CBD and Drug Interactions: Do’s & Don’ts

One of the most popular questions people ask when it comes to CBD aside from its dosage and legality, is its safety and efficacy when taken alongside prescription medications.

Right off the bat, we want to clearly express that the best way to answer this question is to ask your doctor as they know your medical history and other important factors that should be taken into account when answering this question.

A Little Recap

Cannabidiol (CBD), is a molecule found in the cannabis plant that is extracted using varying methods and then combined with a carrier oil with altering concentrations and potencies to create a final product such as CBD oils, syrups, gummies, and more.

CBD products have become a common staple in many households due to its natural ability to support certain health conditions. Medically reviewed studies demonstrate that the most common mechanisms of CBD include that of inflammation, pain, sleep, and anxiety management.

CBD vs. THC

While CBD is not FDA approved, the Farm Bill passed in 2018 states that CBD is legal as long as its THC content is no more than .3% THC. THC and CBD are very different even though they come from the same cannabis plant.

THC is most commonly used recreationally to induce a euphoric effect through the well-known high whereas CBD is used for potential health benefits and is not psychoactive.

The most common side effects of CBD are often mild ranging from sleepiness to dry mouth while most people don’t experience any negative side effects at all. In rare cases though, CBD may cause liver toxicity.

Health Care

Health care services are often focused on treating an issue rather than discovering the root cause of an issue and medications are often prescribed to treat the symptoms. These medications can cause negative side effects as severe as strokes, cardiac problems, and more.

Because CBD works with the brain and is often used by people with chronic health conditions or mental illnesses, the question of ‘what medications should not be taken with CBD?’ often comes up.

Health coverage is not the same for everyone, and most people actually do not have health insurance, thus proper access to health care.
If this is you, please make sure to look for local pro bono clinics, and alternative medicine which is more affordable and accessible in the US.
If you have exhausted all of your options and may need some help with pain and inflammation support, CBD may be an affordable and effective option for you.

How Does CBD Interact with Other Medications?

When taking prescription meds, it is always super important to understand how certain supplements, foods, and other consumables (including CBD) may have potential interactions.

Most, if not all, medications are broken down by the liver and its enzymes. CBD is also broken down and processed by the liver which may leave you asking, ‘how does my medication interact with CBD?’.

Many mind altering prescription meds like SSRIs, benzos, and more may also cause drowsiness, sleepiness, and other sedating effects, so taking CBD on top of that may leave you at risk of strengthening these effects which could be quite uncomfortable.

Taking CBD with certain stimulants, diabetes medications, or heart burn relievers, like adderall and others, can lead to decreased appetite levels or diarrhea.

Because both CBD and medications are broken down in the liver, enzymes may vary in activity leading to different circulating concentrations of certain medications which could heighten or decrease the effects of some drugs.

These types of changes and interactions are different for everyone, so don’t be surprised if your medical professional is unsure how to predict an effect for you.

Penn State was able to perform a study in which they created a list of drugs that should not be taken with certain drugs due to dangerous effects, some of which include common thyroid, blood pressure, and heart medications.

Overall, they found 57 medications which should not be taken with cannabinoids.

As always, make sure to speak to your doctor before purchasing and/or taking CBD to make sure you don’t have any negative experiences. We are also here should you have any more questions.