With more individuals turning to cannabis for its therapeutic benefits, it’s essential to understand how it can interact with common over-the-counter medications.

Some mixes are okay, while others are not so much.

This article dives into what happens when cannabis meets over-the-counter (OTC) meds, looking at the risks, what the latest studies show, and how to stay safe if you’re blending the two.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are the ones you can pick up off the shelf at your local pharmacy or grocery store without needing a prescription from a doctor.

They’re used to treat everyday ailments like colds, allergies, pain, and stomach issues. Think of the stuff you reach for when you’ve got a headache or a runny nose – pain relievers like ibuprofen, allergy pills like loratadine, or antacids for heartburn.

While OTC meds are generally considered safe when used as directed, they still come with instructions and limits on how much you should take.

Just because you don’t need a prescription doesn’t mean they can’t cause side effects or interact with other things you might be taking, including cannabis.

Cannabis can interact with medications in ways that are neutral, harmful, or completely unpredictable.

A key factor contributing to the complexity of mixing cannabis with medications lies in its interaction with the liver, the body’s primary site for drug metabolism.

When you take a medication or substance, your body needs to break it down. This breakdown can happen in many areas throughout your body, but your liver is a major hub.

When cannabis is consumed, compounds like THC and CBD are metabolized by a group of enzymes in the liver called cytochrome P450 (CYP450).

If these enzymes are preoccupied with breaking down cannabis, the metabolism of concurrent medications could be slowed, causing them to linger in the body longer than intended and possibly increasing side effects. Alternatively, cannabis could accelerate metabolism, reducing the effectiveness of other drugs.

A 2021 study found that the THC-COO-Gluc metabolite stopped several CYP450 enzymes from working.

This inhibition can slow down the liver’s ability to process not just cannabis but also various other medications, potentially leading to increased medication levels in the body and a heightened risk of side effects.

A detailed review published in Frontiers Psychiatry a few years later delved deeper into the cannabis-medication interaction, with a particular focus on CBD. By altering enzyme activity, CBD can change how the liver metabolizes a wide range of common medications, including OTC drugs.

Cannabis’s wide-reaching effects mean it can interact with a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, affecting everything from how pain is perceived to how well we sleep.

Here’s a closer look at some common medication categories that cannabis may influence:

Painkillers

Both cannabis and OTC pain relief medications like ibuprofen (e.g., Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) aim to alleviate discomfort. However, mixing them can amplify effects such as drowsiness or, in contrast, reduce the pain-relieving efficacy of either substance.

Cough and Cold Medicine

These medications often contain ingredients that can cause drowsiness or dizziness. When combined with cannabis, which can have similar sedative effects, the result can be an increased risk of feeling overly sedated or experiencing impaired coordination.

Allergy Medication

Antihistamines used to combat allergy symptoms can also cause drowsiness, a side effect that can be heightened when taken alongside cannabis. This combination could lead to increased lethargy and a greater chance of impaired functioning.

Sleeping Aids

Cannabis, particularly strains with a high CBD content, is sometimes used to promote sleep. However, when used with OTC sleeping aids, there’s a potential for an overly potent sedative effect, which could disrupt sleep cycles or make waking difficult.

When it comes to mixing cannabis with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, caution is the name of the game.

Before combining cannabis with OTC medications, consider discussing your plans with a healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions or take prescribed medications. They can offer personalized advice based on your health history.

If you’re considering using cannabis alongside OTC medications, begin with a low dose and closely monitor how you feel.

Refrain from combining cannabis with medications if you know you’ll be driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing tasks that require full attention and coordination.

Pay close attention to the active ingredients and warnings on OTC medication labels. Look for any cautionary advice about drowsiness or interactions with other substances, including alcohol, which might also apply to cannabis.

Research and understand the potential effects of both the OTC medication and the cannabis strain you plan to use to help you make informed decisions on use.