A 21-year-old with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome was successfully treated with dronabinol (synthetic THC) after haloperidol worsened her symptoms.
Emergency physicians, gastroenterologists, and clinicians managing CHS.
Complete resolutionof CHS symptoms with dronabinol after haloperidol worsened the patient condition
What the researchers found
A single dose of dronabinol led to significant symptom improvement after haloperidol caused agitation and worsening symptoms. Subsequent dronabinol doses resulted in complete resolution of CHS symptoms.
Why it matters
This paradoxical treatment — using a cannabinoid to treat a syndrome caused by cannabinoids — may offer a novel approach for acute CHS management when other treatments fail.
The numbers in context
21-year-old female with chronic cannabis use. Haloperidol caused worsening agitation. One dose of dronabinol produced significant improvement. Complete resolution with subsequent doses.
How the study worked
Case report with detailed clinical timeline of presentation, failed treatments, and successful dronabinol administration.
Who was studied
Single 21-year-old female with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and chronic cannabis use history.
What this study cannot tell us
Single case report cannot establish treatment efficacy. Spontaneous resolution cannot be ruled out. No long-term follow-up. Mechanism of action unclear.
How to read the evidence
Single case report; lowest level of evidence but notable for paradoxical treatment success.
When this study was published
Recent case report reflecting rising CHS incidence with cannabis legalization.
The bigger picture
As CHS cases rise with cannabis legalization, novel treatment approaches are needed. The paradox of treating a cannabinoid-induced syndrome with a synthetic cannabinoid challenges conventional thinking and warrants further investigation.
Replication
Single case; controlled studies needed to validate dronabinol for CHS.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- How does dronabinol relieve CHS when cannabis causes it?
- Could dronabinol become a standard acute CHS treatment?
Read the original research
Cannabinoid-Associated Hyperemesis Syndrome Treated With Dronabinol: Killing a Poison With the Poison.
Cureus, 15(11), e49629
Citation
Hussain, Azhar; Kc, Sistu; Sapna, Fnu. (2023). Cannabinoid-Associated Hyperemesis Syndrome Treated With Dronabinol: Killing a Poison With the Poison.. Cureus, 15(11), e49629. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49629