nabilone
Brand names: Cesamet
Cesamet contains nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid. It helps reduce nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy when other medicines don't work.
What it does
Cesamet is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.
Common side effects
Drowsiness, Vertigo (feeling dizzy), Dry mouth
Key warnings
Cesamet can change your mental state.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
The usual adult dose is 1 or 2 mg, taken two times a day. On the day of chemotherapy, take your first dose 1 to 3 hours before your chemotherapy. You may also take 1 or 2 mg the night before chemotherapy. Do not take more than 6 mg in a day, split into three doses.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Cesamet capsules at room temperature (between 59° to 86°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,948 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,963 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,963
Death-Related Reports
102
Hospitalization Reports
782
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAIN | 473 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 360 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 349 |
| 4 | MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS | 285 |
| 5 | INSOMNIA | 265 |
| 6 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | 265 |
| 7 | DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY | 254 |
| 8 | GAIT DISTURBANCE | 244 |
| 9 | NAUSEA | 230 |
| 10 | FATIGUE | 222 |
| 11 | ARTHRALGIA | 220 |
| 12 | DIARRHOEA | 193 |
| 13 | WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT ABNORMAL | 193 |
| 14 | HEADACHE | 177 |
| 15 | MALAISE | 177 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
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 r...
Mechanism: Both of these drugs affect the brain and can cause an increased level of sleepiness when taken at the same time.
What to do: Monitor yourself for extreme drowsiness and avoid activities like driving until you know how the combination affects you.
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 r...
Mechanism: These medications both slow down the central nervous system, which can lead to a combined effect of increased tiredness or dizziness.
What to do: Use caution when taking these together and tell your doctor if you feel unusually sleepy or lightheaded.
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 r...
Mechanism: Using these drugs together can cause a combined increase in your heart rate and blood pressure, along with extra sleepiness.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart and blood pressure closely while you are using this combination.
Drug Interactions Potential interactions between Cesamet 2 mg, and diazepam 5 mg; sodium secobarbital 100 mg; alcohol 45 mL (absolute laboratory alcohol); or codeine 65 mg, were evaluated in 15 subjects. Psychomotor function was particularly impaired with concurrent use of diazepam.
Mechanism: Both drugs slow down the brain and body, which can lead to a combined effect that makes it much harder to move or think clearly.
What to do: Be very careful when performing tasks that require focus, like driving, because this combination can cause severe impairment.
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 r...
Mechanism: These medications both act on the brain to cause sleepiness, and taking them together increases this effect.
What to do: Monitor yourself for extreme tiredness or confusion and talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Common Questions
Can I use Cesamet for nausea from other causes?
Can I drive while taking Cesamet?
Can I drink alcohol while taking Cesamet?
How long will Cesamet stay in my system?
Is Cesamet addictive?
Can I take Cesamet with other medications?
What should I do if I feel anxious or paranoid while taking Cesamet?
How quickly does Cesamet work?
Can I take Cesamet as needed?
What do the numbers on the capsule mean?
What are the common side effects of nabilone?
Does nabilone interact with other medications?
What drug class is nabilone?
Is nabilone safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Cannabinoid Antiemetic
Other drugs grouped near nabilone — same-class peers and common alternatives.
alosetron
Lotronex
Alosetron (Lotronex) is a medicine for women with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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aprepitant
Emend
Aprepitant (Emend) is a medicine that helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
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bisacodyl
Dulcolax
Bisacodyl is a medicine that helps you have a bowel movement.
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bismuth subsalicylate
Pepto-Bismol
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is a medicine that can treat diarrhea and upset stomach.
Compare with nabilone →
cimetidine
Tagamet
Cimetidine (Tagamet) reduces stomach acid.
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What the FDA Data Shows for nabilone
The FDA label for nabilone (sold under brand names such as Cesamet) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Cannabinoid Antiemetic class. Cesamet is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Drowsiness, Vertigo (feeling dizzy), Dry mouth.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,948 voluntary reports. The database also lists 11 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 19, 2021
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages