With more people turning to cannabis for medical relief, many wonder if it’s safe to combine weed with prescription medications like prednisone. Prednisone is a potent corticosteroid that helps combat inflammation and regulate the immune system.
Cannabis also has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties, making the idea of combining the two appealing for people managing chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and flare-ups.
But because both substances interact with the body in complex ways—including being processed by the same liver enzymes—it’s essential to understand the potential risks and benefits before using them together.
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that helps manage a variety of immune-related health conditions. Doctors prescribe corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids or steroids, to reduce inflammation throughout the body. It can help people who have low or even normal levels of corticosteroids.
Doctors may prescribe prednisone alone or with other medications to replace missing corticosteroids in people whose bodies don’t produce enough. It works by reducing inflammation and altering the immune system’s response throughout the body. In people with low steroid levels, prednisone acts as a substitute for the natural hormones their bodies lack.
For example, they may combine prednisone with antacids to prevent ulcers, or with antibiotics to manage a specific type of pneumonia in people with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Prednisone also manages several conditions in people with normal corticosteroid levels. These include:
Doctors also use prednisone to help manage immune and inflammatory conditions that affect the:
Prednisone comes in several forms taken by mouth, such as the following:
You’ll usually take prednisone with food one to four times a day, or sometimes every other day. Your doctor will instruct you on exactly when and how often to take it, based on your specific condition and your response to treatment. There are specific forms and times of day when it’s best to take them to maximize effectiveness, so be sure to closely follow all their instructions.
Before starting prednisone, share your health information with your doctor and pharmacist to reduce the risk of complications. Inform them of any allergies, including steroid medications or ingredients in the preparations.
Also, tell them about all current or planned medications, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Any of these can interact with prednisone, potentially causing or increasing prednisone’s side effects.
The side effects of prednisone can be serious if stopped abruptly. Your doctor will give you a taper plan to come off the medicine safely, so don’t stop taking it unless they tell you to. While on the medicine, you may have temporary side effects that include:
Tell any healthcare provider—including your dentist—if you are currently taking prednisone or recently stopped, especially before surgery or emergency medical treatment. If you are taking any medications or supplements that may interfere with prednisone, your doctor or other healthcare provider may need to adjust your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
It’s a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a card indicating that you take prednisone, in case of an emergency. Also, before taking this prescription drug, it’s crucial to let your doctor know if you currently have or have ever had:
Keep in mind that prednisone can weaken your immune system and may even prevent symptoms from appearing if you do contract an infection. To stay safe, be sure to:
READ: How Marijuana Can Help You Live a Healthier Lifestyle
As both weed and antibiotics are also widely used, many people wonder about the safety of combining the two. While so far they appear safe together, the main thing is that THC is also an immunosuppressant. This means cannabis makes it harder for your body to fight infections, which may be counterproductive.
Smoking weed while taking antibiotics might not altogether cancel out the medication, but it’s still important to talk to your doctor before using both at the same time. Completing the full course of antibiotics is also crucial for preventing the development of resistance and effectively clearing the infection.
Below are some of the most commonly used antibiotics:
As cannabis use becomes more common, it’s essential to understand how it interacts with medications like antibiotics. Hundreds of antibiotics can potentially interact with medical cannabis. Similarly, antifungal medicines like amphotericin B, ketoconazole, and more can also interact with corticosteroids and THC in ways that increase or decrease levels of the medicine.
However, a study compiled by Penn State College of Medicine identified 139 common pharmaceutical drugs that may have a higher likelihood of causing adverse reactions when consuming marijuana. While the survey identified only 139 medications, this doesn’t mean there is no risk of negative interactions with other medications – but so far the others don’t appear to be clinically significant enough to be reported yet.
When using prednisone and marijuana together, it’s essential to consider both the potential benefits and risks.
Prednisone is a potent anti-inflammatory medication, while marijuana – with particular active ingredients THC and CBD – is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Due to the way these substances interact in the body, combining them requires careful consideration. Importantly, they can both reduce your ability to fight infections.
Benefits of Combining Medical Marijuana and Prednisone
Using marijuana with prednisone may offer extra anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly for people with chronic conditions like arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease. This is because cannabis may help reduce inflammation by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which can work alongside prednisone’s effects.
Research shows that cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, can also influence the immune system. Cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, affecting the activity of immune cells and cytokine production. This interaction may help manage chronic inflammatory conditions by reducing symptoms such as pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
For example, CBD may reduce symptoms in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease by lowering the production of inflammation-causing substances. Additionally, cannabis is reported to reduce opioid use in chronic pain patients, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive therapy.
For patients using prednisone for short-term flare-ups, cannabis may also ease pain and discomfort, providing a more holistic and on-demand approach to managing symptoms. Additionally, cannabis may reduce the need for higher doses of prednisone, helping to minimize some of the side effects often linked to steroids.
However, it’s always essential to consult with a healthcare provider before combining marijuana with prednisone, as each person’s body response can vary, and potential interactions should be carefully considered.
Risks of Combining Medical Marijuana and Prednisone
Combining prednisone and THC may offer some benefits, but it also carries some risks, which vary based on the individual. Both cannabis and prednisone are processed by the same enzyme system in the liver. This leads to a buildup of prednisone in the body, increasing the risk of steroid toxicity and possibly prolonging the steroid taper.
Research suggests this interaction can heighten the chances of experiencing side effects from prednisone. Combining medical marijuana and prednisone can also cause increased drowsiness, confusion, and other side effects due to their interactions.
Heavy cannabis smoking can reduce bone density when using steroids, which increases the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. For patients at higher risk of these conditions, consuming cannabis edibles or vaporizing cannabis may be a safer alternative to smoking.
While smoking cannabis or tobacco doesn’t significantly change how prednisone works in the body, doctors still typically recommend avoiding it while taking the medication.
Prednisone weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Since it’s an immunosuppressant, combining it with smoking, which can have a negative impact on lung health, potentially further increases your risk of respiratory diseases and other complications.
Instead, consuming cannabis in other forms may be a better alternative to smoking marijuana.
While we still need more research to understand how weed and prednisone work together fully, current evidence suggests they can be strong allies in fighting inflammation. However, their interaction does come with some moderate risks that you should discuss with your healthcare provider, and it may affect the dose they prescribe.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medication, especially steroids. Remember that steroids must be taken exactly as directed, including time of day, frequency, and any dosage tapering plans to prevent serious side effects – which can take weeks. This helps you avoid unwanted side effects or serious issues from increased steroid exposure or suddenly stopping corticosteroid treatment.
Some people use cannabis to manage pain or inflammation while taking prednisone. However, since both substances affect the immune system and are processed by the liver, it’s advisable to consult your doctor first to avoid increased infection risk, potential side effects, and harmful interactions.
Weed can interact with many prescription medications, especially those that are broken down by the liver. This includes blood thinners, sedatives, antidepressants, antifungals, and certain antibiotics. Always check with a healthcare provider before combining weed with any new medication.
Avoid mixing prednisone with NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin), some vaccines, certain antifungal medications, and supplements like St. John’s wort without medical advice. These combinations may increase the risk of side effects like ulcers, infections, or reduce prednisone’s effectiveness.
Doctors do not recommend smoking in general or while taking steroids, depending on the individual. Smoking—especially heavy cannabis or tobacco use—can damage the lungs and immune system. Since prednisone already suppresses immune function, smoking may raise your risk of infections and respiratory complications. Vaporizing or using edibles and tinctures are safer alternatives.
Prednisone can impact several organs due to its immunity effects, but it’s tough on the bones (risk of osteoporosis), eyes (risk of cataracts), and adrenal glands. Long-term use may also affect the liver and raise blood pressure. Your doctor will carefully plan out how long you should be on steroids for, and any co-medications needed to avoid side effects (i.e. antacids to prevent peptic ulcers).
Yes, weed is a natural anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent. Cannabis contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD that interact with the endocannabinoid system to help reduce inflammation. This makes it potentially helpful in managing symptoms of autoimmune, inflammatory, and painful conditions.
Technically, yes, but it depends on what the tablets are used for. If you’re taking prednisone or other medications that affect the immune system or liver, smoking (weed or tobacco) may increase your risk of complications. Always check with your doctor to ensure it’s safe and review your alternative options.
Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
Big pharmaceutical companies may steer people towards Prednisone, but I’m fine with CBD twice a day and sometimes RSO in order to reduce inflammation. Plenty of over the counter products as well….you don’t need to risk taking Prednisone. Keep in mind, a lot of doctors are ignorant when it comes to THC and CBD so they prescribe what the AMA has backed all along and that’s not always the wisest decision. Case in point: a lot of us baby boomers remember when dentists were told by the ADA that mercury was great for fillings and that sure turned out to be hogwash.
I’ve read so much about how Cannabis products are contraindicated, not allies that work together. Cannabis inhibits cyp450 enzymes and to metabolize, steroids (and many other drugs), are dependent on those enzymes.
After a pretty severe asthma episode (urgent care, 2 breathing treatments, shot of Prednisone, scrip for 5 days and Zpac in case of pneumonia, then I felt much better), I also took Mari’s retirements at bedtime like normal, couldn’t sleep much understandably after all the treatments, but woke up with a flush on my face. Think I won’t use edibles tonight. Individually all those medications have helped in the past with no reaction s. Thanks for your helpful information.
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