Can you take CBD Oil with Citalopram? (Yes or No)

In this article, we will answer the following question: Can you take CBD Oil with Citalopram?  Almost all medicines, both those produced in laboratories and those grown on land, interact with each other in some way. Combining medications can increase or decrease their effects, causing potentially harmful side effects. Is it safe to mix CBD with drugs?

As cannabis law is relaxed, patients are turning to CBD as a treatment for many health problems. From managing chronic pain to treating seizures or anxiety, CBD is finally becoming a widespread trend. This raises the question of the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) when taken together with other medications. Here is what you should know if you consume CBD in combination with other drugs.

Different Types of substance abuse, such as drugs and or other harmful chemicals is very dangerous. Knowing the adverse effects substance abuse has on one’s health, people tend to use them in excess. For example, Weed and citalopram.

CBD and Citalopram: Can you take it?

CBD and citalopram is a combination one should try to avoid, because there are some reports that CBD can make the effects of citalopram worse, and this can lead to complications in the neurotransmitter levels in the brain. CBD can increase the body’s levels of citalopram (Celexa), and some other drugs that affect brain chemistry.

It seems that interactions between CBD and this type of antidepressant are not common, although this is based purely on anecdotal accounts of those who have taken both substances. There are also a few isolated reports that mixing SSRIs and CBD can increase the risk of hypomania, which is a mild degree of mania.

Citalopram is an antidepressant drug that has been produced since 1989. This drug, popularly known as Celexa, is included in the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

This type of drug increases the amount of serotonin by preventing it from being recaptured. The main function of serotonin is to maintain harmony, balance and emotional well-being, which is essential when intervening in emotional disturbances such as depressive disorders or conditions with anxiety symptoms.

Furthermore, compared to other antidepressants, citalopram discharges large amounts of analgesic substances with an effect as strong as that of morphine. This has earned him fame as a very effective antidepressant.

Many people take CBD as an alternative or complementary method of treating anxiety, stress, depression, sleep problems, and other similar mental disorders. CBD has helped a wide range of patients, although the efficacy and specific action of CBD on these health problems must be validated by future medical research.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed for those with these psychological conditions. Among the most widely prescribed brand name drugs are Prozac, Paxil and Celexa, and others widely supplied by doctors to treat depression, panic attacks and other similar symptoms/disorders.

SSRI takers are advised to consult a medical professional to see if they can safely combine them with CBD. A doctor can analyze possible adverse CBD interactions, helping you find the most suitable dose for you.

The way CBD is not recommend to be taken with citalopram, the drugs Ibuprofen and Citalopram are also advised to be taken separately..

The interaction of CBD Oil with other drugs

Although CBD consumption alone is often considered safe, it can alter the way your body metabolizes other substances. A possible effect of this is that certain medications remain in the body longer than expected, and may cause unwanted effects. 

Furthermore, CBD as a medicine is a relatively recent field, where research is still underway and all of the side effects of cannabidiol are not yet understood. This requires some caution when consuming CBD, especially with other medications.

Below is a list of some common medications and their interaction with CBD:

CBD Oil with Medication for epilepsy and seizures

Clobazam is usually prescribed to epileptic patients to control seizures. Recently, the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has approved a drug based on the CBD of the hemp plant, to treat certain types of epilepsy. But does CBD interfere with Clobazam?

A 2015 study, published in the Epilepsy Magazine, found that combining cannabidiol and Clobazam could increase Clobazam levels in the body, increasing its effect. Patients who consumed both substances experienced increased sedation.

Another study concluded that Clobazam may interact with CBD, so that some patients may experience increased fatigue and tiredness. Research in this area is not yet definitive, but preliminary results suggest that caution should be exercised when mixing these medicines.

CBD Oil with Cold and flu medicine

NyQuil is a common over-the-counter drug used to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Its main active ingredient is doxylamine, which is an antihistamine that is frequently found in allergy medications.

Taking CBD in combination with drugs containing doxylamine can produce side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or impaired cognitive and motor function. The reason for this is that CBD is considered to inhibit the functions of liver enzymes, causing medications to break down at a slower rate. Unwanted side effects may occur. Caution is recommended.

CBD Oil with  Anxiolytic drugs (benzodiazepines) 

Xanax (alprazolam) is a drug that is often prescribed for panic and anxiety disorders. It is a minor tranquillizer. Although according to anecdotal evidence, taking CBD together with Xanax does not usually have side effects, its combination can increase the side effects of one or both substances.

The most common side effects of mixing CBD and Xanax are drowsiness, confusion, and concentration problems. Check with your doctor before mixing to avoid adverse effects.

CBD Oil with Anticoagulants

Most patients taking Warfarin, a very common anticoagulant, have not found any significant side effects when combined with CBD. However, there is evidence that cannabidiol possibly increases and prolongs the effect of Warfarin.

A 2007 study found that CBD also has a mild anticoagulant effect. Because of this, the combination of CBD and Warfarin could have the same effect as a double dose of Warfarin.

CBD Oil with pain medication (opioids) 

Buprenorphine is a drug that belongs to the group of opioids, used to treat deep pain and other conditions. By themselves, opioids are very troublesome since they are extremely addictive, and consumed in large amounts can cause respiratory problems, coma, or even death.

Since CBD also produces a sedative effect, mixing it with opioids can lead to excessive sedation, increasing the risk of these dangerous side effects. Therefore, caution is strongly advised when combining CBD and opioids (Bunavail, Probuphine, Butrans, Suboxone, Belbuca).

CBD Oil with drugs for blood pressure

CBD is known to affect blood pressure and heart rate. Because of this, those taking CBD in combination with beta-blockers to lower blood pressure should be careful. Mixing them can amplify the effect on the heart of each substance, which could increase the risk of a heart attack. This is especially true in patients who have just started taking CBD, as it takes time for the body to develop tolerance.

Some common brands of beta-blockers include Tenormin, Toprol-XL, Sectral, Bystolic, and Zebeta. If you take any of these, or any other beta-blockers, talk to your doctor before trying CBD.

CBD Oil with anti-sleep drugs

Sodium oxybate is a psychoactive and neurotransmitter drug that is often prescribed as an anti-sleep medication to treat narcolepsy. The combination of CBD and sodium oxybate could suppress the central nervous system to an undesired degree. This could lead to potentially dangerous side effects, such as low blood pressure, depression, respiratory problems, dizziness, and in the most serious cases even coma. Therefore, if you are taking sodium oxybate based medications such as Xyrem, be careful when mixing them with CBD. Check with your doctor first.

CBD Oil and other drugs: Conclusions

If you take CBD along with other medications you should be cautious. Although CBD is considered safe, the possible effects of combining it with other medicines are never known, especially considering that each person has different physiology.

The most important thing is that you talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the consumption of CBD and its effect on your medication. On the other hand, you should also inform yourself about the possible side effects of the medications you are taking. And finally, keep in mind that not all medicines, including CBD, produce the same effects on every person.

If you have any questions for us or comments on the content, please let us know!

FAQ on Can you take CBD Oil with citalopram

References

Drugs.com – Drug Interactions between cannabis and citalopram

Drugs.com – User Reviews for Citalopram to treat Anxiety and Stress

Oswaldspharmacy.com – All Your CBD Questions Answered by a Pharmacist

Nhs.uk – Does cannabis interact with antidepressants or lithium?

Cbdoilreview.org – Drugs that May Interact with CBD Oil

cbdeducationonline.com – CBD and Citalopram