Item: Leafwell
Rating: 5
Author: Aaron Belcher

Discover what medical marijuana can do for you

Learn what existing science says about cannabis

Stay legal with our guide to cannabis laws

Medical Cannabis

Easily discover what and how medical marijuana can help you or a family member.

How can cannabis help me?

Join a Study

Participate in cannabis research so that together, we can increase access to cannabis.

Want to join a study?

The science behind cannabis as medicine

The ins and outs of getting a medical card

Strains, grows, and the power of plant medicine

The latest news from the cannabis industry

Guides for choosing the best cannabis products

Live better with medical cannabis

See stories

Discover how cannabis can help people live better

Patient Stories

Join Leafwell’s partner program

Join and boost your earnings

Help us gather meaningful, connected data

<p>Talk about EASY!! The whole process took 15 minutes, including the call with the Doctor!!! Amazing!</p>


<p>Me encanta lo f&aacute;cil que nos lo ponen. No se necesita mucho tiempo ni esfuerzo y ahora ya puedo ir a cualquier tienda que quiera.</p>


Subscribe

<p>There are <a href="https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/cannabidiol-index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">562 drugs</a> known to interact with cannabidiol (CBD) &mdash; 13 have significant drug interactions, 499 moderate, and 50 are minor potential interactions.</p>
<p>Most major and moderate negative interactions are with drugs that are opioids or sedatives, e.g., benzodiazepines and sodium oxybate. Some of these are cancer medications used in immunotherapy or hormone treatments, e.g., pexidartinib (Turalio) and relugolix (Orgovyx, Relumina). In some instances, CBD products and medical cannabis may be utilized to <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/can-i-take-cannabis-to-replace-other-medications/">reduce reliance on some drugs</a> it interacts with.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Download Free Guide to CBD</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="399553b0-b478-4c63-b3a1-eceaf34da7d9" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137059000-6244958847"></div>
</div>
<h2 id="how-cbd-can-affect-medications">How CBD Can Affect Medications</h2>
<p>There are three main ways CBD can affect the way other drugs behave:</p>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">It can interfere with metabolization in the liver. This could be due to an increased risk of hepatic impairment when combined with some drugs (e.g., teriflunomide, an immunomodulatory drug for multiple sclerosis) or CBD&rsquo;s ability to desensitize the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP450). This can increase the level of other drugs in the body, as they are not being metabolized and broken down entirely, leading to an increased risk of negative side effects.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The sedative effects of high doses of CBD can increase the sedative effects of other drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS), dopamine receptors, or serotonin receptors. This includes opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antidepressants, and <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/replacing-alcohol-with-weed/">alcohol</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">CBD&rsquo;s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties (i.e., its ability to suppress or stimulate the immune system) can interfere with other drugs with similar effects.</li>
</ol>
<p>Many drugs that interact with CBD also interact with medical cannabis in similar ways.</p>
<h2 id="medications-that-interact-with-cbd">Medications That Interact with CBD</h2>
<h3>Opioids, Particularly Propoxyphene, Morphine, and Buprenorphine</h3>
<p>Using buprenorphine with CBD can increase the likelihood of suffering severe side effects such as respiratory distress (including respiratory depression, coma, and even death).</p>
<p>Cannabinoids like CBD can help reduce<a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/addiction-treatment-cannabis/"> the need for opioid-based painkillers</a>.</p>
<h3>Immunosuppressives Such as Leflunomide and Teriflunomide</h3>
<p>Some immunosuppressives like Leflunomide may cause liver problems. Using it with other medications that can also affect the liver, such as cannabidiol, may increase that risk.</p>
<h3>Corticosteroids Like Hydrocortisone and Prednisolone</h3>
<p>Corticosteroids can inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A, and so can CBD. Concomitant use may decrease glucocorticoid clearance and increase the risk of side effects.</p>
<h3>Hormones Like Levothyroxine</h3>
<p>A 2017 study <a href="https://cfah.org/cbd-and-levothyroxine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that if a patient takes the thyroid medication levothyroxine and CBD simultaneously, levothyroxine is not metabolized properly. This leads to a buildup of thyroxine, which can lead to hyperthyroidism and troubles with digestion, the heart, and muscle function.</p>
<h3>Antidepressants Such as Fluoxetine (Prozac)</h3>
<p>Like corticosteroids, using CBD interferes with the enzymes in the liver that break down many drugs, including antidepressants. Their interactions may lead to insufficient concentrations of the drug in the body (or the opposite: too much, leading to an increased chance of overdose), resulting in subtherapeutic effects. Using the two together may also increase the likelihood of sedation and dizziness. CBD may also alleviate <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/depression/">depression</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5422566/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decrease antidepressant and sedative intake</a>.</p>
<h3>Some Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Like Ibuprofen and Diclofenac</h3>
<p>Using CBD and diclofenac (Voltaren) together may increase the likelihood of suffering from liver problems, stomach bleeding, or GI upset. Regular use of high doses of CBD and high amounts of NSAIDs like <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/nsaid-alternatives/">ibuprofen</a>, diclofenac, and other stronger NSAIDs are more often associated with such complications.</p>
<h3>Anticoagulants and Anti-platelets Like Warfarin and Clopidogrel</h3>
<p>Using CBD together with warfarin (Coumadin) may increase the blood levels and effects of warfarin. As warfarin is an anticoagulant, this can thin the blood to dangerous levels, and this can cause clotting, wound-healing, and bruising problems and potentially affect heart rate.</p>
<p>CBD also inhibits the enzyme CYP2C19, an isoenzyme responsible for the transformation of clopidogrel to its active thiol metabolite. This can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31724188/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lead to</a> &ldquo;subtherapeutic levels of the active metabolite and possibly increased stroke risk.&rdquo;</p>
<h3>Benzodiazepines Such as Alprazolam and Lorazepam</h3>
<p>Using CBD with benzodiazepines can increase the likelihood of suffering from side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.</p>
<p>Many benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, triazolam, brotizolam, and midazolam, are mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. CBD desensitizes this enzyme, interfering with how the liver metabolizes benzodiazepines. This also increases the chances of negative and subtherapeutic effects.</p>
<p>Benzodiazepines may be prescribed for the short-term treatment of anxiety and PTSD or the long-term treatment of seizures, including those caused by epilepsy. CBD is effective for <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/lennox-gastaut-syndrome-epilepsy/">Lennox-Gastaut</a> and <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/dravet-syndrome-epilepsy/">Dravet</a> syndrome, forms of <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/epilepsy/">epilepsy</a> that are often managed by addictive sedatives. CBD could be used to <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/benzodiazepine-use-disorder/">reduce benzodiazepine intake</a>.</p>
<h3>Antipsychotics Such as Aripiprazole</h3>
<p>Interestingly, CBD has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678854" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antipsychotic properties</a> and could be used on its own or in combination with other antipsychotics for managing <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/psychosis/">psychosis</a> in schizophrenia or <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/bipolar-disorder/">bipolar disorder</a>. However, concomitant use can also lead to increased sleepiness, fatigue, and possible accidental falls. CBD may also interfere with the metabolization of some types of antipsychotic medications.</p>
<h3>Antihistamines Such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)</h3>
<p>Using CBD with antihistamines like diphenhydramine can increase their sedative properties.</p>
<h2 id="does-the-type-of-cbd-and-dose-matter">Does the Type of CBD and Dose Matter?</h2>
<p>Broad-spectrum<a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/best-cbd-oil/"> and full-spectrum CBD oils</a> contain other cannabinoids and <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/terpenes/">terpenes</a>, which can also interact with any other medications you are taking. CBD isolates mean it is just the CBD (and possibly other non-cannabis or hemp ingredients) that interact with the medication.</p>
<p>Inhaled CBD acts fastest (peaking within 30 minutes) and may increase the risk of immediate (acute) side effects. Edibles can take a longer time to reach their high concentration point, but their potency can drastically increase the sedative effects of other medications. Topical creams and salves do not tend to penetrate past the first few layers of skin, so they are unlikely to get into the bloodstream and react with other medications. Transdermal patches release cannabinoids slowly into the bloodstream and do not necessarily reach a high concentration peak, but their potency and long-lasting effects may cause negative drug-drug interactions.</p>
<p>CBD also has biphasic effects, meaning it has two different effects at different dosages. In low doses, CBD is stimulating, and in higher doses, it is more sedative. Higher doses of CBD may be more likely to interfere with a sedative, antidepressant, and NSAID metabolization than lower doses.</p>
<p>So yes, CBD&rsquo;s type, form, and dose do matter.</p>
<div class="tc pa-xxl pv-xl mb-xxl bg-grey-lighter">
<h6>Download Free Guide to CBD</h6>
<div class="leafwell-hubspot-form" data-wp-hubspot-form data-form-id="399553b0-b478-4c63-b3a1-eceaf34da7d9" data-portal-id="7790175" id="hbspt-form-1660137059000-3836090806"></div>
</div>
<h2 id="the-bottom-line">The Bottom Line</h2>
<p>Although CBD is a well-tolerated compound with few severe or adverse side effects, there are some potential complications. Those suffering from serious health problems would be well advised to <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-card/">speak to a medical marijuana doctor</a> first if they intend to start using CBD in addition to taking over-the-counter and prescription medications.</p>
<h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h3>Does CBD interfere with blood pressure medicine?</h3>
<p>Even a single dose of CBD &ldquo;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduces</a> resting blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress, particularly cold stress, and especially in the post-test periods.&rdquo; This means that CBD can interfere with some blood pressure medications like enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Zestril). There is less evidence that CBD interacts or interferes with other blood pressure medications like irbesartan.</p>
<h3>Does CBD interact with prescription drugs?</h3>
<p>Yes, CBD interacts with several classes of prescription drugs, particularly opioids, benzodiazepines, drugs that affect the immune system, antidepressants, and some types of NSAIDs. CBD does not, however, interact with all kinds of prescription drugs.</p>
<h3>Does CBD affect vitamins and supplements?</h3>
<p>There is no evidence to suggest that CBD affects the metabolization or activity of vitamins and supplements. However, there are many supplements on the market, and few tests have been done to see if there are any interactions between CBD and various multivitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies.</p>
<div data-highlight="rec-card" data-title="Get Your Medical Card" data-image='{"id":22129,"altText":"","sourceUrl":"https:\/\/admin.leafwell.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png","srcSet":"https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png?size=384x476&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 384w, https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng-484x600.png?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 484w, https:\/\/946256.smushcdn.com\/2628119\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hand-card-homepng.png?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 508w"}'>Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.</div>


tumbled pink pill container exposing different kinds of medicine pills

Head of Research and Education

Dipak Hemraj is a published author, grower, product maker, and Leafwell’s resident cannabis expert. From botany &amp; horticulture to culture and economics, he wishes to help educate the public on why cannabis is medicine (or a “pharmacy in a plant”) and how it can be used to treat a plethora of health problems. Dipak wants to unlock the power of the plant, and see if there are specific cannabinoid-terpene-flavonoid profiles suitable for different conditions.