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The authors tested the effectiveness of orally administered delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as compared to prochlorperazine for the alleviation of symptoms, such as vomiting and nausea, experienced by patients receiving radiotherapy. The test subjects rated the severity of their illness, as well as the extent of their subsequent moods, their level of concentration, their amount of physical activity, and their desire for social interaction. They chose the drug they preferred and recorded its side effects. The use of THC was slightly more beneficial than the use of prochlorperazine.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and prochlorperazine (Compazine) were found to be equally efficacious in reducing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy across a wide range of chemotherapeutic regimens and tumor types. Both drugs were administered orally one hour before chemotherapy, then every four hours for a total of four doses. Compazine was administered in a fixed dose of 10 mg; T H C was administered by body surface area (BSA): BSA < 1.4 m2 = 7.5 mg; BSA 1.4-1.8 m2 = 10 mg; and BSA > 1.8 mz = 12.5 mg. Two hundred and fourteen subjects (75% of whom had previously received Compazine with varying results) were evaluated employing a double-blind, crossover design. Additional parameters evaluated were study drug effects on appetite, food intake, mood, activity, relaxation, interaction, and concentration. There were significant drug effects with T H C less ability to concentrate (P < 0.01), less social interaction (P < 0.05), and less activity (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two drugs in the level of food intake or appetite. Patients of all ages did equally well on both drugs. Neither past marijuana use nor past Compazine use were related to study drug efficacy. Those patients who correctly identified their T H C cycle did better on T H C versus those who could not correctly identify which antiemetic they had received (P < 0.05). There were more drug-related effects associated with THC, but these did not reduce the patients' preference for the drug, and were associated with nausea reduction (P < 0.05).Cancer 50:636-645, 1982.ANCER CHEMOTHERAPY has become the treatment C of choice for many neoplasms since its initial use 25 years ago. Some malignancies can be completely erradicated with appropriate medication and the growth of many others can be retarded. Nonetheless, vomiting and anorexia are frequent side effects of these drugs and often seriously compromise the patient's quality of life. In many cases, this toxicity has caused the patient to abandon treatment altogether.

Neuropsychological variables and urine cannabinoid metabolites were evaluated in ten subjects born, raised, and educated in the United States and having histories of heavy or prolonged use of cannabis. No impairment of cognitive function was found. Cannabinoid metabolites in excess of 50 nanograms per milliliter were present in the ten urine samples. The tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis exceeded 8.0%.

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