Haloperidol Successfully Treated Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in an Outpatient for the First Time
A patient with severe CHS who was unwilling to stop using cannabis achieved complete resolution of nausea and vomiting with the antipsychotic haloperidol, the first reported outpatient CHS treatment success.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is notoriously resistant to standard anti-nausea medications, and the only reliable long-term treatment is stopping cannabis. But many patients are reluctant to quit.
This case describes a patient with severe, treatment-resistant CHS who achieved complete resolution of nausea and vomiting with haloperidol, an older antipsychotic medication. Notably, this success occurred in the outpatient setting rather than the hospital.
The authors believe this is the first reported case of successful outpatient CHS treatment, suggesting that haloperidol could provide relief for patients who refuse to stop cannabis or who need symptom management while working toward cessation.
Key Numbers
Complete resolution of nausea and vomiting with haloperidol. First reported outpatient treatment success. Standard antiemetics (serotonin and dopamine receptor antagonists) had failed.
How They Did This
Single case report describing outpatient treatment of refractory CHS with haloperidol. The patient had failed standard antiemetic therapies.
Why This Research Matters
The current treatment paradigm for CHS essentially offers patients only one option: stop using cannabis. For patients who are unable or unwilling to quit immediately, having a pharmacological bridge like haloperidol could prevent repeated ER visits and reduce suffering during the transition to abstinence.
The Bigger Picture
As CHS becomes more commonly recognized, the need for effective treatments grows. Haloperidol works through a different mechanism than standard antiemetics, which may explain its effectiveness. If confirmed in larger studies, this could change the management approach for CHS.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. No dosing details provided in the abstract. Haloperidol has its own side effect profile including sedation and movement disorders. Long-term use for CHS is not evaluated.
Questions This Raises
- ?What is the mechanism by which haloperidol resolves CHS when standard antiemetics fail?
- ?Would other antipsychotics work similarly?
- ?What is the optimal dose and duration of haloperidol treatment for CHS?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First outpatient CHS treatment success reported using haloperidol
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report providing a novel treatment observation. No statistical evidence or comparison groups.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016. Subsequent studies have further explored haloperidol and other dopamine-acting medications for CHS.
- Original Title:
- Successful Treatment of Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Using Haloperidol in the Outpatient Setting.
- Published In:
- Case reports in psychiatry, 2016, 3614053 (2016)
- Authors:
- Jones, Jennifer L, Abernathy, Karen E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01187
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a medication that works for CHS?
In this case, haloperidol completely resolved CHS symptoms when standard anti-nausea medications had failed. However, this is a single case report, and cannabis cessation remains the definitive treatment.
Why does haloperidol work when other anti-nausea drugs do not?
The mechanism is not fully understood, but haloperidol acts on different receptor pathways than standard antiemetics. Its broader dopamine-blocking activity may address the specific mechanism underlying CHS more effectively.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- cannabis-dependence-physical-psychological-addiction-science
- cannabis-perception-vs-evidence-gap
- cannabis-use-disorder-test
- cross-addiction-quit-weed-start-drinking
- is-weed-addictive
- is-weed-addictive-science
- quitting-weed-and-alcohol
- rehab-for-weed-addiction-necessary
- signs-of-cannabis-use-disorder
- weed-vape-pen-addiction
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01187APA
Jones, Jennifer L; Abernathy, Karen E. (2016). Successful Treatment of Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Using Haloperidol in the Outpatient Setting.. Case reports in psychiatry, 2016, 3614053. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3614053
MLA
Jones, Jennifer L, et al. "Successful Treatment of Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Using Haloperidol in the Outpatient Setting.." Case reports in psychiatry, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3614053
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Successful Treatment of Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Sy..." RTHC-01187. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jones-2016-successful-treatment-of-suspected
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.