You may notice on most of your CBD products that suggest you asking your doctor before using it if you are on drug treatment. Why? Due to the nature of chemical compounds, virtually every substance, including CBD, will interact with other substances, especially drug treatment. However, good things always deserve patience, even many things shall be concerned. CBD is such a thing!

Looking at here, aren’t you worrying too much on CBD interactions to use it? Take it easy. On almost time, it is safe to use CBD. If you are the special one, just be more careful.

However, if you are the special one for CBD, before trying it, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about all of the vitamins, supplements, and prescription and over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Here’s a deeper look at why having the conversation matters.

Drug Metabolism and CYP450 Enzymes

When you take a medication or other substance, your body has to metabolize it, or break it down. Drug metabolism happens throughout the body, such as in the gut, but the liver does a big part of the job, too.

A family of enzymes called cytochrome P450 (CYP450) trusted source does the important work of converting foreign substances so they can easily be eliminated from the body.

But some medications or substances affect CYP450, either by slowing or speeding up drug metabolism. That change in metabolism rate can alter how your body processes the medications or supplements you take — hence a drug interaction.

Why Does CYP450 Matter When It Comes to CBD and Medications?

The CYP450 family of enzymes is responsible for metabolizing several cannabinoids, including CBD, research shows. Specifically, CYP3A4, an important enzyme within the CYP450 family, does the task. But during this process, CBD also interferes with CYP3A4.

The CYP3A4 enzyme is in charge of metabolizing about 60 percent of clinically prescribed medications. But if CBD is inhibiting CYP3A4, it can’t work as effectively to break down the medications in your system.

The reverse can happen, too. Many medications inhibit CYP3A4. If you then take CBD while on these medications, your body can’t work to process the CBD as effectively.

If your body is metabolizing a medication too slowly, you may have more medication in your system at one time than intended — even if you’ve stuck to your normal dose. An increased level of a medication in your system could exaggerate its effects, including unwanted or harmful side effects.

Some substances also speed up the work of the CYP450 enzyme family. If your body is metabolizing a medication too fast because another substance is inducing the enzymes, you may not have enough of the medication in your system at one time to treat a health issue.

Below are some examples on Interaction Between CBD and drugs:

Interaction Between CBD and Drugs that Increase Risk of Bleeding

Studies have shown that CBD and other plant cannabinoids can increase the effects of drugs used for blood-thinning (e.g. warfarin) or drugs with a risk of blood-thinning (e.g. ibuprofen).

By slowing down how the body metabolizes these drugs, CBD preserves the medication’s durability and prolongs its presence in the body. Effectively, CBD can increase and prolong the effects of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding and the usage of both simultaneously should be closely monitored by a medical professional.

Interaction Between CBD and Sedatives

By interacting with neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system, cannabinoids like CBD and THC can induce sedative effects on the user. While the sedative effects of THC are associated with drowsiness and lethargy, CBD induces sedative effects that are calming and wake-inducing.

When combined with sedatives, cannabinoids produce an additive effect, meaning they can increase the effects of the medication. While the interaction between CBD and sedatives does not seem to have a directly negative effect on the user, the potential impact CBD can have on sedatives is not fully known.

To play it safe, users should avoid combining CBD with sedatives.

How CBD Interacts Anti-Seizure Medication

While CBD is widely known to be an effective treatment for epileptic seizures, without medical supervision, CBD can present problems under certain circumstances with anti-seizure medication.

A 1992 study by Lester Bornheim found that a low dosage of CBD will not deliver its renowned anti-epileptic benefits; however, it will still inhibit the cytochrome p450 enzymes and result in prolonged concentrations of clobazam and norclobazam, which can actually result in more aggressive seizures.

With that being said, it is very important to consult with a medical professional in order to determine the proper dosage of CBD to effectively alleviate epileptic seizures.

Interaction Between CBD and Chemotherapy Drugs

The interaction between CBD and chemotherapy treatment presents a similar situation.

In the treatment of cancer, accurate and precise dosages of chemotherapy drugs are extremely important. An inadequate amount may result in ineffectiveness and an excessive amount may result in over toxicity.

Many chemotherapy drugs are formulated with the understanding that the drug will be metabolized at a certain rate before entering the body. By introducing CBD to the equation, the metabolism process is inhibited, which can result in higher concentrations of the drug to enter the bloodstream than intended.

While CBD has shown to alleviate cancer-related pain and slow the growth of cancer, if it is combined with chemotherapy treatment, the amount and type of cancer medication administered must account for the presence of CBD.

Conclusion

CBD can deliver a wide variety of benefits, it’s truly a good thing for your daily life. However, like any other substance, it can interact with other substances, and it is extremely important to be aware of these CBD drug interactions. And your doctors always know better and more cautious than you on treatment. That’s why to ask your physician when you take CBD during drug treatment.

Furthermore, most of CBD products on market are for healthcare purpose instead of drug treatment. Hence, before using CBD products, always be careful when check on label. Because it will suggest you consulting with your physician if you are trying to insert CBD during drug treatment. It’s an gently and important reminder!

If you are a CBD lover and during drug treatment. Hope this article can help you.