Research is still in the process of unveiling CBD’s touted potential to treat various diseases, ranging from arthritis to Epilepsy. However, users should consider how CBD has drug interactions with other drugs in the system. Especially, those who are using prescription drugs need to be wary of CBD drug interactions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a critical review, which claimed that CBD has an excellent safety profile. Meaning, it doesn’t cause any adverse side effects. This claim is probably true, but you might have to consider a few risks.
Here’s a complete rundown of CBD’s associations with other drugs to help you understand the complete repercussions of cannabidiol use.
CBD and The Cytochrome CYP450 Enzyme System
Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme system prevalent in the human liver. It’s responsible for carrying out a variety of physiological reactions. One of the most important and relevant to our discussion is the detoxification of toxic drugs. It’s worth mentioning that this system processes more than 60% of drugs currently available on the market. That’s a huge number.
Why Is CYP450 Important?
To figure out the exact dosage of different medications, doctors calculate the amount of time the cytochrome P450 system takes to metabolize a drug. If the system is processing one drug at a time, the dosing is pretty easy to wrap your head around. However, under the influence of two or more drugs, things get tricky. One drug might stimulate or inhibit the other’s activity and affect processing times, leading to inaccurate estimates. Cytochrome p450’s own condition also matters. This means that if the system is not healthy, processing times may still be affected.
Cannabidiol in the Cytochrome P-450 System
CBD can affect how Cytochrome P450 treats different drugs. Specifically, CBD can inhibit certain drugs’ activity, thus slowing down their metabolic breakdown in the body, hence, causing a drug interaction.
However, CBD is not the only compound that affects drug metabolism. There are others, including Grapefruit, Watercress, and goldenseal, that show similar behavior in terms of CYP450 inhibition.
When these drugs impact the CYP450 system, it results in an excessive buildup of drugs in your body. This contributes to dangerous side effects, including overdoses.
If you’re on a med that yous suspect might interact with cannabidiol, you should immediately consult your doctor to confirm whether it’s safe with CBD or not. Your physician may also suggest your dosage that is safe and doesn’t cause any unwanted complications.
Drugs Interactions of CBD
According to the Indiana University of Medicine, drugs impacted by Cytochrome CYP 450 may also be affected by cannabidiol. Some drugs to look out for include:
- Steroids
- HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antihistamines
- Prokinetics
- HIV antivirals
- Immune modulators
- Benzodiazepines
- Antiarrhythmics
- Antibiotics
- Anaesthetics
- Antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Anti-epileptics
- Beta-blockers
- PPIs
- NSAIDs
- Angiotensin II blockers
- Oral hypoglycemic agents
CBD and Prodrugs
This list is not complete. Nor does it suggest that every mentioned medication will unquestionably interact with CBD. Not enough research has been done to prove such findings conclusive. Therefore, you should always talk to your doctor to take CBD safely.
Some medications known as prodrugs need a small part of the cytochrome CPY450 system called CYP3A4 to activate their functions. These compounds enter the body as inactive products and need this system for activation. If some other drug compromises the CYP3A4 system, prodrugs are ineffectively converted into their active forms and fail to produce their desired therapeutic effects.
For example, codeine is a prodrug that is transformed into its active version — morphine — to produce the desired effect. Some other examples include Concerta and Vyvanse. Both these medications are used in the treatment of ADHD.
If you think your CYP450 pathway is not working optimally, your physician can take tests to understand why this is.
Combining Alcohol and CBD Oil
Many people consume alcohol and cannabis together. It’s a common practice, the effects of which are widely known; what is less understood how Alcohol reacts when combined with CBD oil.
Alcohol passes through various metabolic pathways. The enzyme involved in its metabolism include:
- Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
- Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)
- CYP450 (specifically CYP2E1)
Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? Coffee is one of the most preserving beverages of all time. However, CBD’s enormous popularity has crossed its paths with caffeine. Many people combine the two, and fortunately, they are a great match.
In people who aren’t seasoned drinkers, ADH and ALDH manage ethanol metabolism. When it comes to heavy drinkers, CYP450 jumps into the equation and collaborates with ADH and ALDH to manage the overload.
Here are some important things surrounding CBD and Alcohol consumption you should know:
- Taking CBD and Alcohol together contribute to low blood alcohol levels.
- CBD shields the liver from damage caused by heavy drinking.
- CBD acts as a neuroprotectant and prevents alcohol-triggered neurodegeneration.
- Cannabinoids impact almost every enzyme associated with alcohol metabolism.
Caffeine and CBD
Caffeine is very similar in structure to adenosine. Adenosine activates the A2a receptor, which is responsible for regulating energy and alertness. Caffeine stimulates this receptor to inhibit the binding of adenosine, which results in better cognitive function.
Keep in mind that these effects depend upon your CBD dosage. Doses beyond the normally prescribed limits may do more harm than good and result in side effects, such as drowsiness and sedation.
It is worth noting that this drug interaction of CBD depends on the serving size of it. High amounts of CBD are more likely to cause drowsiness and sedation.
Can CBD Oil Be Addictive?
No. And this has been corroborated by multiple sources. While CBD’s psychoactive cousin, THC, is addictive and induces euphoric effects, CBD does not.
Cannabidiol doesn’t show any substance abuse potential, like which cocaine, opiates, and other drugs are known to exhibit. This also means that you will not experience any withdrawal symptoms when you get off CBD. Many people are turning to CBD cigarettes for these very reasons. The tobacco in regular cigarettes has potent addictive properties while CBD is all-natural.
