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CBD Interactions with Medications




Medication interactions are an important consideration for anyone taking Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and certain antidepressants, potentially increasing or decreasing their effects. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before adding CBD to your regimen, especially if you are taking prescription medications. Additionally, CBD may also interact with other supplements or herbs, so it's essential to be aware of potential interactions and to monitor for any adverse effects while using CBD. Being informed and cautious can help ensure a safe and effective experience with CBD.


This summary outlines how CBD can interact with various medications by affecting their breakdown in the body. CBD may slow down the breakdown of certain drugs, potentially increasing their levels in the body and leading to heightened effects or side effects. This is not a complete list and you should always consult with your health care provider before taking any CBD product.


Some medications that may be affected include:

  1. Brivaracetam (Briviact)

  2. Caffeine

  3. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

  4. Citalopram (Celexa)

  5. Clobazam (Onfi)

  6. Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom)

  7. Everolimus (Zostress)

  8. Fluoxetine (Prozac)

  9. Lithium

  10. Medications metabolized by various liver enzymes (Cytochrome P450 enzymes)

  11. Methadone (Dolophine)

  12. Rufinamide (Banzel)

  13. Sirolimus (Rapamune)

  14. Stiripentol (Diacomit)

  15. Tacrolimus (Prograf)

  16. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

  17. Topiramate (Topamax)

  18. Valproate

  19. Warfarin

  20. Zonisamide Some moderate interactions are listed below: Brivaracetam (Briviact) Brivaracetam is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down brivaracetam. This might increase levels of brivaracetam in the body. Caffeine Caffeine is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. This might increase levels of caffeine in the body. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Carbamazepine is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down carbamazepine. This might increase levels of carbamazepine in the body and increase its side effects. Citalopram (Celexa) Citalopram is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down citalopram. This might increase levels of citalopram in the body and increase its side effects. Clobazam (Onfi) Clobazam is changed and broken down by the liver. CBD might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down clobazam. This might increase the effects and side effects of clobazam. Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) Eslicarbazepine is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down eslicarbazepine. This might increase levels of eslicarbazepine in the body by a small amount. Everolimus (Zostress) Everolimus is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down everolimus. This might increase levels of everolimus in the body. Fluoxetine (Prozac) Fluoxetine is changed and broken down by the body. In some people, CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down fluoxetine. This might increase levels of fluoxetine in the body. Lithium Taking higher doses of CBD might increase levels of lithium. This can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. CBD might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications. Methadone (Dolophine) Methadone is broken down by the liver. CBD might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down methadone. Taking cannabidiol along with methadone might increase the effects and side effects of methadone. Rufinamide (Banzel) Rufinamide is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down rufinamide. This might increase levels of rufinamide in the body by a small amount. Sedative medications (CNS depressants) CBD might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking CBD with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness. Sirolimus (Rapamune) Sirolimus is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down sirolimus. This might increase levels of sirolimus in the body. Stiripentol (Diacomit) Stiripentol is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down stiripentol. This might increase levels of stiripentol in the body and increase its side effects. Tacrolimus (Prograf) Tacrolimus is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down tacrolimus. This might increase levels of tacrolimus in the body. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) Tamoxifen is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might affect how quickly the body breaks down tamoxifen. This might affect levels of tamoxifen in the body. Topiramate (Topamax) Topiramate is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down topiramate. This might increase levels of topiramate in the body by a small amount. Valproate Valproic acid can cause liver injury. Taking cannabidiol with valproic acid might increase the chance of liver injury. CBD and/or valproic acid might need to be stopped, or the dose might need to be reduced. Warfarin CBD might increase levels of warfarin, which can increase the risk for bleeding. CBD and/or warfarin might need to be stopped, or the dose might need to be reduced. Zonisamide Zonisamide is changed and broken down by the body. CBD might decrease how quickly the body breaks down zonisamide. This might increase levels of zonisamide in the body by a small amount.

These interactions can vary in severity and may necessitate adjustments in dosage or careful monitoring by healthcare providers to avoid adverse effects.


Once again, always consult with your health care provider before taking any CBD product.



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