Medical Marijuana and Drug Interactions
It's getting more popular in more states to use medical marijuana. Chronic pain, anxiety, and epilepsy are just some medical conditions users have said to improve while using medical marijuana. It's vital to know the possible drug interactions when using medical marijuana. In the same way as accidents, avoiding dangerous drug interactions starts with preventing them from happening. According to Drugs.com, up to 392 drugs interact with cannabis. Of these 392, 27 are major, and 365 are moderate.
Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can interact with medical marijuana. This can lead to side effects or decrease the effectiveness of your treatment. Medical marijuana may interact with medications that affect the central nervous system, like antidepressants or antipsychotics. There is a higher potential for drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired judgment when using multiple drugs simultaneously. Interactions between medical marijuana and medications metabolized in the liver, such as blood thinners, can alter the breakdown of these medications. The possible adverse effects of medical marijuana should also be considered when taking additional medication.
It is possible to reap the benefits of medical marijuana while minimizing the risks of drug interactions through informed and responsible use. To help you stay safe and knowledgeable, we'll review the potential dangers of mixing medical marijuana with other drugs and how to avoid them.
What is a Drug Interaction?
An interaction between two or more drugs or a drug and food, drink, or supplement is called a drug interaction. Certain medical conditions can also cause drug interactions. Drug interactions can affect how a drug works or how you feel.
What drugs should not be taken with medical marijuana?
When combining medical marijuana with other medications, being aware of possible drug interactions is critical. It is best to avoid combining medical marijuana with other drugs that have sedative effects, as this can increase drowsiness and impair coordination.
When using medical marijuana, benzodiazepines are a class of medications that should be avoided. Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are common medicines for anxiety and sleep disorders. When you combine benzodiazepines with medical marijuana, you may become more disoriented, sleepy, and uncoordinated. This increases the risk of falls and other accidents and is especially dangerous when operating heavy machinery or driving.
Opioids are a class of medication that should be used with caution. The use of these medications, which include OxyContin, Vicodin, and morphine, is common in treating pain.
Opioids and medical marijuana, on the other hand, can increase the risk of respiratory depression, which can be fatal. Furthermore, combining medical marijuana with opioids can increase drowsiness and poor coordination. Before combining medical marijuana with opioids or other medications, it is critical to consult a doctor to ensure the highest safety and effectiveness.
How does marijuana affect prescription drugs?
It's essential to be aware of how marijuana may interact with prescription drugs, as it can potentially impact the safety and effectiveness of these medications. In general, marijuana is known to have many effects on the body that can affect how prescription drugs are metabolized and absorbed by the body. As such, you should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using marijuana alongside prescription drugs.
One of the key ways in which marijuana can affect prescription drugs is by altering their metabolism. This is because marijuana contains compounds that can affect the activity of enzymes in the liver, which are responsible for breaking down many prescription drugs. When these enzymes are involved, prescription drugs may be broken down more slowly or quickly than intended, leading to changes in their effectiveness or side effects. For example, marijuana can increase the levels of certain antidepressants and antipsychotics in the blood, potentially leading to harmful side effects.
Another way in which marijuana can affect prescription drugs is by altering their absorption in the body. For example, marijuana use can cause changes in the digestive system, changing how drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream. This can lead to changes in the drug's effects, which may be more or less pronounced depending on the individual. Additionally, marijuana use can also affect the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which can alter how drugs can reach the brain and exert their effects.
Finally, it's worth noting that marijuana can also interact with prescription drugs in even less predictable ways. This is because marijuana contains numerous compounds that can deliver various physiological effects depending on dosage and administration method. That's why it's standard to exercise caution when combining medical marijuana with prescribed medication and to talk to a doctor if you have any questions.
Are there any contraindications for medical marijuana?
Pregnancy is a major medical marijuana contraindication. Low birth weight and cognitive and motor development delays are just two of the many possible outcomes of marijuana use during pregnancy. Your doctor should be able to tell you which medications are safe to take while pregnant.
Medical marijuana can make symptoms worse for people with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. People should cautiously approach medical marijuana use with a history of substance abuse because it may reactivate those individuals' addictive behaviors.
Adolescent drug abuse has been linked in numerous studies to impaired cognitive growth. The use of drugs at an early age may lead to bad outcomes in life, such as difficulty in school, issues with memory, concentration, and increased aggression.
Can you take CBD with blood pressure medication?
Natural remedies such as CBD have gained popularity in treating anxiety and pain. However, the potential interactions between CBD and blood pressure medication have raised individual concerns. While CBD has been found to have vasodilatory effects, which widen blood vessels and improves blood flow, research has also indicated that CBD may interact with specific blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. These drugs block particular receptors in the body to reduce blood pressure, and CBD may hinder this process.
The main concern with using CBD alongside blood pressure medication is the risk of adverse effects resulting from drug interactions. Combining CBD with certain blood pressure medications may result in a sudden drop in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, and other symptoms in some cases. However, the extent of this risk still needs to be fully understood and may differ depending on the individual and the particular medications involved. Hence, seeking professional medical advice before using CBD in conjunction with blood pressure medication is advisable. Furthermore, it is important to note that changes in diet and lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, may be more effective than supplements or CBD in managing blood pressure.
What medications cannot be mixed with CBD?
The use of cannabidiol in medicine goes back centuries. It's important to note, however, that CBD can't be taken with every medication. CBD may increase the risk of adverse drug reactions when combined with certain medications.
Anticoagulants like warfarin and heparin are an example of a class of drugs that should not be combined with CBD. CBD use raises the risk of bleeding when combined with blood-clot prevention drugs. The same goes for anticonvulsant medications like clobazam, as CBD may lead to an increased blood concentration of these drugs, potentially increasing adverse reactions.
A medical professional can help you weigh the benefits and risks of CBD with your prescription medication. In addition, they can advise you on how and when to take your medications so that you don't experience any adverse effects from their interactions. Always consult your doctor before trying a new prescription or supplement; your health should always come first.
What You Should Know
You can make more informed decisions when taking medications now that you know this information. It doesn't have to be complicated; you can even talk to a doctor about what drugs are safe. Visit our conditions page to learn more about medical marijuana. To book an appointment, click the link below.
