emesis and Appetite Stimulation

Excerpts from the American Public Health Association (APHA) amicus brief (http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/conantv_jurith.pdf) in Conant v. McCaffrey (http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/medical/challenges/cases/conant/), (2001 filing):
Marijuana is effective in treating nausea, anorexia and wasting.
Nausea, anorexia, and wasting are common symptoms of many cancers and AIDS.(36) These symptoms are also the common adverse side effects of chemotherapy and other aggressive therapies used to treat those diseases and associated pain.(37) While other antiemetics are available, not all patients respond to these therapies.(38) Marijuana can provide critical relief for persons suffering from acute or chronic nausea and vomiting who do not respond to conventional therapies.(39) As the Institute of Medicine explains, “[t]he critical issue is not whether marijuana or cannabinoid drugs might be superior to the new drugs, but whether some group of patients might obtain added or better relief from marijuana or cannabinoid drugs.” IOM Report at 153.

read more...
http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/medical/challenges/litigators/medical/conditions/nausea.cfm

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Peer Reviewed Results of New York State-sponsored Cancer/Marijuana Studies


Vincent Vinciguerra, MD, et al.


Nov. 6, 1988

"Inhalation Marijuana as an Antiemetic for Cancer Chemotherapy" by Vincent Vinciguerra, MD; Terry Moore, MSW; Eileen Brennan, RN




Single PageVincent Vinciguerra, MD; Terry Moore, MSW; Eileen Brennan, RN
ABSTRACT. A prospective pilot study of the use, of Inhalation marijuana as an antiemetic for cancer chemotherapy was conducted. Fifty-six patients who had no Improvement with standard antiemetic agents were treated and 78% demonstrated a positive response to marijuana. Younger age and prior marijuana exposure were factors that predicted response to treatment. Toxicity was mild and consisted primarily of sedation and xerostomia. This preliminary trial suggests the usefulness of Inhalation marijuana as an antiemetic agent. Because of the lack of a randomized placebo control group, the precise role of this agent is unclear. Further studies should include derivatives of this substance in combination with standard effective drugs to control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
(New York State Journal of Medicine, October 1988; 88: 525 - 527)
From the Don Monti Division of Oncology. Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, and the Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY.
Address correspondence to Dr Vinciguerra, Chief, Division of Oncology/Hematology, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Dr, Manhasset. NY 11030.


For the rest of this article:
http://medmjscience.org/Pages/science/vinciguerra.html