CBD and Drug Interactions

There Are Some Good Interactions

Just because CBD interacts with certain medications doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always a bad interaction. In fact, CBD can make other drugs more effective,  sometimes enabling people to lower their current medication dose, which can ultimately reduce any uncomfortable side effects.

The Grapefruit Test

Adrian Lee of Project CBD describes this Grapefruit Test. CBD interacts with other medications in your body in the same way as grapefruit. If you are advised by your health care provider not to take your medication with grapefruit then it’s probably advisable to avoid using CBD with it.

There is a family of compounds in our body called cytochrome P450. This compound interferes with the metabolism of certain medications. CBD also interacts with the same compound.

Simply ask your doctor if it’s safe to eat grapefruit while taking this medication. Chances are, they will know exactly what you are talking about. Remember that if your health care provider advises you to avoid grapefruits with your medication, you should be cautious about taking CBD with it.

Our Recommendation

The grapefruit test is a good way to tell if it is safe to mix CBD with any medication especially if the person prescribing the medication is not familiar with CBD. However, we always recommend that you tell your doctor you want to use CBD. It is advisable to let your doctor know about any medicine you are taking or planning to take, even he or she does not normally prescribe cannabis.

If your doctor is aware of your CBD usage, it may be easier to get detailed advice on how to combine CBD with your medication, or if you need to take any medication at all while using CBD. Your doctor may also decide to monitor your blood work closely or advise you to avoid taking CBD at the same exact time of the day that you take your other medication. It’s always best to speak with your doctor before taking ANY supplements or medications.