Beware of Interactions with Other Medications
Medicinal cannabis is a term that refers to the use of cannabis or cannabis-based products for medical purposes. However, it may also interact with other medications that you are taking, and cause unwanted or harmful effects. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor before using medicinal cannabis, especially if you have any chronic or serious health conditions.Some of the possible drug interactions with medicinal cannabis are:- Warfarin: Medicinal cannabis may increase the blood-thinning effect of warfarin, which can increase the risk of bleeding. You may need to monitor your blood clotting time more frequently and adjust your warfarin dose accordingly¹.- Clobazam: Medicinal cannabis may increase the blood levels of clobazam, a medication used to treat seizures. This can increase the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, and sedation. You may need to lower your clobazam dose or avoid using medicinal cannabis with this medication¹.- Central nervous system depressants: Medicinal cannabis may enhance the effects of other drugs that slow down the brain and nervous system, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and alcohol. This can increase the risk of respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and impaired cognition and coordination. You should use caution and avoid driving or operating machinery when using medicinal cannabis with these drugs¹².- Sympathomimetics: Medicinal cannabis may counteract the effects of drugs that stimulate the heart and blood vessels, such as decongestants, stimulants, and some antidepressants. This can reduce the effectiveness of these drugs and cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate. You should monitor your blood pressure and heart rate regularly and report any abnormal changes to your doctor¹².- Theophylline, clozapine, and olanzapine: Medicinal cannabis may decrease the blood levels of these drugs, which are used to treat asthma, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, respectively. This can reduce the efficacy of these drugs and worsen your symptoms. You may need to increase your dose of these drugs or avoid using medicinal cannabis with them¹².These are not all the possible drug interactions with medicinal cannabis. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medication, supplement, or herbal product, and inform them of all the drugs that you are currently taking. You should also report any adverse reactions or side effects that you experience while using medicinal cannabis.Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/cannabis.html.(2) Medical cannabis (cannabis oil) – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/.(3) Drug interactions with cannabinoids | CMAJ. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/9/E206.(4) Medical Cannabis: Adverse Effects & Drug Interactions. https://doh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/Medical%20Cannabis%20Adverse%20Effects%20and%20Drug%20Interactions_0.pdf.(5) Marijuana Use May Cause Harmful Drug Interactions – Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/marijuana/marijuana-use-may-cause-harmful-drug-interactions/.
You might be interested in exploring more about drug interactions and medicinal cannabis. Speaking of drug interactions, you might find this Wikipedia article on drug interactions informative. It provides detailed information on how different drugs can interact with each other, including medicinal cannabis. Additionally, if you want to learn more about medicinal cannabis itself, this Wikipedia article on medical cannabis can provide you with comprehensive insights into its uses, effects, and potential interactions.