Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to be personalised information about your medication regimen, please consult your doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns.
The use of medicinal cannabis (MC) is increasing in Australia, in fact you’re probably reading this now because you’re a MC patient right now! As beneficial as this range of medications can be, we still have to be aware when using MC with other common medications. Today we will bring to the forefront some points to be aware of when taking MC with other medications.
Broadly speaking, the two main active ingredients - AKA cannabinoids - are THC and CBD. Many products contain both ingredients in various concentrations. Though there are many other cannabinoids - each with their own benefits - this blog post will only be exploring THC and CBD.
THC is the ingredient that is responsible for the euphoria and impairment that is generally associated with cannabis, but is considered to be relatively safe as it is almost impossible to lethally overdose yourself. However if you’ve been prescribed a MC product that mainly consists of THC, it’s important to be mindful of what it does.
As THC is strongly associated with drowsiness and driving impairment, it’s important to be aware of your other medications that may also cause drowsiness as the effects may stack. Prescription medications that may cause drowsiness will have a warning sticker for reference (some may look a bit different but the wording will be the same):
If you’ve had a consultation with a prescriber for MC, you would have been asked some questions along the lines of: “Are you taking antipsychotic medications?: or “Do you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorders in the family?” As confronting as it sounds, it’s important to answer these questions honestly as THC can affect the actions of any antipsychotic medications you’ve been prescribed.
As of 2024, over a third of all Australians have high blood pressure which increases the risk of a heart attack. THC is known to increase blood pressure as it causes the heart to pump faster. If you’re taking any medications to reduce blood pressure or to relieve angina while using THC, it would be worthwhile to discuss with your prescriber if there needs to be a change in your medication regimen.
Unlike THC, CBD is less likely to cause drowsiness and driving impairment, but different people can respond to the same medication differently so it is important to be aware of how you respond to your medications and take the appropriate precautions. Additionally, taking medications that can cause drowsiness or drinking alcohol while using CBD can increase the risk of impairment. Examples of these medications include opioids, benzodiazepines (eg. Valium, Ativan), antipsychotics, antidepressants and sedating antihistamines (eg. Phenergan, Polaramine).
Lastly, THC and CBD also affect the action of certain liver enzymes which are responsible for processing medications after they enter your body. As such, it’s a good idea to provide the prescriber with a list of medications you’re taking to ensure that the effectiveness of your other medications are not affected.
To learn more about Medicinal Cannabis and its potential drug interactions, please give us a call at 1300 420 965 or send us an email at hello@dispensedirect.com.au. Our team members would love to help.