Cannabidiol and oral contraceptive pills – exploring a drug-drug interaction
Contraception
Awarded 2020
Complex Family Planning Fellowship Research
Shaalini Ramanadhan, MD
Oregon Health and Science University
$14,846

Cannabidiol (CBD) use has increased markedly in recent years and the compound is found in many new supplements and foods.  Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) likely share a metabolic pathway with CBD via the CYP3A4 enzyme.  As a result, a drug-drug interaction may exist and CBD may be an inducer or inhibitor of the CYP3A4 enzyme, impacting OCP metabolism.  This study will be a double-blind randomized cross over study exploring the drug-drug interaction between CBD and OCPs. Specifically, we will be investigating the pharmacokinetics and pharmcodynamics of ethinyl estradiol and leveonorgestrel in the context of CBD use.  Understanding how CBD may impact OCP metabolism is important for women who use both substances to know.