Marijuana to prevent nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: a survey of clinical oncologists.
Marijuana, if rescheduled by the Drug Enforcement Agency, would be the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug to be administered by smoking. American physicians need timely, factual information about probable usage patterns and potential adverse effects of medical marijuana, and a factual complete review of the literature on the subject. We mailed a survey to 1,500 American clinical oncologists. Of particular interest was whether and how often in the past 24 months these physicians recommended smoked marijuana, synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol, or 5-HT3 (serotonin) antagonists (ondansetron [Zofran], granisetron [Kytril]) for their patients. We also inquired whether and how often the oncologists would prescribe marijuana in the form of cigarettes, were it to be FDA-approved. Completed surveys were received from 1,122 (75%) of the oncologists. The percentages of oncologists who prescribed or recommended selected antiemetics more than five times between 1992 and 1994 were 98% for 5-HT, antagonists, 6% for dronabinol (Marinol), and 1% for smoked marijuana. We also found that 332 (30%) of the oncologist-respondents to this nationwide survey supported rescheduling of marijuana for medical purposes; however, two thirds (67%) of the 332 respondents who were in favor of rescheduling estimated that they would write less than one prescription per month for marijuana cigarettes. A comprehensive literature review failed to provide persuasive evidence to recommend marijuana as a needed antiemetic medicine.
Schwartz
R H
RH
Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
Voth
E A
EA
Sheridan
M J
MJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D012702:Serotonin Antagonists