Drug interactions
Cannabidiol + Irinotecan
Severity: Moderate
Cannabidiol and Irinotecan: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cannabidiol can inhibit and induce several enzymes, and in vitro it also inhibits UGT1A1, which inactivates SN-38. Irinotecan toxicity could increase, but clinical data are lacking.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cannabidiol and Irinotecan can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cannabidiol belongs to Central Nervous System; Irinotecan belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Cannabidiol may inhibit UGT1A1 and CYP enzymes, potentially raising SN-38 exposure; the net effect is not established.
What to do
Monitor for diarrhoea and neutropenia, and reduce the irinotecan dose if toxicity develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Irinotecan
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Irinotecan + Sacituzumab govitecan Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Irinotecan Major
- Apalutamide + Irinotecan Major
- Atazanavir + Irinotecan Major
- Carbamazepine + Irinotecan Major
Other interactions of Cannabidiol
- Cannabidiol + Phenytoin Major
- Cannabidiol + Sodium valproate Major
- Cannabidiol + Tacrolimus Major
- Abiraterone + Cannabidiol Moderate
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Cannabidiol Moderate
- Amiodarone + Cannabidiol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cannabidiol with Irinotecan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cannabidiol and Irinotecan can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cannabidiol can inhibit and induce several enzymes, and in vitro it also inhibits UGT1A1, which inactivates SN-38. Irinotecan toxicity could increase, but clinical data are lacking.
How serious is the interaction between Cannabidiol and Irinotecan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for diarrhoea and neutropenia, and reduce the irinotecan dose if toxicity develops.
What other medicines interact with Irinotecan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Irinotecan with, for example, Clozapine, Sacituzumab govitecan, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live. The full list is on the Irinotecan page.
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