Cannabidiol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 23, 2023.

What are other common names?

• Cannabaceae
• Cannabidiol Oil
• CBD
• CBD Oil
• CBD Oil Hemp Oil
• CBD Oil Tincture
• Hemp Oil

What is this product used for?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, comes from the cannabis plant. It contains little to no chemicals that are in marijuana that cause changes in your mind like moods, thoughts, or behavior. The prescription drug form of CBD is used together with other prescription drugs to help control some kinds of seizures. Other forms of CBD are allowed to be sold in the US as a cosmetic to make your body more attractive. It is currently not legal to sell CBD products in the US as a dietary supplement or as food. No information from medical studies supports the use of CBD for other health problems.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Be sure to tell you doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.

• Do not take this product with grapefruit juice because the risk of side effects of CBD may be increased.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with pain, swelling, or inflammation. Taking these with CBD can increase your risk of side effects. These are drugs like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Take extra care if you are taking certain drugs to help with diabetes, cancer, or heart problems. Taking these with CBD can increase your risk of side effects. These are drugs like estrogens and phytoestrogens, prazosin, rosuvastatin, sulfasalazine, or tacrolimus.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with seizures. Taking these with CBD can increase your risk of side effects. These are drugs like brivaracetam, clobazam, or valproate.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with low mood. Taking CBD with the drug citalopram can increase your risk of side effects. Taking CBD with the product St John’s wort may decrease the effect of St John’s wort.

• Take extra care if you are taking certain drugs to help thin your blood. Taking these with CBD can increase your risk of bleeding. These are drugs like cilostazol or warfarin.

• Take extra care if you are taking the drug clopidogrel to help thin your blood. CBD may cause it to not work as well and can increase your risk of blood clots.

• This product may cause you to be sleepy or tired. Take extra care driving and doing tasks where you need to be alert.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Bleeding problems

  • Nervousness or anxiety

  • Seizures

  • Liver problems

  • Low mood or depression

  • Low iron in your blood

  • Parkinson disease

What should I watch for?

• Sleepiness during the day

• Difficulty sleeping at night

• Decreased appetite or weight loss

• Dry mouth

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include a very bad rash; wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of low blood pressure like feeling dizzy, weak, or tired; fainting; more thirst; or skin that is pale, cool, and clammy

• Signs of mental health problems. These include very low mood, feeling restless, sleep problems, loss of motivation, difficulty concentrating, not wanting to be around people, hearing voices, seeing things that are not really there, or having thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

• Signs of liver problems like upset stomach or throwing up, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, not hungry.

• Bruising or bleeding that is not normal.

• Blood in your stools or dark, tarry colored stools.

• Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.

• Very bad loose stools.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-04-01

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer