CBD oils

Does CBD Interfere with Medication?

Cannabidiol or CBD is becoming popular alternative for health and medical benefits. This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is a good remedy for many health issues. It helps reduce inflammation, pain and anxiety and it helps with sleep.

It’s growing popularity means you can find it in everything from shampoos to lotions. CBD-infused smoothies, chocolates, and candies are available. As a Cannabidiol user, you should understand the impact of CBD on your daily medication – along with that you should know the quality/strength, especially when selecting a CBD oil product.

While CBD has many benefits, it interferes with some medication. Its effects depend on the amount you consume and the type of medication you’re taking. Here are some of the effects of CBD on your daily medication:

Inhibits Essential Liver Enzymes

Liver enzymes – cytochrome P450 is essential for metabolization of medication. These enzymes breakdown the drugs in the body and limit the quantity of drugs getting to your blood. These enzymes also prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream. CBD is a powerful inhibitor of cytochrome P450. As a result, the breakdown of drugs and toxins slows and toxin levels in the blood rise.

With a lower metabolic rate, CBD will increase the amount of medication in your blood. In particular, Cannabidiol interacts with blood pressure pills, allergy, and cholesterol medication. Consult your doctor to see if you need to reduce the dosages of other medications when you start taking CBD.

Impacts the Metabolism Process of Chemotherapy Drugs

You’ve heard that CBD is a remedy for cancer patients. Due to its non-psychoactive nature, it helps in pain management and slows the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy, as a cancer treatment approach, requires accuracy as an under or overdose can lead to toxicity or ineffectiveness.

Chemotherapy medications have a formula. This formula accounts for the body’s metabolism rate. It considers your body’s rate of drug absorption. As we have said above, CBD is an enzyme inhibitor. Thus, it blocks the metabolism processes resulting in a higher concentration of drugs in the system.

CBD has many health benefits but it can affect your daily medication. So, it is vital to consult a physician if you use CBD.

Sources:

Grayson L, Vines B, Nichol K, Szaflarski JP; UAB CBD Program. An interaction between warfarin and cannabidiol, a case report. Epilepsy Behav Case Rep. 2017 Oct 12;9:10-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ebcr.2017.10.001. PMID: 29387536; PMCID: PMC5789126. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789126/

Fugh-Berman, A., Wood, S., Kogan, M., Abrams, D., Mathre, M. L., Robie, A., … & Kasimu-Graham, J. Medical cannabis: adverse effects & drug interactions. Government of the District of Columbia: Department of Health. https://doh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/Medical%20Cannabis%20Adverse%20Effects%20and%20Drug%20Interactions_0.pdf

Peter Grinspoon. Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476

 

 

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Nikki is an author and writer specializing in green living ideas and tips, adventure travel, upcycling, and all things eco-friendly. She's traveled the globe, swum with sharks and been bitten by a lion (fact). She lives in a tiny town with a fat cat and a very bad dog.

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