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Nabilone


Mechanism of action:

Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid derivative. Nabilone is an agonist of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2. Cannabinoid receptor 1 is mainly distributed in the brain and spinal cord, where nabilone suppresses the release of excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate and substance P. Cannabinoid receptor 2 is mainly distributed on immune cells, and nabilone's action on cannabinoid receptor 2 reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Reference(s):

1. Cunningham D et al. (1988). A randomized trial of oral nabilone and prochlorperazine compared to intravenous metoclopramide and dexamethasone in the treatment of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin or cisplatin analogues. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 


2. Niiranen A et al. (1987). Antiemetic efficacy of nabilone and dexamethasone: a randomized study of patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. Am J Clin Oncol. 


3. Herman TS et al. (1979). Superiority of nabilone over prochlorperazine as an antiemetic in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. N Engl J Med.

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