Table 3 Adverse events during treatment with dronabinol and placebo. Values are numbers (percentages) of patients with adverse event, number of adverse events


Adverse events

Dronabinol (n=24)

Placebo (n=24)

Central nervous system

19 (79), 61

8 (33), 20

Dizziness or lightheadedness

14 (58)*, 26

4 (17), 5

Tiredness or drowsiness

10 (42), 12

6 (25), 10

Fatigue

1 (4), 2

0 (0), 0

Balance difficulty

2 (8), 2

0 (0), 0

Headache

6 (25), 10

1 (4), 1

Migraine

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Speech disorders

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Feeling of drunkenness

2 (8), 5

0 (0), 0

Sleep difficulty

1 (4), 1

2 (8), 2

Multiple sclerosis aggravated

1 (4), 1

2 (8), 2

Musculoskeletal system

9 (38), 13

2 (8), 2

Myalgia

6 (25), 7

1 (4), 1

Muscle weakness

3 (13), 3

1 (4), 1

Limb heaviness

1 (4), 2

0 (0), 0

Distortion of wrist

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Gastrointestinal disorders

5 (21), 7

4 (17), 8

Mouth dryness

3 (13), 3

0 (0), 0

Nausea

3 (13), 4

4 (17), 5

Abdominal pain

0 (0), 0

1 (4), 3

Cardiovascular disorders

4 (17), 8

2 (8), 4

Palpitations

4 (17), 8

2 (8), 4

Psychiatric disorders

3 (13), 4

1 (4), 1

Euphoria

3 (13), 3

0 (0), 0

Hyperactivity

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Nervousness

0 (0), 0

1 (4), 1

Endocrine disorders

1 (4), 2

0 (0), 0

Hot flushes

1 (4), 2

0 (0), 0

Vision disorders

0 (0), 0

1 (4), 1

Diplopia

0 (0), 0

1 (4), 1

Whole body

4 (17), 5

2 (8), 2

Anorexia

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Weight decrease

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Fever

0 (0), 0

1 (4), 1

Chills

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Upper airway infection

1 (4), 1

1 (4), 1

Tenderness in nose

1 (4), 1

0 (0), 0

Total

23 (96)**, 100

11 (46), 38

Adverse event in first treatment week

21 (88)**{dagger}, 50

8 (33), 23

Adverse event in last treatment week

10 (42), 15

5 (21), 7

Severe adverse event

3 (13), 3

1 (4), 1

* P<0.05 versus placebo.

** P<0.01 versus placebo (Mainland-Gart test).

{dagger} P<0.01 versus last week of treatment (McNemar test).