Clinical experience with levonantradol hydrochloride in the prevention of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Reports suggesting that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) had a potent antiemetic effect in patients treated with cancer chemotherapeutic agents led to the synthesis of other cannabinol derivatives with possibly less side effects. We report here our initial observations with the antiemetic levonantradol in 12 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving cytotoxic polychemotherapy. All patients had a history of vomiting and nausea without successful treatment with standard antiemetic drugs in previous, identical chemotherapy cycles. No other antiemetic or psychoactive drugs were given. Patients received 1 mg levonantradol i.m. 2 hours before as well as 2 and 6 hours after cytotoxic treatment. When compared to the last course of chemotherapy with alternate antiemetic drugs, we found that 11/12 patients had less nausea and vomiting when treated with levonantradol. 8/12 Patients considered the antiemetic treatment with levonantradol better than the one given before. The following side effects were observed: 4 patients complained of pain and local irritation after injection. 2 patients showed a fall in blood pressure, especially orthostatic hypotension. 8 patients complained of sedation and drowsiness. 7 patients experienced psychic side effects, such as decrease of vigilance and reaction, altered sense of timing, body image distortions and even depersonalization. Levonantradol is a potent antiemetic drug but its applicability, especially in outpatients, may be complicated by a high incidence of side effects.