Dronabinol vs. Nabilone: Drugs Made From Marijuana

In 1985, the FDA approved two similar drugs based on the marijuana cannabinoid THC: dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet). Both are prescribed to increase appetite, decrease nausea and vomiting, and manage pain.

Dronabinol (Marinol)

Dronabinol is actually an extract derived from natural cannabis resin. This means the THC found in dronabinol is no different from the THC found in natural cannabis. It also means that dronabinol carries with it the same mood and perceptual changes associated with the THC found in cannabis.

Nabilone (Cesamet)

Unlike dronabinol, Nabilone does not come from a cannabis source. Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that is structurally similar to THC, but it is not THC. As such it has more predictable results, eliminating or greatly reducing the euphoria THC may induce.