Rigorous efforts are warranted to further understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these clinical pharmacokinetic interactions. It is also critical to extend the awareness of the life-threatening adverse interactions to both health care professionals and patients. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by the presence of seizures and neuropsychiatric comorbidities.
In some cases, it could cause higher than normal levels of a steroid to enter your bloodstream. In other cases, it could lower the levels of steroidal medications in your blood, making them less effective. Statins are medications used to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood. SSRIs are antidepressant medications that stop the central nervous system from breaking down the neurotransmitter serotonin. SSRIs are commonly prescribed to treat mental health conditions like seasonal affective disorder and major depressive disorder.
CBD oil has been studied for its potential role in easing symptoms of many common health issues, including anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease. One recent study treated nine healthy men with one dose of 600 mg of CBD oil and found it reduced resting blood pressure, compared to a placebo.
Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were compared with liver function test findings at baseline in those taking concomitant valproate. Analysis from an ongoing, open-label compassionate-use study included 42 children and 39 adults given the cannabidiol (CBD) Epidiolex (GW Pharmaceuticals, plc) to augment their epilepsy treatment. Results from the full group showed an increasing dose of CBD was associated with significant increases in serum levels of rufinamide, topiramate, and N-desmethylclobazam and a significant decrease in clobazam.
Unfortunately, pharmacists receive little to no guidance what is hemp oil regarding CBD and cannabinoids during their education and training. CBD is compound isolated from the marijuana plant that, in its purest form, contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use. Like many other medications, CBD is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P-450 enzymes, sometimes resulting in drug-drug interactions. These interactions may be significant in patients with epilepsy who may be taking several concomitant AEDs to control seizures.
