Drug Interactions with CBD Use

If you’ve read our post about the Entourage effect you will know what a powerful way that plays into how CBD helps promote a healthy life. As you begin reading about CBD’s uses and benefits you may begin to think about how they may affect your daily prescription drug or your other supplements.

Does CBD interact with prescription drugs?

Short answer – Yes, but there’s a lot more to consider.

Most people see no interactions.

What causes the interactions?

Drug metabolizing enzymes found in the Cytochrome P450 family, also known as CYP450, are influenced by CBD. The enzymes in this family are involved with how over 60% of pharmaceutical drugs are metabolized.

CYPs are found mostly in the liver but CYP enzymes are found in other organs including the intestines and lungs.

The effects people experience wildly differ. If CBD inhibits a CYP enzyme the metabolism of your drug will be delayed. Now if it induces the CYP enzyme it will shorten the lifespan of your drug.

First step in safety is checking for potential interaction is verifying if they both are metabolized by the same group of CYPs. This information is available for any drug approved in the US.

Grapefruit Method?

Worried about how your medication may interact with CBD or other cannabinoids? Cannabidiol , just like other natural foods, may help aid in improving the quality of your life. Natural foods you buy at your grocery store and supplements you take may affect CYP450 enzymes.

Grapefruit as an example-

A compound found in grapefruit interacts with some medications that affect the same CYP450 enzyme family. If you prescriber cautions you about eating grapefruit while taking a medication there’s a good chance CBD could cause an interaction also.

These interactions are not always critical but may require monitoring or dosing adjustments.

Ask your Doctor

There is still much to learned about CBD and other cannabinoids so please check with your doctor is you have any questions or concerns about possible interactions.

As more clinical studies are done the more we’ll understand how CBD plays a role in your health.