What Are Common Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often used to treat and prevent the contraction or spread of bacterial infections, not viral infections such as the common cold. According to the NHS, antibiotics are used in order to clear up a problem such as acne, prevent spread of conditions such as chlamydia, speed up recovery in conditions such as a kidney infection or post-surgery and reduce risks of serious infections and subsequent complications such as pneumonia as well as post-surgery risks. The NHS and the CDC also advise selective antibiotic use in order to minimize the spread of drug-resistant organisms.
There are hundreds of antibiotics with the potential to react with cannabis. Penn State News published a study which identified 139 common pharmaceutical medications that have the potential to react with cannabis. However, just because they only identified 139 out of hundreds does not mean that there is no risk of negative interactions among the rest. The following pharmaceuticals are the top ten most commonly used antibiotics, which will be looked at against the Penn State list.
Common Antibiotics:
- Metronidazole
- Levofloxacin
Dr. Vrana and the rest of the research team wanted to provide physicians with comprehensive information to make safe prescription choices for the sake of their patients. Dr. Vrana stated that its important for medical professionals to consider the list when prescribing medical cannabinoids and how it may affect other medications a patient is taking.
How Do I Know If Im At Risk For An Interaction
Patients should look up the specific medication theyre consuming to see if it uses the metabolic pathway CYP450. If it does utilize CYP450, then there is a risk of cannabis drug interactions.
Fortunately, most people do not experience a significant interaction when even when combining cannabis with macrolide antibiotics. Additionally, interactions are usually dose dependent, so the higher dose of cannabis you consume, the greater the risk.
Still because interactions are possible, consumers should be aware of what could happen
New to Medical Marijuana? READ THIS: Cannabis 101.
What Can Happen When You Mix Cannabis And Antibiotics
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before mixing cannabis with an antibiotic
When you mix cannabis and antibiotics there are a few things that might happen, depending on the type of antibiotics used. While there is some strong preclinical evidence to suggest that combining cannabis with antibiotics can actually increase the effectiveness against certain orgasmisms, human studies on the topic are virtually nonexistent. 7The truth is there is very little way to know if its the cannabis causing any of these side effects. Based on the research and clinical concerns raised in the scientific literature, mixing the two may cause:
- Increased side effects from THC 8
- Anxiety
- Tendon and joint issues
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Taking More Than One Medication Can Cause The Same Issue
It should be noted that medication interactions due to the CYP450 pathway are common. Every day, patients are prescribed numerous medications that all utilize the same pathway without consideration of overtaxing the system. The use of multiple prescription medications can present the same issues as combining marijuana with prescription medication.
Answering The Question: Is It Safe To Use Marijuana With Antibiotics
Evidence from research about the compatibility between marijuana and antibiotics is limited due to the absence of clinical studies. Especially so, there are no medical reports on people suffering from adverse effects of using marijuana alongside some antibiotics. Fair to say, were all suffering from a shocking shortage of research, although theres continued concern for the medical use of cannabis.
Cannabinoids typically have antibacterial properties far much varied from antibiotic properties. In fact, one study points out a variety of MRSA strains against the potent activity of five major cannabinoids, including CBD and THC.
In that regard, the physical act of smoking cannabis would irritate parts of the respiratory system. That hypothetically affects the activity of antibiotic medications on the bacteria-prone parts. Nonetheless, there are alternative non-smoking ways of consuming marijuana that include taking them as edibles in foods, drinks, and cookies.
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How Do They Affect Your Body
Antibiotics fight bacterial infections by either killing bacteria or slowing and suspending its growth. They do this by blocking protein production in bacteria, attacking the wall or coating surrounding the bacteria, or interfering with the bacterial growth.
Overuse of antibiotics can result in your body building a resistance to these medications. Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria can no longer be controlled or eliminated by certain medications. In some cases, this can result in no effective treatments for certain conditions.
Each year, 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in at least 23,000 deaths.
When taking antibiotics it is always important to follow the directions carefully. Always finish your prescription, even if you feel better. Stopping the medication too soon can result in some of the bacteria surviving and regenerating to re-infect you. Never share your medications with others and never save them for later.
When Not To Use Antibiotics With Marijuana
If your doctor advises against using cannabis with antibiotics, always follow their instructions. There are instances in which marijuana may actually exacerbate the problem and compromise your general health. Most notably, you want to avoid smoking or vaping marijuana if youre taking antibiotics to treat a lung or respiratory infection. The smoke or chemicals can irritate the organs that antibiotics are trying to treat.
In cases where smoking and vaping are contraindicated, there are other ways to consume medical cannabis without irritating your respiratory system. Edibles are one example tinctures are another. Just be mindful of the dosage, as these delivery systems can be more potent than smoking or vaping.
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Can You Smoke Weed On Antibiotics
We all know you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking a course of antibiotics, but what about smoking weed? Cannabis certainly has a better overall safety profile than booze, but compounds within the plant can interact with an array of other drugs. Below, youll find out how cannabis influences drug metabolism, and if its advisable to consume THC or CBD while taking antibiotics.
Can You Smoke Weed On Antibiotic Medication
You can smoke weed on antibiotic medication only when approved by your physician. As several studies indicate, prescription drugs have the potential to interact with cannabinoids. So, if your medical condition requires you to use antibiotics and weed at the same time, itâs best to consult a physician for the same.
With the help of telemedicine, you can now connect with reliable clinics such as Online Medical Card and get professional guidance at home. The doctor will evaluate your condition and help you understand if you can smoke weed on antibiotics or not.
From the little that we know, it can be said that medical cannabis doesnât really have any severely adverse effects on the user when taken alongside antibiotics However, as doctors have established that grapefruit has similar metabolic processes to CBD or cannabis, whatever medication is not advisable to be taken with it should also not be taken with medical marijuana. This tip can help you avoid unfortunate incidents.
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Final Thoughts On Marijuana And Antibiotics
Before mixing medical cannabis while taking antibiotics, consult with your doctor. While it shouldn’t be a problem, it’s always best to play it safe. As long as you use the correct consumption method and are aware of the adverse effects of marijuana and antibiotics, the risk for negative interactions should be lowered.
Can Marijuana And Antibiotics Be Used Together
If youve ever gotten sick, there is a good chance that you have been prescribed antibiotics before. When describing the procedures of taking these medications, your physician will warn you about combining the medication with alcohol but what about with marijuana?
The use of medical marijuana was approved in 2016 for Floridians who suffer from a state-approved qualifying condition. If you are suffering and want to see if getting your Florida medical marijuana card is a viable option, taking this pre-qualifying survey will allow you to see if you are eligible for getting your recommendation from a Florida Medical Marijuana Physician.
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Cannabis Use And Other Drug Interactions
Thankfully, there is some reliable research regarding cannabis use and different meds, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. With the legalization of recreational and/or medical marijuana when nearly anyone can buy weed from a dispensary, being informed about drug interactions with cannabis is important.
The major cannabinoids THC and CBD may have many benefits, but they could still cause some adverse side effects when mixed with anticoagulants, antihistamines, opioids, beta-blockers, and others. You can find the full list of major and moderate drug interactions with cannabis here.
Benefits Of A Weed Tolerance Break
The human body needs a break from time to time. This is especially true if the human body is constantly in contact with Cannabis.
For those who need to take a Cannabis break, there are three different ways they can do it: abstinence, micro-dosing, and tapering.
The first option is abstinence from Cannabis for a set amount of time. The second option is micro-dosing which means taking less but often. The third option is tapering, which means lowering the dose over time until it reaches zero.
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What Are Antibiotics And How Do They Affect The Body
An antibiotic is a term used to stop or kill the growth of microorganisms in the body. Doctors usually prescribe it to fight against bacterial infections. Some bacteria are suitable for the body, while some are not. Marijuana is something pervasive in the US. For many people, it acts as a health benefit providing various pain reliefs.
So Should You Consume Weed With Antibiotics
According to Roycroft it shouldnt cause any issues when mixing your marijuana with antibiotics. You may however feel an increase in the side effects of the antibiotics you are taking.
Most doctors will say that if grapefruit can cause an issue with antibiotics then cannabis may not be the smartest decision. However, there is no direct proof that indicates that marijuana can cause issues with antibiotics.
If you are suffering from a lung or respiratory infection then putting smoke into your body is probably not the smartest idea, so be your own judge and put your pipe down and grab some edibles as a different option.
When you have been prescribed antibiotics you are most likely suffering from some form of illness so taking it easy should also be on the mind. If you still choose to consume marijuana take it easy no reason to push the limits and see how high you can get when your body is trying to recover.
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What About Taking Cbd
Interestingly, studies have shown that CBD may, in fact, actually have antibiotic properties. Newsweek reports that Australian scientists have discovered that cannabidiol killed numerous strains of bacteria, including some that have been notoriously resistant to traditional antibiotics. But so far, it still seems like CBD has a long way to go, in terms of replacing antibiotics altogether.
We still dont know how it works, and it may have a unique mechanism of action given it works against bacteria that have become resistant to other antibiotics, but we still dont know how, Mark Blaskovich, senior research chemist at the Centre for Superbug Solutions, told Newsweek.
So far, we have only shown it works topically, on the skin surface. To be really useful, it would be good if we could show that it treated systemic infections e.g. pneumonia, or complicated tissue infections, where you have to give it orally or by intravenous dosing. A very preliminary study didnt show that it works in these more difficult models.
Smoking While Taking Antibiotics: How Harmful Is It
Most smokers and non-smokers are aware of the negative health effects of cigarette smoking. It is clearly stated in the simplest TV advertisement from tobacco cigarette manufacturers that smoking can kill, causes cancer, and may hurt your children.
Visual ads and graphic materials make sure that the general idea of the harms of smoking sinks into our brain. However, how about smoking when taking prescribed antibiotics? Is there a direct connection between the two?
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What Are The Risks Involved While Taking Cannabis With Antibiotics
The antibiotics are still active doesnt mean that there are no risks involved while consuming cannabis. The working of various drugs is different. The pathway was processing the cannabis in the same in many prescriptions, including the antibiotics one. Although sometimes the metabolisms can be different, they wont interact negatively with cannabis.
How Does Weed Effect The Potency Of Penicillin
The way in which the body absorbs and process penicillin may be affected by weed. Therefore, the potency of the penicillin may be less effective. Marijuana inhibits the metabolization of penicillin. Not having the right potency of penicillin means a person may either have a delay in the relief of their underlying symptoms.
A person seeking penicillin medication that uses weed should speak to their doctor. It is important the doctor knows about a patients weed use, so they can prescribe the right penicillin medication and strength. Or depending on level of interactions they may opt to prescribe a totally different medication. It is important for the doctor to know about their patients marijuana use. Weed is being legalized around the US, so doctors should be open to speaking about a patients use of it.
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Can Cannabis Actually Be An Alternative To Antibiotics
Interestingly, cannabis actually holds potential as an antibiotic all on its own. Many cannabinoids and terpenes have antibacterial effects, including terpenes like linalool, limonene, and -pinene and cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBN, CBC,and CBG. The acid forms of many of these cannabinoids, like CBDA, CBGA, and THCA, may hold their own value as antimicrobials as well. 10
Some researchers are even considering cannabis as an alternative to our antibiotics particularly for strains of bacteria that are resistant to conventional antibiotics like Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also known as MRSA. In some cases, cannabis can actually be more effective than conventional antibiotics when bacteria has become resistant to these commonly used treatments. Researchers say we need alternatives like this so we can continue to fight against these resistant strains and cannabis could be an ideal next option both alone or in combination with modern antibiotics. 11
That being said, its absolutely not recommended to simply swap out cannabis for a course of antibiotics. We dont have any research that suggests any particular cannabis treatment would be effective as an antibiotic alternative. Depending on the severity of the infection, making this choice could lead to a worsening infection, which could lead to serious illness or even death.
What About Other Antibacterial Cannabinoids
THC often occupies the limelight when it comes to cannabis research. Of course, its psychotropic status is always a hot topic of debate. While some users appreciate these effects, non-psychotropic cannabinoids are more attractive to researchers as they dont expose patients to such side effects.
| CBD |
|---|
|
CBD, or cannabidiol, produces no high. Instead, users report a clear-headed effect that doesnt impair cognitive function. CBD has become the focus of hundreds of studies exploring its possible benefits, including its action against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2021 paper titled The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol marked some serious progress in this domain. The data documents CBDs potential to combat gram-negative urgent threat bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. |
| CBG |
| Have you ever heard of cannabigerol, aka CBG? Its acidic form, CBGA, is known as the mother cannabinoid. This non-psychotropic molecule serves as the chemical precursor to other cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. Researchers have also investigated CBG for its antibiotic potential, with studies comparing it against vancomycina medication used to treat numerous types of bacterial infectionsin mouse models of MRSA. |
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When Is It Ok To Smoke Weed On Antibiotics If Ever
The first question you may be asking is whether or not its safe to smoke Weed while on antibiotics. The answer is that smoking Marijuana while taking certain antibiotics will increase the risk of developing a resistant strain of bacteria.
You can also use Weed to combat nausea and make users more relaxed, leading to better sleep. Marijuana use may also help with chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. It might also relieve symptoms of depression and PTSD in some patients and improve chemotherapy-induced nausea symptoms in cancer patients.
Edibles As An Alternative To Smoking Cannabis
Most people would get skeptical about consuming such foods with the fear that itd affect them or alter their metabolism, but rather, theyre usually safe and metered. Edibles are foods having a cannabis derivatives infusion, including THC or CBD. Its a chemical integration of cannabis extracts to offer more than the normal food could offer. Usually, theyre manufactured under supervised conditions, and the process is overseen by qualified professionals and quality standards, leaving no room for chance. Infusion, however, isnt some chemical experiment that some big company puts in your food, as you might think.
That isnt quite the case.
In fact, its seemingly the opposite. Edibles are the foods you can make in your kitchen and are completely safe to consume. To cook anything, you can use it in oils, including infused cannabis oil or cannabutter. Many other types of cannabis oils, including CBD, can be ideal for you if youre not impartial to edibles. Sometimes, the body can refuse to assimilate some edibles, and that disarrays you if you have no alternative options to run to.
CBD oil as an alternative to smoking cannabis
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