Can you eat edibles after taking medication?

Quick Answer

It is generally not recommended to consume edibles soon after taking certain medications, as the effects of THC can potentially interact with some medications. However, there are no absolute contraindications against consuming edibles after taking most common medications. Those on medications should exercise caution, start with low THC doses, and consult a doctor if unsure.

What are edibles?

Edibles are food products infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. Typical edible options include baked goods like brownies, cookies, and cakes, candies like gummies and chocolates, beverages like tea, coffee, soda, and alcoholic drinks, and other food items like honey, butter, oils, and sauces.

Edibles provide an alternative way to consume cannabis apart from smoking or vaping. When eaten, THC undergoes a different metabolic process through the digestive system that results in a slower onset and longer duration of effects compared to inhalation. It takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects from edibles which can last for 4-12 hours.

Can you consume edibles after taking medication?

There are no absolute medical contraindications against consuming edibles after taking most common prescription or over-the-counter medications. However, THC can potentially interact with some medications and enhance side effects. Hence, it is generally recommended to exercise caution when using edibles with medications.

Some key points to consider:

  • Consult your doctor first – Check with your physician or pharmacist before using edibles with any prescription medications, especially when using it for the first time.
  • Start low, go slow – Begin with a low THC dose (2.5-5mg) and wait for 2-3 hours to check for effects before consuming more.
  • Monitor for side effects – Note any unusual reactions after combining edibles and medications like drowsiness, dizziness, changes in heart rate/blood pressure, etc.
  • Avoid edibles with sedatives – Using THC edibles with sedatives like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, sleep aids can cause excessive drowsiness.
  • Watch for drug interactions – THC can interact with antidepressants, antibiotics, blood thinners, cholesterol drugs, immunosuppressants, heart medications, etc. Potentiating side effects.
  • Be careful with health conditions – Use caution if you have heart disease, low blood pressure, liver problems, diabetes, respiratory issues, or mental health disorders.

If you experience any concerning symptoms after eating edibles along with medications, seek medical help promptly. Carefully monitor the timing and dosage of both THC and medications.

Medications that may interact with edibles

While most common prescription and over-the-counter medications do not have direct contraindications with edibles, the following drugs warrant extra precautions:

Sedatives

THC can enhance the sedative effects of medications like:

  • Benzodiazepines e.g., Xanax, Ativan, Valium
  • Sleep aids e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone
  • Barbiturates e.g., phenobarbital
  • Antihistamines e.g., Benadryl, dimenhydrinate

Consuming edibles with sedatives can cause excessive drowsiness, impaired coordination, slowed breathing, and even coma in rare cases.

Pain medications

Using edibles along with opioid painkillers like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl can amplify their effects and side effects. This increases risks of overdose and respiratory depression.

Antidepressants

Some antidepressants interact with THC leading to greater side effects:

  • SSRIs e.g., Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro
  • SNRIs e.g., Effexor, Cymbalta
  • Tricyclic antidepressants e.g., Elavil, Tofranil
  • MAO inhibitors e.g., Nardil, Marplan, Emsam

Using edibles with such drugs can heighten psychiatric effects like anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, hypomania symptoms.

Stimulants

Stimulant medications used for ADHD, narcolepsy e.g., Adderall, Ritalin, amphetamines – can interact with cannabis causing greater psychoactive effects and potentially cardiovascular side effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Blood thinners

Edibles may enhance the anticoagulant effects of warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, apixaban leading to a higher risk of bleeding. More INR monitoring is required if using warfarin.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs that suppress the immune system like prednisone, cyclosporine, TNF inhibitors – used after organ transplants or for autoimmune disorders – can potentially interact with cannabis. Though the effects are unclear, it is best to limit edible dosage.

Cholesterol drugs

Statins like atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and fibrates like fenofibrate used for treating high cholesterol have a possible interaction with THC that can increase their side effects like muscle pain.

Blood pressure medications

Antihypertensives like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers – may have an additive effect with edibles leading to increased hypotension and higher risk of falls.

Antibiotics

Rifampin, ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics that use the CYP450 enzyme system may competitively inhibit the metabolism of THC, raising its serum levels in the body.

Antipsychotics

THC can oppose the effects of antipsychotics like haloperidol used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It may lower their effectiveness.

Anticonvulsants

Seizure medications like valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, etc. may have unknown interactions with cannabis that can increase side effects.

Asthma inhalers

Theophylline and similar bronchodilators may have minor interactions with edibles. Concurrent use can worsen tachycardia, tremors, agitation.

Is it safe to use edibles with all medications?

While most common over-the-counter and prescription drugs can be safely used with edibles in moderation, it is still best to exercise some caution. Consuming edibles along with certain specific medications requires extra care and monitoring.

Some key examples of drugs that need extra precautions:

  • Lithium – Used for bipolar disorder. May interact with THC increasing side effects.
  • Metformin – Diabetes drug. Cannabis can alter glycemic control.
  • Theophylline – Asthma medication. Concurrent use can increase tachycardia, tremors.
  • Disulfiram – For alcoholism. Using edibles can cause a reaction.
  • Fluoxetine – Antidepressant Prozac. Can inhibit THC metabolism.
  • Warfarin – Blood thinner. Needs extra INR monitoring.
  • Clobazam – Seizure med. May increase THC levels.
  • Amiodarone – Antiarrhythmic. Can affect heart rate.
  • Digoxin – For heart failure. May impact heart rate, rhythm.

Those on high-risk medications like MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc. should altogether avoid using edibles or do so very cautiously under medical guidance.

What are the potential side effects of mixing edibles with medications?

Some potential side effects and risks of using edibles along with certain medications include:

  • Excessive drowsiness – With sedatives, sleep aids.
  • Lightheadedness – With blood pressure medications.
  • Increased heart rate – With stimulants, bronchodilators.
  • Respiratory depression – With painkillers, sedatives.
  • Motor coordination issues – With sedatives, analgesics.
  • Anxiety or panic – With antidepressants, stimulants.
  • Heightened psychiatric symptoms – With antipsychotics, antidepressants.
  • Tachycardia – With stimulants, asthma medications.
  • Increased INR – With blood thinners like warfarin.
  • Risk of seizures – With tramadol, some antibiotics.
  • Fainting – With certain heart medications, diuretics.

If any unusual reactions occur after eating edibles along with your regular medications, consult a doctor immediately. Do not further increase the dosage of either substance on your own.

Tips for using edibles safely with medications

Here are some tips to use THC edibles safely if you are on certain medications:

  • Check with your doctor about potential drug interactions.
  • Start with a low dose of THC, 2.5-5mg is ideal for beginners.
  • Wait for 2-3 hours between consuming edibles and medications.
  • Avoid edibles if your medication has serious interaction risks.
  • Hydrate well and have some carbohydrates to avoid feeling too high.
  • Abstain from driving or operating machinery when combining THC with sedatives or analgesics.
  • Have someone accompany you till you know how the effects feel.
  • Keep monitoring your symptoms and side effects.
  • Maintain a diary to identify any positive or negative reaction patterns.
  • Consult your healthcare provider regarding any concerns.

Following dosage guidelines carefully and being watchful of your response can help minimize any risks when using edibles with medications. But abstaining altogether is safest if your drugs have known serious interactions with cannabis.

What medications should you avoid edibles with?

While most common prescription medications can be used safely with edibles in moderation, some specific drug categories are best avoided:

MAO inhibitors

MAO inhibitors like phenelzine, tranylcypromine used for depression – can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with THC which also increases serotonin.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Amitriptyline, nortriptyline used for depression – may increase the risk of mania and cardiovascular side effects.

Antipsychotics

Drugs like haloperidol, chlorpromazine used for schizophrenia – should not be used with cannabis which can worsen psychiatric symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

THC used along with Xanax, lorazepam, diazepam can dangerously enhance sedation.

Opioids

Morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl combined with edibles substantially increase the risks of overdose.

Muscle relaxants

Soma, cyclobenzaprine interact with THC to amplify their muscle relaxant effects.

Digoxin

Consuming edibles with digoxin used for treating heart failure may lead to irregular heart rhythm issues.

Disulfiram

Antabuse used for alcoholism can cause a severe reaction if cannabis edibles are consumed concurrently.

Theophylline

Edibles should not be taken along with this asthma medication, as it can worsen tremors, tachycardia, agitation, etc.

So while most drugs are safe for cautious use with edibles, these categories warrant complete avoidance or extreme care under medical guidance if using THC.

Key takeaways on consuming edibles with medications

To summarize key points on using edibles safely with medications:

  • There are no absolute contraindications for most common prescription or over-the-counter medications. But some need precautions.
  • Start with low 2.5-5mg THC doses first if combining with medications.
  • Avoid edibles with drugs that cause sedation like benzos, sleep aids, muscle relaxants.
  • Do not use edibles along with MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics.
  • Watch for side effects like drowsiness, tachycardia, respiratory depression, hypotension.
  • Monitor blood pressure and heart rate for irregularities.
  • Have someone accompany you when first using edibles with medications.
  • Consult a doctor immediately if you experience concerning symptoms like seizure, fainting, etc.
  • Edibles are best avoided altogether with high-risk medications unless your doctor approves.

With careful dosage control and monitoring for side effects, most edibles can be consumed cautiously along with medications for many people. But for drugs with serious interactions, it is safest to avoid combining them with cannabis.

The bottom line

While using edibles after taking common medications is possible for many people, exercise appropriate caution. Start with low doses, monitor your response, avoid edibles with alcohol or high-risk drugs, and seek medical guidance when unsure. Being well-informed and judicious is key to safely enjoying edibles along with your regular pharmaceutical drugs.

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