So, the DEA continues to say that “marijuana” has no known medical uses. Tell them it’s Cannabis we are discussing, does that change the playing field? The fact that Cannabinoids have been made synthetically to treat chemo side effects is about enough to make me angry. The FDA will promote a copy of it that is not near as good for you or as effective … but there is no medical use according to the DEA.
Marinol has been out for years, and now Cesamet, aka nabilone, has been out for a few short years. From their patient resources page, I learned, “Cesamet is a medicine for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It is used when other drugs have not been able to control these symptoms. The scientific name of Cesamet is nabilone.” What I really like is the side effects, which reads, “In scientific studies, most patients who took Cesamet had at least one side effect. The most common side effects were sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, a “high” feeling, an uncoordinated feeling, a headache, and problems concentrating.”
Have you read the side effects for most medications? Zophran, for example: “Adverse Reactions:Diarrhea, headache, fever, constipation, abdominal pain, weakness, rash, transient blindness; rare: angina, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, seizures, ECG changes (including QT prolongation).” Anzemet is another drug used for chemo induced nausea and vomiting. Information on it includes: “Warnings/Precautions:Increased risk of developing QTc, PR and QRS interval prolongation. Avoid in patients with congenital QT syndrome, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, complete heart block or risk of (unless paced). Correct electrolyte imbalances prior to therapy. Monitor ECG periodically. CHF. Bradycardia. Pre-existing conduction abnormalities and underlying structural heart disease. Sick sinus syndrome. Atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response. Recent MI. Renal impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.B). Nursing mothers.”
“Interactions:Caution with drugs which can prolong ECG intervals (eg, verapamil, flecainide, quinidine), diuretics, and with cumulative high-dose anthracycline therapy. Potentiated by cimetidine, atenolol (IV dolasetron). Antagonized by rifampin.”
“Adverse Reactions:Headache, dizziness, pain, fatigue, diarrhea, bradycardia, tachycardia, ECG changes, 2nd or 3rd-degree AV block.”
When are we all going to stand together and put an end to this insanity? I don’t care if you use Cannabis or not … but know that we are being led to slaughter with the chemicals that are being put in our food, air, and soil. And then to hasten our demise, they tell you chemo and radiation is what you need to treat that condition with, and that you can’t have the Cannabis that you actually need. Go figure.