CBD oil, which can be made from hemp plants, has been making headline news for a while now. It should be noted that these products can result in a positive drug test. With CBD increasing in popularity, many different forms of it have been made and it has left a lot of people asking one very important question: which kind is right for me? In this update, we’ll shed some more light on some available forms of CBD that Bremo Pharmacy carries and who might benefit from them.
Oils and Tinctures
These two formulations are similar, but are also different. Oils tend to be slightly thicker than the tincture. There are flavored oils and tinctures that exist, which helps provide a variety of options for people wanting to try these products and looking for a certain taste. Both forms are great for people that have a harder time swallowing pills or capsules, and also come with other benefits, including a potentially faster onset than if you were to swallow a capsule. In terms of the difference between oils and tinctures, there is one glaring difference; that difference is how tinctures contain a fair amount of alcohol, so you’ll have to keep in mind whether any medications you’re taking are not allowed to be taken with alcohol or whether the alcohol may alter how your medication works. The tincture tends to be used by individuals to support sleep quality due to the slight alcohol content. Administration of these products under the tongue also allows for a reduction in drug-drug interactions, compared to oral products.
Creams and Lotions
Like oils and tinctures, cream and lotion formulations may provide relief to conditions that affect the entire body. Because they’re applied topically, they may be absorbed into the body faster since they do not require consumption, but may not be as fast-acting as the oil and tincture formulations. While these formulations may be used to support whole body conditions, they may also be used to support pain in one location. An example would be if you had knee pain and applied this product to that location. Whether or not it may work on conditions affecting the whole body will depend on the amount applied. These formulations are also less likely to interact with oral medications because this formulation is being absorbed differently.
Capsules
This formulation is used much like everyday medications. It’s taken the same way oral medications are taken and are taken if the user is trying to obtain relief from conditions that affect the entire body. This form of CBD may take longer to take effect than the oil and tinctures that go under the tongue because the capsules have to be broken down and absorbed first. With these formulations, you have to be mindful of any oral medications you are currently taking due to the increased potential of a drug-drug interaction since they’re being taken by the same route.
Edible Gummies
This formulation is for people who want a more casual and quick form of CBD oil. Gummies are something that can be kept in your bag for quick access and they also have the added benefit of being available in multiple flavors. The many flavors available to people is something that makes this form one of the more popular options. Another benefit of this form is you may be a person that is unable to swallow capsules or pills due to size, but still have the ability to chew and swallow. That makes this product more appealing to anyone that fits this scenario. Ensure these gummies are stored in a room temperature environment because prolonged exposure to heat may decrease any benefit this product may offer. It’s also worth noting this product is an oral product, so you will need to be mindful of any oral medications you are taking while using this product, as they may result in an increased potential for a drug-drug interaction since they’re being taken by the same route. Be sure to keep this product out of reach of children since the gummies resemble candy and may be tempting to them to consume.
Inhaled Products
Finally, there is the inhaled formulation of CBD, which comes in either oil or dried hemp plant. While Bremo Pharmacy does not carry any formulations that can be smoked, they do exist. The liquid formulation of CBD oil can be used with some vaporizers or “vapes/e-cigarettes” as a means to get a quicker effect and get more of the product to be absorbed. This inhalant is taken into the lungs and bypasses the digestion process, which occurs with capsules. The primary issue with vaping is the contaminants present in the liquid and the variable quality of the products. If you have asthma, this route is not recommended, as with smoking it may worsen asthma or cause an asthma attack to occur. Because this product is bypassing the oral route, there is less concern for a drug-drug interaction with this formulation.
Interactions
While CBD oil and its numerous formulations are not regulated by the FDA, it’s important to note it may interact with different medications. This list is not all-inclusive, but does include commonly used medications that people take and whether they should avoid using CBD oil products with these medications.
| Medication | Potential drug-drug interactions | Use/Use with Caution/Avoid |
| Clobazam (Onfi) | Major | Use under physician supervision |
| Valproate (Divalproex) | Major | Avoid Use |
| Aspirin | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Citalopram (Celexa) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Clonazepam (Klonopin) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Clopidogrel (Plavix) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Fentanyl (Duragesic) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Lorazepam (Ativan) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Rufinamide (Banzel) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Topiramate (Topamax) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Warfarin (Coumadin) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Zolpidem (Ambien) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
| Zonisamide (Zonegran) | Moderate | Use with Caution |
