INTRODUCTION

Cannabis is an increasingly popular recreational and medicinal drug in the USA. While cannabis is still a Schedule 1 drug federally, many states have lifted the ban on its use. With its increased usage, there is an increased possibility for potential drug-drug interactions (DDI) that may occur with concomitant use of cannabis and pharmaceuticals.

AREA COVERED

This review focuses on the current knowledge of cannabis induced DDI, with a focus on pharmacokinetic DDI arising from enzyme inhibition or induction. Phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes, specifically cytochrome P450s, carboxylesterases, and uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases, have historically been the focus of research in this field, with much of the current knowledge of the potential for cannabis to induce DDI within these families of enzymes coming from enzyme inhibition studies. Together with a limited number of clinical studies and investigations, current research suggests that cannabis exhibits the potential to induce DDI under certain circumstances.

EXPERT OPINION

Based upon the current literature, there is a strong potential for cannabis-induced DDI among major drug-metabolizing enzymes.