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Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, Lynn Heise

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Legalization of marijuana use will increase the number of people who will become long-term users. A prior medical record review study in Australia, in 2004, identified 19 chronic marijuana users who entered the emergency department with recurrent vomiting associated with abdominal pain. Routine treatment of the nausea and vomiting, associated with the chronic marijuana abuse, with antiemetics is ineffective in patients with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Narcotics do not relieve the abdominal pain but may cause worsening rebound pain. The best treatment of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome was found to be abstinence from the recreational use of marijuana. It is important for …