One of the biggest concerns we encounter about CBD products is how CBD interacts with other medicines and whether it can be used safely.
Because of the nature of chemical compounds, almost every substance, including CBD, interacts with others. Some prescription labels, for example, advise avoiding grapefruit while taking the medicine because it can substantially affect how the body metabolizes it.
This article examines several CBD–drug interactions and discusses important facts every user should know.
Note: More research is needed on CBD's interaction with particular medicines, so findings are not always definitive. Depending on its type, quality and purity, CBD may interact adversely with a medicine. We strongly recommend consulting your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before taking cannabidiol (CBD).
How does CBD interact with other medicines?
CBD interacts with receptors throughout the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) and may reduce or increase the effects of certain prescribed medicines by suppressing cytochrome P450 activity.
Cytochrome P450 is a group of liver enzymes responsible for breaking down drugs and toxins entering the body. CBD can temporarily inhibit their activity, changing how other compounds are metabolized.
CBD and medicines that increase bleeding risk
Research has suggested that CBD and other plant cannabinoids can enhance medicines used to thin blood, such as warfarin, or medicines with a blood-thinning risk, such as ibuprofen.
By slowing their metabolism, CBD maintains the drug's persistence and extends its presence in the body. It can therefore increase and prolong the effects of medicines that raise bleeding risk. Concurrent use should be closely monitored by a medical professional.
CBD and sedatives
Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC can have calming effects through interactions with neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. THC's sedative effects involve drowsiness, while CBD can have calming and alerting effects.
Combined with sedatives, cannabinoids can produce an additive effect, increasing the medicine's effects. Although this interaction has not appeared to cause a direct negative effect in users, CBD's possible effects on sedatives are not fully understood.
For safety, patients are advised to avoid combining CBD and sedatives.
How does CBD affect antiseizure medicines?
Although CBD is known as an effective treatment for epileptic seizures, without medical supervision it can cause problems with antiseizure medication in some cases.
A 1992 study by Lester Bornheim suggests that a low CBD dose will not provide its known antiepileptic benefits, but may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, prolonging clobazam and norclobazam concentrations and potentially resulting in more aggressive seizures.
It is very important to consult a medical professional to establish an appropriate CBD dose for effectively relieving seizures!
CBD and chemotherapy drugs
Correct, precise chemotherapy doses are extremely important in cancer treatment. Too little can be ineffective; too much can cause excessive toxicity.
Many chemotherapy drugs are formulated on the understanding that a certain proportion will be metabolized before taking effect in the body. Introducing CBD can suppress this process, allowing more drug into the bloodstream than intended.
Although CBD has shown potential to relieve cancer-related pain and slow cancer growth, when combined with chemotherapy, the amount and type of cancer medicine must account for CBD's presence.
Comparing CBD and grapefruit
Grapefruit juice interacts with medicines in the same way, by inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes. The difference is that drug labels mention grapefruit juice more often.
Because both can similarly inhibit metabolism, the article advises that medicines carrying a warning against grapefruit juice should also not be taken with CBD.
Ask your doctor about CBD–drug interactions
CBD may offer a wide range of benefits. Like other substances, however, it can interact with others, and awareness of these interactions is extremely important.
For your safety and health, always consult your doctor if considering CBD alongside prescribed medicines!
Wishing you good health.
