1. Megestrol Olanzapi
ne
Corticoste
roids
(Dexamet
hasone)
NSAIDs Mirtaza
pine
EPA Marinol
Data Data adequate
for benefit,but
adverse effects
are almost
equal to
benefit
Already
usedin
cancer
treatme
nt for
other
co-
morbidit
ies
Already
usedin
cancer
treatment
for other
co-
morbiditie
s
Needs
more
Data
Already
usedin
cancer
treatme
nt for
other
co-
morbidit
ies
Needs
more
data
Notwell
studied,
but
guideline
recomme
nded
Aes Thrombosis Increase
d
mortalit
y in
older
people
with
dementi
a;
weight
gain
Weight
gain
(mainly
fluid),and
increased
appetite
Bleedin
g,
Thromb
osis
Increase
d
appetite
and
weight
gain
Diarrhea
, N+V,
and
increase
d LFTs
Dose-
related
Euphoria
Palliati
ve
Yes,not used
until have days
to monthsto
live
Yes,not
used
until
have
daysto
months
to live
Yes,not
useduntil
have days
to months
to live
Not
discusse
d in
NCCN
Guideli
nes
Usedin
patients
who
have
months
to years
to live
as well
as days
to
months
to live
Not
discusse
d in
NCCN
Guidelin
es
Yes,not
guideline
recomme
nded
until have
daysto
months
to live,
though
used
oftenin
patients
with
cannabin
oid
history
NCCN
Guideli
ne-
sugges
ted
Yes Yes Yes No Yes Very
briefly
mention
ed,but
not
recomm
ended
Yes

2. Time to Effect 2-4 weeksfor
wt gain
Not
specifie
d
Not
specified
Not
specifie
d
Not
stated
how
longto
take
effectas
appetite
stimulan
t or for
weight
gain
Not
specifie
d
> 24
hoursfor
appetite
stimulatio
n
Otherthings
to note
Anti-
neoplastic;
needhigh
dosesto be
effectivefor
weightgain
Usedfor
AE of
weight
gain;
also
good
because
recomm
ended
for non-
specific
n+v,
delirium
, and
insomni
a in
cancer
patients
Already
usedto
prevent
N+V in
chemothe
rapy;
however,
not really
recomme
ndedfor
use except
for short
periodof
time
Monitor
electrol
ytes;
not a
good
option
for
patient
whois
bleedin
g; may
not hurt
to try
on
patient
whois
already
usingit
Increase
d
suicide
riskin
18-24,
but
decreas
ed
suicide
riskin
>65;
recomm
endedin
NCCN
guidelin
esfor
depressi
on also
Not
specifie
d what
dose
would
be
needed
to help
stimulat
e weight
gain
Usually
usedin
patients
whohave
previous
use of
other
cannabin
oids
Mechanismof
Action
May workby
antagonizing
cytokines
Not
specifie
d
May work
by
antagonizi
ng
inflammat
ory
cytokines;
antiemetic
activity;
may
increase
neuropept
ide Y
levels
May
workby
antagon
izing
inflamm
atory
cytokin
es
Not
specifie
d
May
inhibit
inflamm
atory
cytokine
s
Appetite
effect
mediated
by CB1
receptors