Can CBD Interact with Other Drugs?

The simple answer to this question is yes. Your body will metabolize CBD in a manner that may positively or negatively interfere with the way other drugs are metabolized. If the body isn’t able to metabolize the other drugs in a good enough manner, it can lead to a buildup of the drugs in your system and eventually cause some side effects or complications. As a basic rule,to find out if your drugs could interact with CBD check for a grapefruit warning on your medication. 

Finally, keep in mind that the drug interactions can also be a positive thing in some cases, where the CBD makes the other drugs even more effective than they would have been without CBD. In such cases, it is possible to reduce the dosage of these drugs, if used in combination with CBD – but you must consult a medical professional before taking such a decision.

A good example of a drug that could show some negative side effects upon interacting with CBD is warfarin or any other blood thinner, these are know to have increased potency when taken with grapefruit or CBD. 

Grapefruit Interaction Warning

This may seem like an odd warning when thinking about taking CBD, but it really isn’t. A number of physicians tell their patients to avoid grapefruit when they are on different types of medications and there is a valid reason for that. The consumption of grapefruit releases some compounds that can inhibit the cytochrome P450 system of your body, in a way that is similar to CBD.

This system is the part of your liver that is in charge of metabolizing almost three-fifths of all the pharmaceutical drugs that can be acquired in the market. The cytochrome P450 system is made up of over 50 enzymes that are responsible for processing and eliminating different toxins in your body. You must keep in mind that CBD can be a more potent inhibitor but if your doctor or physician has warned you against consuming grapefruit, it is highly likely that CBD oil must also be avoided with the medication.

To check if your medication carries a grapefruit warning you can ask your Doctor, Check the side-effects and warnings section of the leaflet issued with your medication or visit Drugs.com to check if your medication is listed under the interactions list. 

While this is a good way to ascertain when to avoid CBD, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor about it.

Most Known CBD Oil and Pharmaceutical Drug Interactions

Some of the drugs that are known to interact with CBD are ibuprofen, oral hypoglycemic, anti-epileptics, immune modulators, HIV antivirals, antihistamines and so on.

Here is a list of medications that are known to use the cytochrome p450 enzyme system, according to the Indiana University Department of Medicine: 

• Steroids
• HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers
• Antihistamines
• Prokinetics
• HIV antivirals
• Immune modulators
• Benzodiazepines
• Anti-arrythmics
• Antibiotics
• Anti-psychotics
• Anti-depressants
• Anti-epileptics
• Beta blockers
• PPIs
• NSAIDS
• Angiotension II blockers
• Oral hypoglycemic agents
• Sulfonylureas

For a more comprehensive list of drugs, this chart compiled by the Indiana University School of Medicine can be very helpful.

It is important to understand the different side effects or implications that CBD can cause when it interacts with the other drugs that you are consuming for other conditions and this guide should help you in promoting a healthier lifestyle!

Do i have to stop CBD if my Medication carries an interaction warning?

In short no. The guidance given for drugs carrying a grapefruit warning is to separate taking medications by 4 hours. However, do always double check with a medical professional.

If your medication carriers a grapefruit warning then the advice on medication information and side effects leaflts is to separate your medications and CBD/Grapefruit by 2-4 hours.

Ths isn't a catch all, and there are undoubtedly conditions and medications that may have differing interactions. If you're on blood thinners, heart medication, cancer treatments or any other non standard medications or ilnesses. You must consult a medical doctor to be sure you're safe. 

Grapefruit–drug interactions that affect the pre-systemic metabolism (i.e., the metabolism that occurs before the drug enters the blood) of drugs have a different duration of action than interactions that work by other mechanisms, such as on absorption, discussed below.[11]

The interaction is greatest when the juice is ingested with the drug or up to 4 hours before the drug.