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nabilone vs naltrexone

Side-by-side comparison of nabilone and naltrexone. 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: Use caution when taking these together and report any excessive drowsiness to your healthcare provider.

Drug Class
nabilone Cannabinoid Antiemetic
naltrexone Opioid Antagonist
Type
nabilone Prescription
naltrexone Prescription
Summary
nabilone

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

naltrexone

Naltrexone is a medicine that can help treat alcohol and opioid dependence. It works by blocking the effects of opioids in your body.

What It Treats
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.

naltrexone

Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol dependence and to block the effects of opioid drugs. It is important to use naltrexone as part of a complete treatment plan. This plan should include counseling and support to help you stay sober or opioid-free.

How It Works
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.

naltrexone

Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. This prevents opioids from having their usual effects, like pain relief or feelings of euphoria. By blocking these effects, naltrexone can help reduce cravings for alcohol or opioids.

Common Side Effects
nabilone
  • Drowsiness
  • Vertigo (feeling dizzy)
  • Dry mouth
  • Euphoria (feeling "high")
  • Ataxia (loss of coordination)
naltrexone
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
FAERS Reports
nabilone
  • Pain 473
  • Muscle and joint stiffness 285
  • Trouble sleeping 265
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 265
  • Drug allergy 254
naltrexone
  • Reaction at the injection site 4,407
  • Pain at the injection site 3,111
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,094
  • Alcohol addiction 1,942
  • Lump at the injection site 1,895
Serious Warnings
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.

naltrexone

Naltrexone can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if you are still using opioids. Make sure you are opioid-free for at least 7 to 10 days before starting naltrexone. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, seek medical help right away.

Pregnancy
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.

naltrexone

It is not known if naltrexone is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if naltrexone passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare nabilone with

How to Read This nabilone vs naltrexone Comparison

nabilone is classified in the Cannabinoid Antiemetic drug class, while naltrexone sits within the Opioid Antagonist 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, nabilone has 1,542 submissions while naltrexone has 13,449. 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 these drugs can have a combined effect that slows down your central nervous system, leading to increased sleepiness.. 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 nabilone and naltrexone - 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.