ABOUT COURSE
This course offers a deep dive into Dronabinol , a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) used for nausea, vomiting, appetite stimulation and showing promise in improving sleep latency and duration in certain conditions.
The curriculum covers essential topics for prescribers including:
- Indications
- Dosage and Administration
- Mechanism of Action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Warnings
- Drug Interactions
- Contraindications
- Augmentation Strategies
- Recommended Lab Tests
- Therapeutic Levels
- Overdose Management
- Tapering/Withdrawal
- Use in Special Populations –
- Pregnancy,
- Lactation,
- Renal Impairment,
- Hepatic Impairment,
- Cardiac Impairment,
- Elderly,
- Children and Adolescents
- Important pearls based on years of practice.
- This course aims to enhance the clinical skills of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers by providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage Dronabinol therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Dronabinol is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Dronabinol is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Dronabinol.
- Know the dosages of all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for Dronabinol in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Dronabinol correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Dronabinol.
- Understand how Dronabinol works in the brain to treat sleep therapy and other conditions.
- Discuss the impact of Dronabinol on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Dronabinol is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Dronabinol in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Dronabinol.
- Elimination: Understand how Dronabinol is eliminated from the body.
- Half–life: Know the half-life of Dronabinol and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Dronabinol and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Dronabinol due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Dronabinol.
- Understand potential life-threatening side effects and how to manage them.
- Educate patients on what to expect and how to manage side effects.
Contraindications:
- Learn the conditions under which Dronabinol should not be used.
- Understand the reasons why these conditions are contraindicated.
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response:
- Learn about the best augmenting combinations for patients with partial response to Dronabinol.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Dronabinol therapy.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of common augmentation strategies.
Recommended Lab Tests:
- Learn about recommended lab tests for safe and effective monitoring.
- Identify necessary lab tests to monitor patients on Dronabinol.
- Interpret lab results to guide treatment adjustments.
Therapeutic Monitoring:
- Apply strategies for therapeutic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Know about the therapeutic blood levels for Dronabinol.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of Dronabinol overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Dronabinol to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Dronabinol.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Dronabinol to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Dronabinol dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Dronabinol use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Dronabinol based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and
