Does CBD Interact with Medications?

CBD is a cannabinoid that has been getting more and more attention in the medical world. It has shown to be an effective treatment for many conditions, and can even replace addictive opioids as a painkiller. Despite this, there are still some questions about CBD’s interaction with medication. In this blog post, we will answer some common questions about CBD usage alongside medications to help you make informed decisions!

Cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound found in cannabis and hemp, has received worldwide attention for its ability to alleviate insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and a variety of other health issues.

While CBD’s effectiveness is still being researched, many people are taking it to see if it works.

CBD is considered quite safe and has few or no side effects. CBD does, however, have the ability to interact with certain drugs. The issue revolves around how the body handles specific chemicals.

Before you start taking CBD, it’s critical to talk to your doctor about all of the vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking. Here’s a closer look at why having the talk is so vital.

Drug metabolism and CYP450 enzymes

When you take medicine or other substances, your body must break it down. The body must metabolize every medication and other substance. Drug metabolism takes place throughout the entire body, however the liver does an important portion of the work.

The important role of the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes, known as Trusted Source, is to change foreign chemicals so they may be readily eliminated from the body.

Some medicines or chemicals, on the other hand, alter CYP450 activity by slowing or increasing drug metabolism. Because of the altered metabolic rate, your body may no longer process the medications or supplements you take in the same way — as a result of a drug interaction.

Why does CYP450 matter when it comes to CBD and medications?

CYP450 enzymes are responsible for metabolizing more than 60% of all medications. When you take medication, the CYP450 enzyme in your liver breaks it down into pieces so that it can be eliminated from your body.

Since CBD influences the activity of these enzymes, it’s possible that CBD could change how quickly your body eliminates some medications. This means that the dose of medication you take may not be effective, and could potentially cause harmful side effects.

Trying CBD safely while taking medications

To reduce the risk of a drug interaction, doctors recommend that you start off with a small amount of CBD and increase your intake slowly over time. In addition, consider using only one cannabinoid at a time instead of multiple cannabinoids together.

This allows your body to adjust between medications or supplements more easily without being overwhelmed by too many chemicals in the system.

It’s also important to note that drug interactions are more likely when using CBD in concentrated forms. To avoid this, use a dose of 15-25mg per day instead of one over 50mg. This reduces the risk of potential harmful side effects.

CBD can be an effective way to reduce chronic pain or treat anxiety and insomnia without the high of marijuana. It’s important to talk with your doctor before starting any new supplements or medications, including CBD products.

It is also recommended that you purchase cbd oil form a reputable company to ensure there are no side effects for the user. 

By taking these precautions, you can safely use cbd alongside medications to see if it alleviates your medical conditions without risk of harmful side effects.

Potential drug interactions

Look for the grapefruit warning

Despite the fact that further research is required to identify potential interactions between CBD and particular medicines, there is one guideline of thumb available: Avoid CBD if your medications have a grapefruit warning on the label.

Because this message warns that individuals who use the drug should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, taking grapefruit while on one of these drugs may cause a greater level of the drug in the circulation and possible adverse effects or even an overdose.

Grapefruit interacts with more than 85 medications, and certain citrus fruits similar to Seville oranges, pomelos, and tangelos. That’s because furanocoumarins in grapefruit act as a CYP3A4 inhibitor, similarly to CBD. As a result of this inhibition, the metabolism of medicines is slowed.

Types of medications that commonly have a grapefruit warning

There are a number of types of medications that commonly have the grapefruit warning, such as:

• Statins (for high cholesterol)
• Calcium channel blockers (to regulate blood pressure)
• Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs
• Antibiotics
• Blood thinners
• Cholesterol medications
• Medications used for heart conditions like heartburn or GERD.
• Pain medications
• Prostate medications, etc.

Current research on interactions between CBD and medications

Researchers are conducting studies to learn the precise interactions between CBD and other drugs. For certain medicines, researchers have conducted experiments on animals, but in many situations, scientists are still trying to figure out how those findings translate to people.

Only a few small clinical trials have been done. For example, in one study of 25 children with difficult-to-treat epilepsy, 13 were given both clobazam and CBD. Researchers discovered high amounts of the clobazam in these children. They found that combining CBD and clobazam is safe, but they recommend monitoring during the treatment.

In a study of liver transplant patients, 52% of participants were taking medications that has the potential to interact with CBD. The most common interactions were with anti-rejection drugs (76%), followed by cardiovascular drugs (23%) and narcotic pain medications (15%). However, this study was small and did not prove that CBD actually caused any drug interactions.

A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looked at whether CBD inhibits CYP450 enzymes, which are responsible for metabolizing many medications. The study found that CBD did not inhibit any of the six enzymes tested. However, this study was also small and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Safety and side effects 

Though it is still being researched, CBD appears to be safe and there have not been any significant side effects reported. The most common side effect of CBD is tiredness. Other potential side effects include diarrhea and changes in weight or appetite.

When purchasing cbd oil, always look for products that are lab tested. This will ensure that cbd products are free of pesticides, toxic solvents and other potentially harmful ingredients.

Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to suggest a high-quality CBD product that meets your needs. With a little study and knowledge, you can discover reputable goods that contain CBD.

Shop Award-Winning CBD, immunity, and wellness products at the Califia Gold website!