We get asked this question a lot. Many customer enquiries around CBD are concerned with other medications they may be taking. The quickest and shortest answer is that it depends on the drug in question. For this reason, we always advise that you speak with your GP or consultant if you take a prescription medication. 

How could CBD interact with my medication? 

The important part of this possibility is the CYP450 pathway. Whilst CBD is considered a safe supplement to take it does inhibit the cytochrome 450 enzyme system.

This system is in the liver and is responsible for metabolizing potentially toxic compounds, which include many drugs that you have taken.

In simple terms Doctor’s use this system to calculate the correct dosage of medicines. This dosage is based on how quickly the drug is metabolised by the CYP450 system.

The processing time in a healthy individual taking one drug can be estimated quite accurately. Your Doctor would need to be aware of conflicting effects between prescription medication on this system and this is no different in the case of a natural food supplement. 

Cannabidiol and the Cytochrome P450 system.

CBD can inhibit the P450 system which means that it can take longer to process other drugs you are taking. This could result in you having too much of a particular medication in your system. 

Actually CBD is not alone in having this effect. Grapefruit is well documented as an inhibitor of the CYP450 system as is St Johns Wort and watercress. Some medications will state on the label not to eat grapefruit whilst taking the drug.

In conclusion, any drug that uses CYP450 enzymes to metabolise in the body could be impacted by CBD and we would advise you to check with your prescribing Doctor before buying your product.

For more information on CBD please read our guide.