Can I use CBD oil while taking Spironolactone?
Jim Asked
I take spironolactone for high blood pressure and want to start using CBD oil for anxiety. Is it safe to use CBD oil while taking spironolactone?
Summary
Answer
Hi Jim and thanks for your question. In short, there doesn’t seem to be any major drug interactions I would be concerned about with this combination.
Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic that’s used in combination with other medications to manage high blood pressure. Usually your doctor will try other medications before using spironolactone and if they’re ineffective they’ll add it on to try and help. Spironolactone works by binding to ion channels in the kidneys and increasing the excretion of sodium and water, while retaining potassium (hence it’s in a drug class called “potassium sparing diuretics”).
CBD is one of the primary cannabinoids found in cannabis and is omnipresent in consumer products nowadays. CBD’s widespread availability is largely attributed to the 2018 Farm Bill which legalized hemp nationwide. Hemp-derived CBD products are very commonly used for occasional anxiety or stress.
CBD is metabolized by enzymes in the liver, therefore taking CBD can alter the way your liver metabolizes other drugs. But Spironolactone isn’t metabolized by the enzymes that CBD impacts, so there’s no interference with metabolism. While there’s no apparent interaction between CBD and spironolactone you should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new prescription, over-the-counter drug, herbal supplement, or natural product to make sure it’s safe to take with CBD and any other medications you might be taking.
CBD on its own is relatively safe and well tolerated, but it can alter the metabolism of other drugs. This could result in changes in a drug’s concentration in your blood. If levels increase too high, certain medications could produce adverse effects and toxicity. If the levels go to low, the drug could become ineffective.
One more thing is to always purchase CBD from a reputable source. A couple of quality standards you can check for are if the manufacturer holds a Current Good Manufacturing Practices certification and if the products are lab tested for contaminants.
Thanks again, and feel free to reach out with any further questions!
PHOTO CREDIT: Naewmna
- Epidiolex . Carlsbad, CA: Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. 2020. [package insert].
- Aldactone. New York, NY: Pfizer, Inc. 2008. [package insert].
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