Your Patients Need Marinol — Here's How to Help Them Get It

When you prescribe Dronabinol for a patient with chemotherapy-induced nausea or AIDS-related anorexia, you expect them to be able to fill it. But in 2026, that expectation doesn't always match reality. Patients are calling back to report empty shelves, backorders, and pharmacy staff who can't tell them when the medication will arrive.

As a provider, you're in a unique position to help. This guide outlines five concrete steps you and your clinical team can take to improve your patients' chances of accessing Dronabinol, along with workflow tips to make the process efficient.

Current Availability: What You Need to Know

Dronabinol (brand name Marinol) is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of early 2026. However, real-world availability is inconsistent:

• Retail chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) frequently report stock-outs, particularly for brand-name Marinol
• Generic Dronabinol is more widely available but still experiences intermittent gaps
• Specialty pharmacies serving oncology and HIV populations maintain the most reliable supply
• Syndros (oral solution) is available at specialty pharmacies but carries Schedule II restrictions and contains alcohol

The root causes include DEA production quotas on this Schedule III controlled substance, a limited number of generic manufacturers, and conservative ordering by retail pharmacies that don't regularly dispense the medication.

For more clinical background, see our provider briefing on the Marinol shortage.

Why Patients Can't Find Marinol

Understanding the barriers your patients face can help you intervene more effectively:

They're Only Trying One Pharmacy

Most patients go to the same pharmacy for everything. When that pharmacy doesn't have Dronabinol, many don't know to try elsewhere — or they feel overwhelmed by the prospect of calling multiple locations.

They Don't Know About Generic Options

Some patients specifically ask for "Marinol" and don't realize that generic Dronabinol is the same medication. Others may have been told that brand-name was required when it wasn't.

They Wait Too Long to Refill

Patients on chronic Dronabinol therapy sometimes wait until their last dose to request a refill. With a controlled substance that may not be readily available, this leaves no buffer for delays.

Cost Creates a Secondary Barrier

Even when a pharmacy has stock, patients paying out of pocket face prices of $300-$800 for brand Marinol or ~$380 for generic without coupons. Some abandon the fill entirely. Generic with a discount coupon can be as low as $58, but patients may not know this.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Check Availability Before Prescribing

Use Medfinder for Providers to check which pharmacies near your patient currently have Dronabinol in stock. This takes under a minute and can save your patient hours of phone calls. Send the prescription to a pharmacy you've confirmed has stock rather than their default pharmacy.

Step 2: Prescribe Generic Dronabinol by Default

Unless there's a clinical reason for brand-name Marinol (e.g., sesame oil formulation tolerance), prescribe generic Dronabinol and ensure "Dispense as Written" is not checked. Generic has broader availability and significantly lower cost. If writing for brand, always allow generic substitution.

Step 3: Recommend Specialty and Independent Pharmacies

Build a short list of specialty pharmacies in your area that reliably stock Dronabinol. Oncology pharmacies, HIV/AIDS specialty pharmacies, and independent pharmacies with established controlled substance inventories are your best referral targets. Share this list with patients at the point of prescribing.

Step 4: Set Up Proactive Refill Timelines

Educate patients to request refills 7-10 days before they run out. For patients on chronic therapy, consider noting this in the after-visit summary or having clinical staff follow up. Since Schedule III prescriptions allow up to 5 refills in 6 months, timely refill requests can prevent gaps in therapy.

Step 5: Have an Alternative Plan Ready

For every patient on Dronabinol, have a documented backup plan in case the medication becomes unavailable:

• For CINV: Nabilone (Cesamet) 1-2 mg BID, or Ondansetron (Zofran) 4-8 mg as needed
• For AIDS-related anorexia: Megestrol Acetate (Megace) 800 mg/day oral suspension
• Bridge option: Syndros (dronabinol oral solution) if capsules are unavailable — note Schedule II requirements

Having alternatives pre-identified means you can switch quickly when a patient reports a stock-out, minimizing treatment gaps.

Alternatives at a Glance

Here's a quick reference for the main Dronabinol alternatives:

• Nabilone (Cesamet): Synthetic cannabinoid, Schedule II. FDA-approved for CINV. Most similar mechanism to Dronabinol. May also have limited availability.
• Ondansetron (Zofran): 5-HT3 antagonist. First-line antiemetic. Widely available, not controlled, very affordable (generic under $15/month).
• Megestrol Acetate (Megace): Progestational agent. FDA-approved for AIDS cachexia. Not controlled. Risk of thromboembolism and adrenal insufficiency.
• Mirtazapine: Off-label appetite stimulant. Widely available, affordable. Useful as adjunctive therapy.

For a detailed comparison, see our article on alternatives to Marinol.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Integrate Availability Checks

Add a pharmacy availability check to your prescribing workflow for Dronabinol and other medications with known supply issues. Bookmark Medfinder for Providers on your clinic workstations so staff can quickly verify stock before the patient leaves.

Create a Standard Communication Template

Prepare a brief patient handout or after-visit summary note that covers:

• What to do if the pharmacy doesn't have Dronabinol
• That generic Dronabinol is the same medication
• How to use Medfinder to find alternative pharmacies
• When to call the clinic for help or an alternative prescription

Track Prior Authorization Requirements

Maintain a quick-reference list of common payer PA requirements for Dronabinol. Most plans require documentation of failed conventional antiemetic therapy for the CINV indication. Having standard PA language and supporting documentation ready can reduce approval turnaround from weeks to days.

Coordinate With Your Pharmacy Partners

If you regularly prescribe Dronabinol, establish a relationship with one or two pharmacies that reliably stock it. Some specialty pharmacies will proactively notify prescribers when supply becomes limited, giving you time to adjust.

Final Thoughts

Helping patients access Dronabinol in 2026 requires a more active role from prescribers than most medications demand. By checking availability before prescribing, defaulting to generic, building pharmacy relationships, and maintaining backup plans, you can significantly reduce the treatment gaps your patients experience.

Medfinder for Providers is designed to make this process faster and easier. For more on the supply situation, read our clinical briefing on the Marinol shortage. For patient cost barriers, see our provider's guide to helping patients save on Marinol.