Glossary term

Nabilone: Nabilone is a medicine taken as a capsule that NHS says can be prescribed by a specialist for adults with chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting when other treatments have not helped or are not suitable.

EssentialLicensed medicineSource quality: HighLast updated: 29 June 2026

Why this term matters

It is one of the few cannabis-related medicines named directly in UK public guidance.

UK medical cannabis context

NICE recommends considering nabilone as an add-on treatment for persistent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults.

What not to assume

It should not be generalised to other symptoms beyond its approved context.

Careful wording: Avoid describing nabilone as a general-purpose medical cannabis substitute.

Related glossary terms

Related MCPH pages

Sources and review notes

This entry is educational vocabulary, not medical advice. Suitability, prescribing, product choice and monitoring belong with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.