Metabolic and Morphologic Complications of HIV and HAART


•	Approved for treatment of anorexia and nausea in AIDS wasting
•	Contains tetrahydroncannibinol (THC), an active component of marijuana
•	Increases appetite ratings on a visual analog scale
•	Produces increases in weight (predominantly fat)

1. Beal JE et al.. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1995;10:89-97. 2. Timpone JG et al. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1997;13:305-15.

• Dronabinol has been approved for the treatment of anorexia and nausea in HIV-associated wasting.

• It contains tetrahydroncannibinol, an active component of marijuana, formulated into a tablet.

• Dronabinol produces increases in appetite ratings on a visual analog scale.1

• Although it produces weight gain, this gain is predominantly in the form of fat.2

References:

1. Beal JE, Olson R, Laubenstein L et al. Dronabinol as a treatment for anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1995;10:89-97.

2. Timpone JG, Wright DJ, Li N et al. The safety and pharmacokinetics of single-agent and combination therapy with megestrol acetate and dronabinol for the treatment of HIV wasting syndrome. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1997;13:305-15.