Herbal Remedies

Cannabis
What is Cannabis? Cannabis is an herbal medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy medicine. It is also used to decrease eye pressure, decrease pain, and to improve the appetite. Other uses for Cannabis may include headaches, anxiety, asthma, Tourette syndrome, and to relax muscles.

Other names for Cannabis include: Cannabis sativa L, Hashish, Hemp, and Marijuana.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using Cannabis: Tell your doctor if you .

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have liver disease, history of mental illness, or a seizure disorder
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Cannabis you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Cannabis. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

• WARNING: Cannabis is a controlled substance and an illegal street drug in most areas.
• Ask your doctor for the correct dose.

To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions: Do not take Cannabis without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Medicine used for sleep, headache, seizures, or muscle relaxants (examples: amobarbital (Amytal (R)); aprobarbital (Alurate(R)); butabarbital (Butalan(R)); butalbital (Amaphen(R), Esgic(R), Fioricet(R), Fiorinal(R), Fiortal(R), Phrenilin(R), Sedapap(R)); mephobarbital (Mebaral(R)); methohexital (Brevital(R) Sodium); pentobarbital (Nembutal(R)); phenobarbital (Barbita(R), Luminal(R)); secobarbital (Seconal(R)); thiopental (Pentothal(R) Sodium)))
• Medicine for depression (examples: amitriptyline (Amitril(R), Elavil(R)); clomipramine (Anafranil(R)); desipramine (Norpramin(R)); doxepin (Sinequan(R)); imipramine (Tofranil(R)); nortriptyline (Aventyl(R), Pamelor(R)); protriptyline (Vivactil(R)); trimipramine (Surmontil(R)); citalopram (Celexa(R)); fluoxetine (Prozac(R)); fluvoxamine (Luvox(R)); paroxetine (Paxil(R)); sertraline (Zoloft(R)))
• Disulfiram (Antabuse(R))
• Sildenafil (Viagra(R))
• Cocaine
• Ethanol (alcohol)
• Antiviral medicine for HIV and AIDS (protease inhibitors, examples: amprenavir (Agenerase(R)), indinavir (Crixivan(R)), nelfinavir (Viracept(R)), ritonavir (Norvir(R)), saquinavir (Invirase(R)))
• Calamus
• Theophylline

Warnings:

• Before taking Cannabis, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Cannabis should be carefully used if you have abused drugs or have a history of mental illness
• Cannabis should be carefully used if you have heart or blood vessel disease
• Older people taking Cannabis may be more likely to have mood changes than younger people
• You should not drive, operate machinery, or take part in any activity that may cause you to be harmed if you use Cannabis
• Non-pharmaceutical Cannabis may be contaminated with the fungus Aspergillus, which can be harmful to people with immune system problems
• Do not drink alcohol and use Cannabis

Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

* Changes in how you think, blood pressure changes, heart rate changes, dizziness, blurred vision and changes in your vision, sleepiness, dry mouth and eyes, and hallucinations (seeing things)