Short answer: Dronabinol (Marinol) is synthetic THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, made as an FDA-approved medicine. It treats nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and appetite loss with weight loss in AIDS. Capsules are Schedule III and the oral solution (Syndros) is Schedule II.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Dronabinol is a synthetic cannabinoid (thc) and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US.
- Main uses: Chemotherapy nausea; AIDS appetite loss.
- Timing: effects start in 30 to 60 minutes and last 4 to 6 hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Disulfiram, metronidazole (with Syndros), which can cause reaction to the alcohol in the solution.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Low to moderate.
- Legal route: only with a prescription from a DEA-registered clinician, filled by a licensed pharmacy.
What is dronabinol?
Dronabinol is approved for nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy in people who have not responded to standard anti-nausea medicines, and for appetite loss with weight loss in people with AIDS.
It is chemically identical to the delta-9-THC in cannabis, but in measured doses without the other compounds in the plant. Nabilone (Cesamet) is a related synthetic cannabinoid.
Quick facts
| Fact | Dronabinol |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Dronabinol (synthetic delta-9-THC) |
| Brand names | Marinol (capsules), Syndros (oral solution) |
| Drug class | Cannabinoid |
| US legal status | Capsules Schedule III; oral solution Schedule II |
| Approved uses | Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting; AIDS-related anorexia with weight loss |
| Forms | Capsules in sesame oil; oral solution |
| Onset | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Duration | 4 to 6 hours (appetite effect up to 24 hours) |
| Half-life | 25 to 36 hours (terminal) |
How long does dronabinol last?
- Starts working: 30 to 60 minutes
- Effects last: 4 to 6 hours
- Half-life: 25 to 36 hours (terminal)
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of dronabinol?
Common side effects include feeling high, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, abnormal thinking, paranoia, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Serious risks include psychiatric reactions (mania, psychosis, worsened depression), fainting and fast heartbeat, seizures, and falls in older adults. Syndros contains alcohol and propylene glycol.
What should you never mix with dronabinol?
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol, sedatives, opioids | Additive drowsiness and impairment | Use caution |
| Disulfiram, metronidazole (with Syndros) | Reaction to the alcohol in the solution | Contraindicated |
| Warfarin | May raise warfarin effect | Monitor INR |
| Stimulants and anticholinergic drugs | Fast heartbeat, high blood pressure | Use caution |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a dronabinol overdose, and what should you do?
Too much dronabinol causes strong intoxication, anxiety or panic, paranoia, confusion, fast heartbeat, dizziness on standing, and drowsiness. Fatal overdose from THC alone is very rare, but children are at higher risk.
If someone has taken too much
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, unresponsiveness, or if a child may have eaten a cannabis product.
- For an adult who is awake but anxious or sick, move them to a calm place and stay with them. Symptoms usually ease over several hours.
- Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for advice, including for any child or pet exposure.
- Do not drive. Edibles can keep building for hours after they are eaten.
What is dronabinol withdrawal like, and how long does it last?
Stopping dronabinol after regular high-dose use can cause mild withdrawal, similar to cannabis withdrawal.
- Days 1 to 3Symptoms beginIrritability, trouble sleeping, restlessness.
- Days 3 to 7PeakVivid dreams, low appetite, anxiety, sweating.
- 1 to 2 weeksResolvesSleep and mood return to normal.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full dronabinol withdrawal guide.
Is dronabinol legal?
In the United States, dronabinol is a Schedule III controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
- Refills: a Schedule III prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not licensed; nabilone and Sativex used instead |
| Canada | Prescription medicine (nabilone more common) |
| Australia | Schedule 8 controlled drug |
| International | Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances |
Frequently asked questions about dronabinol
Is dronabinol the same as marijuana?
It is synthetic THC, the main active compound in cannabis, but it is an FDA-approved medicine with measured doses.
Will dronabinol make me fail a drug test?
Yes. It is THC, so tests for cannabis will be positive. Keep documentation of your prescription.
Does dronabinol get you high?
It can, especially at higher doses. Many people feel mild euphoria, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Why are Marinol and Syndros in different schedules?
Marinol capsules were moved to Schedule III in 1999. Syndros, a liquid approved in 2016, was placed in Schedule II.
Sources
- Marinol (dronabinol) prescribing information, DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Dronabinol profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
