Cannabidiol or CBD is known as the non-psychoactive properties. For a long time, it is believed to give medicinal effects to those who take it. Anxiety, sleeping problems, and pain are only some of the ailments that this wonder drug can alleviate. Moreover, as this plant is accepted in some states like Canada, its efficacy is proven even more. If you are planning to use CBD for your sleeping problems, American Marijuana offers a buying guide for users, so that you can get the right dosage for you.
True enough, CBD has proven its efficacy in the area of medicine. However, if you are taking other medicinal drugs, CBD might affect how it works on your body. There are only little numbers of known CBD and pharmaceutical drug interactions that create a positive effect on one’s body.
The Effect Of Taking CBD With Pharmaceutical Drugs
When taken alone at a short to medium term, CBD is entirely safe. However, there may be slight side effects like mild tiredness, changes in the appetite, and occasional cases of diarrhea. But for some who use this drug because of its therapeutic potential, the side effects are worth withstanding.
However, just because CBD is benign when taken alone does not mean that it is safe to mix it with other drugs; pharmaceutical drugs to be specific. Anytime that two substances were put inside the human body, there is always a great chance for it to interact in some new ways. So, it is safe to say that CBD can impact the way your body absorbs your pharmaceutical drugs.
However, how does CBD affect your daily medication? According to the study done by Muhammad Alsherbiny and Chun Guang Li in the Health Research Institute, the drug to drug interaction can be synergistic and antagonistic. Therefore, CBD and pharmaceutical drug interaction can either improve or adverse its effect in the body.
Nearly 60% of the medications that we take are metabolized through liver enzymes. These liver enzymes are called cytochrome P450. CBD is known to be a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450, which means that the drug can block the enzymes. Moreover, once these enzymes were blocked, your body will absorb more medication, which will then cause an adverse effect on your health.
What Are The Known CBD And Daily Medication Interaction
Due to lack of studies, there are only a few known CBD and daily medication interactions. When CBD is taken with other drugs, it can potentially reduce or increase its effect. By slowing down how the body metabolizes the drug, CBD can prolong its presence in the body, which can alleviate or worsen a medical condition.
Interaction Between CBD And Drugs That Increase Bleeding (e.g., warfarin)
There is an increased risk of bleeding for those who use blood-thinning medication like warfarin and ibuprofen. CBD can prolong their duration inside one’s body, so taking both drugs along with each other should be monitored by a healthcare professional. Interaction Between CBD And Sedative Medications
CBD does not possess the sedative property of THC. However, it is known to have a positive effect on the sleep cycle. Taking CBD with sedative medicines can prolong the potency of the medication. While CBD serves as an additive to sedative medication, its direct impact on sedatives is not yet fully known.
Interaction Between CBD And Anti-Seizure Medication
CBD is known to be an effective treatment for epileptic seizures. However, without medical supervision, CBD can cause problems under some circumstances with anti-seizure medication. A low dosage of CBD will not deliver anti-epileptic benefits. But, it will prolong the concentration of clobazam and norclobazam, which can potentially cause more aggressive epileptic seizures. With that being said, the proper dosage must be determined for CBD to alleviate seizures.
The Bottom Line
CBD, though there is a lack of studies, has already proven its efficacy in the line of alternative medicine. However, there are certain drugs that must not be taken along with medicinal CBD. So, just like anything that you put in on your body, it is vital to take caution. Consult a medical professional before you take other drugs alongside with CBD to know what the potential side effects are.