CBD oil may be everywhere, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to take. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid patients with fibromyalgia take to help with pain, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms. Whether it’s from hemp or cannabis, CBD taken orally or in patch form applied to your wrist has the potential to interact with any other medication or supplement you take. CBD in topical form will not be absorbed from the skin into the bloodstream, and thus is always safe to take.
Eating CBD can strongly inhibit specific types of p450 liver enzymes that break down over 25% of prescription drugs. Specifically, CBD can inhibit CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 liver enzymes, which may increase levels of certain prescription drugs and potentially cause unwanted side effects or serious adverse reactions. This means there is a greater chance of a drug interaction when using CBD than THC or CBN.
Is CBD safe to take with Lyrica?
Lyrica, also known as the generic drug pregabalin, is a drug commonly prescribed to treat fibromyalgia as well as neuropathic pain and seizures. Lyrica is not metabolized by the liver and thus is not broken down by CYP450 liver enzymes. This means that CBD in any form will not cause a drug interaction in a patient taking Lyrica and is SAFE to take.
Is CBD safe to take with Cymbalta?
Cymbalta, also known as the generic drug duloxetine, is a drug commonly prescribed to treat depression as well as fibromyalgia. It works as an SSNRI by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.
Cymbalta is is mostly metabolized through the liver and broken down by p450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP1A2. CBD can inhibit CYP2D6, and thus can increase levels of Cymbalta in the bloodstream. This can cause incidence or severity of side effects including nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, or insomnia. This suggest Cymbalta is NOT SAFE to take with oral CBD (CBD oil, edibles, capsules, etc.). If you are on Cymbalta and are thinking about using CBD, you should consult an experienced cannabis clinician like our Infused Health coaches. An experienced cannabis coach can help you reduce your Cymbalta dosing, change the timing of your CBD dosing, or suggest alternate routes of administration of CBD that don’t go through first-pass metabolism through the liver.
Is THC or cannabis safe to take with Cymbalta?
Smoking THC-containing marijuana (also known as cannabis) in any form, whether it’s a joint, a pipe, or bong, can cause increased activity of CYP1A2, a liver enzyme that breaks down Cymbalta. This means that smoking cannabis to treat your fibromyalgia pain or other symptoms may make your Cymbalta less effective. It’s important to note that it’s unclear whether THC in non-smokable forms, such as tinctures or edibles, has any impact on CYP1A2 activity. Research has only been published on the impact of smoking cannabis on liver enzyme activity.
Many fibromyalgia patients who use cannabis reduce or eliminate their use of prescription drugs like Cymbalta, so this is something to consider under the guidance of an experienced cannabis clinician like our Infused Health coaches.
Is CBD safe to take with Savella?
Savella, also known as the generic drug milnacipran, is commonly used to treat fibromyalgia and depression. It works as an SNRI and inhibits the reuptake of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.
Savella is metabolized mostly through the kidney, with only 8% of the drug being metabolized through the p450 liver enzyme CYP3A4. While CBD can inhibit CYP3A4 liver enzymes, potentially increasing blood levels of Savella, because so little of Savella is broken down through CYP3A4, this is not a clinically significant drug interaction. In layman’s terms, this suggests Savella is SAFE to take with CBD.
Who can I consult before taking CBD or cannabis?
We strongly suggest any patient on prescription drugs talk to a qualified cannabis clinician like Dr. Michele Ross before starting any CBD product, cannabis product, or dietary supplement. You can also join her online program Fibro University for in-depth education and coaching on cannabis, nutrition, and mindset work for deep healing of fibromyalgia.
Where can I buy lab-tested CBD products that are safe and effective?
We’ve partnered with a company Real Wellness that makes premium CBD oil products formulated with Chinese herbs to be even more effective for easing pain and relieving stress. Use code INFUSED for a major discount through our link: https://realwellnessherbal.com/product/serenity-calming-hemp-tonic.
Dr. Michele Ross is a PhD neuroscientist and health coach working with cannabis, kratom, and mushrooms. She helps people with chronic illness live their best life ever! Her specialties are fibromyalgia, mental health, and women’s health. She is the author of Vitamin Weed and CBD Oil For Health. Book a cannabis consultation today.