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fluoxetine vs nabilone

Side-by-side comparison of fluoxetine and nabilone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

CONCOMITANT DRUG CLINICAL EFFECT(S) Amphetamines, cocaine, other sympathomimetic agents Additive hypertension, tachycardia, possibly cardiotoxicity Atropine, scopolamine, antihistamines, other anticholinergic agents Additive or super-additive tachycardia, drowsiness Amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, other tricyclic antidepressants Additive tachycardia, hypertension, drowsiness Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol, lithium, opioids, buspirone, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, other CNS depressants Additive drowsiness and CNS depression Disulfiram A reversible hypomanic reaction was...

Recommendation: Monitor yourself for extreme drowsiness and avoid activities like driving until you know how the combination affects you.

Drug Class
fluoxetine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
nabilone Cannabinoid Antiemetic
Type
fluoxetine Prescription
nabilone Prescription
Summary
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a medicine that can help treat depression and other mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

nabilone

Cesamet contains nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid. It helps reduce nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy when other medicines don't work.

What It Treats
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine can treat major depressive disorder in adults and children. It also treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children. Fluoxetine can help with bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and panic disorder. Sometimes, it is used with another medicine called olanzapine to treat depression related to bipolar disorder.

nabilone

Cesamet is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. You should only use it if other anti-nausea medicines have not worked for you. This medicine can change your mental state, so someone should watch over you when you first start taking it and when your dose changes.

How It Works
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluoxetine can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, OCD, and other conditions.

nabilone

Cesamet is a synthetic cannabinoid, similar to the active ingredient in marijuana. It works by affecting the parts of your brain that control nausea and vomiting. This helps to reduce these side effects of chemotherapy.

Common Side Effects
fluoxetine
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Problems ejaculating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling anxious
  • Feeling weak
nabilone
  • Drowsiness
  • Vertigo (feeling dizzy)
  • Dry mouth
  • Euphoria (feeling "high")
  • Ataxia (loss of coordination)
FAERS Reports
fluoxetine
  • The medicine is interacting with another medicine 3,336
  • Harmful effect from different substances 3,316
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 3,233
  • Feeling tired 3,155
  • Death by suicide 2,904
nabilone
  • Pain 473
  • Muscle and joint stiffness 285
  • Trouble sleeping 265
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 265
  • Drug allergy 254
Serious Warnings
fluoxetine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior. Fluoxetine is not approved for use in children younger than 7 years old.

nabilone

Cesamet can change your mental state. It has a high potential for abuse. Your doctor should watch you for signs of overuse or misuse, especially if you have a history of substance abuse or mental illness.

Pregnancy
fluoxetine

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluoxetine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking fluoxetine.

nabilone

The effects of Cesamet during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not well known. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This fluoxetine vs nabilone Comparison

fluoxetine is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug class, while nabilone sits within the Cannabinoid Antiemetic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fluoxetine has 15,944 submissions while nabilone has 1,542. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both of these drugs affect the brain and can cause an increased level of sleepiness when taken at the same time.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between fluoxetine and nabilone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.