CBD Drug Interactions
Cannabidiol is a safe, non-intoxicating, and non-addictive cannabis compound with significant therapeutic attributes, but CBD -drug interactions may be problematic in some cases. CBD and other plant cannabinoids can potentially interact with many pharmaceuticals by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P , a family of liver enzymes. This key enzyme group metabolizes most of the drugs we consume, including more than 60 percent of marketed meds. At sufficient dosages, CBD will temporarily deactivate cytochrome P enzymes, thereby altering how we metabolize a wide range of compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol THC , which causes the high that cannabis is famous for. When THC or any other foreign compound enters the body, it is metabolized. This process is generally very complicated.
CBD drug interactions: Is CBD safe to take with prescription medications?
It has made its way into our shampoos and lotions. There are CBD-infused smoothies, bath bombs and beer. There are even holiday treats looking at you, CBD jelly beans.
But while CBD has been advertised as an effective way to treat a wide mix of maladies, the compound is still largely unregulated and unstudied.
Still, Hurd suspects the substance could very well negatively interact with most medications that are taken orally.
Other experts seem to agree. Nearly 60 percent of the medications on the market are metabolized through a set of liver enzymes — called cytochrome P, or CYP — that are, coincidentally, the same enzymes that break down CBD, Henry explained.
This means that if you take CBD while on another medication, it could block these critical enzymes, allowing more of the medication to get into your system. The same goes for benzodiazepines or benzos like Xanax or Ativan, which are used to treat anxiety. If CBD is taken in conjunction with one of these drugs, it could increase the side effects and potentially cause you to feel more sedated or drowsy. In some rare cases, the drug combo may become toxic or even interfere with your respiratory system, according to Henry.
You may have heard of the grapefruit rule , which suggests that the citrus fruit can impair how your body absorbs certain drugs — mainly cholesterol medications, blood pressure drugs and allergy pills. According to Henry, grapefruit inhibits the same set of liver enzymes that CBD blocks. So, like CBD, grapefruit juice can boost levels of other medications in your blood. The timing of when you take both the CBD and any other medications can also be a factor in how the drugs may interact in your body.
In other words, the risk of having a serious drug interaction may be lower if you take your medications and CBD at different times of the day. Finally, everyone responds to drugs differently. Some people may be very sensitive to a particular substance, while others may have little to no reaction. The way you use CBD — whether orally, sublingually or topically — also contributes to the interaction with medication.
It all boils down to how much of the substance makes its way to the bloodstream, which varies based on the method. When ingested, CBD has to go through the gastrointestinal system, which reduces some of the absorption in the bloodstream before it makes its way to the liver where those very important enzymes are. The least potent route is through the skin. The amount of CBD your body absorbs and sends to the bloodstream through the skin is likely negligible, according to Henry.
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Studies have shown that CBD and other plant cannabinoids can increase the effects of drugs used for blood-thinning (e.g. warfarin) or drugs with. Cannabidiol (CBD): learn about effectiveness, usual dosage, and drug interactions on MedlinePlus.
To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology. Cannabidiol CBD. What is it? How effective is it?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of over a different types of a specific kind of compound called phytocannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD is has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its wide range of therapeutic effects as well as its ability to relieve a host of symptoms effectively , but also to do so safely and with few side effects.
Show all medications in the database that may interact with cannabis. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
Drugs that May Interact with CBD Oil
Some of these conditions are physical, such as one study published in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management which indicates that this hemp oil extract can offer pain relief for those struggling with major medical conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripheral neuropathic pain, and it does it with minimal side effects. Other users find that the cannabinoids within CBD products help ease mental health conditions. For instance, a case series in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine shares that CBD has been found helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , one of which is frequent nightmares. The reason for this is because it could create potential interactions. When talking about CBD drug interactions, MedlinePlus says that these can be broken down into two basic categories. The two drugs that should never be taken with CBD oils or other CBD dietary supplements are clobazam and valproic acid.
CBD-Drug Interactions: Role of Cytochrome P450
Prescribed drugs are commonplace in modern society, and the acceptance of cannabis is on the rise. Cannabinoids are the primary group of compounds in cannabis that provide rich health benefits. These cannabinoids interact to create a therapeutic synergy in the human body. This is called the entourage effect and takes place in the ECS endocannabinoid system , promoting a sense of balance and wellbeing. Some people have learned that CBD is a useful addition to their daily medicines, even working in combination with other prescribed solutions. These enzymes are involved in metabolizing over 60 percent of all pharmaceuticals. Cannabinoids can inhibit or induce a CYP enzyme, effectively altering the way your body processes drugs metabolized by those enzymes. If the cannabinoid induces a CYP enzyme, it will shorten the lifespan of the second drug due to more of that enzyme being made.
It has made its way into our shampoos and lotions. There are CBD-infused smoothies, bath bombs and beer.
CBD oil interacts with certain prescription medications, which is why you should always consult your doctor before using cannabidiol. Research has begun to demonstrate that cannabidiol CBD has the potential to effectively help a large number of people. CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a way that produces very few unintended side-effects. One of these risks is the inhibition of the cytochrome P enzyme system.
What Drugs Should Not Be Taken with CBD?
CBD inhibits the cytochrome P enzyme, which is involved in metabolizing many drugs. Compounds in grapefruit inhibit the same enzyme group, which is why physicians advice patients not to eat grapefruit shortly before or after taking a medication. By inhibiting cytochrome P , CBD can either reduce or increase the effects of other drugs. In compiling a list of conditions that CBD may help, we examined hundreds of peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals. Skip to main content. Does CBD interact with other medications? Do chemical pollutants wreak havoc by impairing the endocannabinoid system? Satchmo Visits Africa. The Many Gifts of Cultivating Cannabis. A Victory Garden for Healing. Women Pioneers in Cannabinoid Science. Synthetic Cannabinoids: Dangerous for Diabetics? See all news. Top Conditions In compiling a list of conditions that CBD may help, we examined hundreds of peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals. Pick a medical condition
CBD May Possibly Interfere With Your Daily Medication
Oil, chocolate, supplements, even carbonated beverages, are filling up shelves—enticing shoppers with claims that using one of these products will cure insomnia, alleviate anxiety, reduce inflammation, or treat PTSD. But what exactly is CBD, and is it safe for people who are using prescription medications? CBD is really just a molecule within the hemp variety of the cannabis plant, and there is at least some anecdotal evidence and preliminary research suggesting that the extraction created from this molecule has some health benefits. CBD is thought to act on certain receptors in your brain and other parts of the body, in ways that could relieve pain, or help certain health conditions, like childhood seizure disorders. For some people, particularly those taking certain prescription medications, using CBD is risky. It has anticoagulant effects that can thin blood; it can also modestly lower blood pressure. These effects could be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.
