Glossary · Medicines and conditions

What is a nabilone?

Nabilone

A synthetic cannabinoid (not plant-derived) licensed in the UK for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that has not responded to standard antiemetics. Available through oncology services.

Where you will see it

In the guides to NHS funding.

NHS and private

Related terms

  • CINV (Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting)

    Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. A well-evidenced indication for cannabinoid medicines including nabilone.

  • Dravet Syndrome

    A severe form of epilepsy beginning in infancy, associated with frequent and prolonged seizures. Epidyolex (CBD oral solution) is NICE-approved and NHS-funded for this condition.

  • Epidyolex

    A pharmaceutical-grade CBD oral solution. The only fully licensed cannabis-based medicine in the UK with NICE approval. Indicated for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients aged 2 and above. NHS-funded.

  • Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)

    A severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy characterised by multiple seizure types and intellectual disability. Epidyolex is NICE-approved and NHS-funded for this condition.

  • Licensed Medicine

    A medicine that has received a Marketing Authorisation from the MHRA following full clinical trials. Epidyolex, Sativex, and Nabilone are the only licensed cannabis-based medicines in the UK. Most CBPMs are prescribed as 'unlicensed specials'.

This is a plain-language definition for general understanding, not medical or legal advice.

All 101 terms