Ibuprofen and Cannabis: Interactions, Benefits, Risks and Safety Tips

What is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is a common over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. The active ingredient in ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called ibuprofen. It works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, chemicals in the body that promote pain, fever and inflammation.

Some of the most common uses and dosages of ibuprofen include:

• Headaches - 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
• Minor body aches and pains - 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
• Fever - 200 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
• Muscle/joint injuries - 400-600 mg every 6-8 hours as needed
• Menstrual cramps - 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
• Toothaches - 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed

Ibuprofen is available under brand names like Advil, Motrin, and Midol, as well as generic store brands. It comes in tablet, caplet, liquid gel, chewable and suspension forms. The standard ibuprofen tablet is 200 mg.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis refers to products derived from the cannabis plant, including marijuana and hemp. The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, which are active compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to produce various effects.

The two most abundant and well-studied cannabinoids are:

• THC - The psychoactive compound responsible for the "high" feeling. It also has anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and anti-nausea effects.
• CBD - The non-psychoactive compound used for medical purposes. It has anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects.

The cannabis plant can be used medically and recreationally in various forms like oils, edibles, capsules, concentrates, topicals and dried flower that can be smoked or vaped.

Is It Safe to Take Ibuprofen and Cannabis Together?

There is limited research on the effects of mixing ibuprofen and cannabis. However, some key points to consider include:

• Ibuprofen is processed by the kidneys and liver, while THC is processed mostly by the liver. So there is little competition for breakdown between the two substances.
• Studies have not found a direct contraindication or interaction between ibuprofen and THC/CBD.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests some patients use ibuprofen and cannabis together without issues.
• Both substances are associated with minor side effects like drowsiness, dizziness and stomach irritation. These side effects may be compounded when combining the two.

While occasional, short-term use of ibuprofen with cannabis is unlikely to cause problems in most people, some considerations include:

Blood Thinning

NSAID medications like ibuprofen interfere with blood clotting and increase bleeding risk. CBD also has mild blood thinning properties. Using the two together could compound this effect in some people, increasing bruising or bleeding.

Liver Function

Long-term high-dose use of ibuprofen may impact liver function. Heavy, frequent cannabis use can also increase liver fat. Combining the two could potentially have detrimental effects on liver health over time, especially in high doses.

Kidney Function

NSAIDs like ibuprofen rarely cause kidney issues in healthy people at standard doses. But in people with kidney disease, ibuprofen may worsen kidney function. The impact of cannabis on the kidneys is still being studied but may also be detrimental to kidney health in some cases.

Central Nervous System Depression

Both ibuprofen and cannabis can cause drowsiness and cognitive impairment, particularly at high doses. Combining the two may exacerbate these side effects.

Increased Side Effects

As with many drug combinations, using ibuprofen and cannabis together could potentially increase adverse side effects like impaired coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety and gastrointestinal upset.

Risks and Precautions

While occasional use of ibuprofen with cannabis is likely safe for most people, certain populations should use extra caution or avoid the combination altogether. This includes:

• People with liver disease or kidney disease
• Individuals with blood clotting disorders
• People taking blood thinners or other NSAID medications
• Those with mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression
• People with substance abuse disorders or addiction tendencies
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Children and teenagers

It's also wise to start with low doses of both ibuprofen and cannabis when using them together for the first time to assess effects and side effects.

Potential Benefits of Using Ibuprofen and Cannabis

While research is still very limited, some data does suggest combining ibuprofen and cannabis could potentially have therapeutic effects in certain situations when used cautiously under medical guidance. Some potential benefits may include:

Pain Relief

For chronic pain conditions, the combination of ibuprofen for immediate analgesia along with cannabis for long-term anti-inflammatory pain relief may help provide enhanced, multimodal pain management.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of both ibuprofen and some cannabinoids, using them together could potentially have a greater influence on reducing inflammation involved in some conditions like arthritis, colitis and headaches.

Anti-Nausea

Combining ibuprofen for pain relief with cannabis anti-nausea effects may help some people experience better relief from painful GI conditions like dysmenorrhea or Crohns disease that are also accompanied by nausea symptoms.

Improved Sleep

The sedative effects of cannabis coupled with ibuprofens pain-relieving actions may enable some people to get better sleep when using both rather than either medication alone.

Anxiety Reduction

In low doses, cannabis may help reduce anxiety triggered by pain, and allow some patients to better tolerate treatment with ibuprofen or other pharmaceuticals.

Addiction Mitigation

For patients prone to narcotic addiction, cannabis may provide a safer alternative or adjunct to more addictive pain medication regimens.

Other Alternative Pain Medications

For those who cant use cannabis or want alternatives to ibuprofen for relieving pain and inflammation, some other options include:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - does not reduce inflammation but can help relieve headaches, fevers and body aches.
• Aspirin - an NSAID like ibuprofen that reduces pain, fever and inflammation.
• Naproxen (Aleve) - an NSAID that works similarly to ibuprofen.
• Celecoxib (Celebrex) - a selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID that may have fewer side effects than ibuprofen for some people.
• Diclofenac - an NSAID gel or patch applied topically to treat localized pain.
• Lidocaine patches - numbing medication for topical/localized pain relief.
• Supplements like glucosamine, turmeric, omega-3s.
• Physical therapy and exercise.
• Mind-body therapies like CBT, biofeedback, meditation.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication, including ibuprofen and cannabis. Overall, more research is still needed on the effects and safety profile of combining ibuprofen with medical cannabis.

The Bottom Line

Based on limited current evidence and usage reports, it appears occasional or short-term use of ibuprofen with cannabis is unlikely to cause serious problems for most healthy adults when low doses are used responsibly. However, for high-risk groups, or with chronic use of both substances together, there may be enhanced side effects and long-term health risks.

Patients who have been advised to avoid NSAID medications or use caution when taking them should treat cannabis with the same consideration, and always inform their doctor about cannabis use with other medications. Since ibuprofen and cannabis share some similar actions and side effects, starting with modest doses of each when using them in combination is prudent to assess how a particular individual responds. More research is still required to fully understand if and how these two medications may interact.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.