Can you use CBD Oil when taking Immunotherapy drugs?

As far the CBD - THC part of the question. I have read in depth a variety of things that work and don’t work with adding to the medical regimen, mostly the CBD /THC hinders the immunotherapy in doing its job quicker and longer lasting effects.

@z06guy there are quite a few related discussions in the Lung Cancer group about this topic.

Please see
- CBD Oil and Immunotherapy drugs Atezolizmab and Bevacizumab ? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-and-immunotherapy-druga-atezolizmab-and-bevacizumab/?pg=1#comment-279484
cancer.
– Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Cannabis and Cannabinoids https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nivolumabkeytruda-cannabis-and-cannabinoids/
– Cannabis oil and Immunotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cannabis-oil-and-immunotherapy/
– Using CBD/THC Oil to fight metastatic lung cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/using-cbdthc-oil-to-fight-metastatic-lung-cancer/

So far research indicates that CBD oil interferes with immunotherapy. Here are some references to consider:
– https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/general-oncology/cannabis-reduces-immunotherapy-response/article/688059/
– https://oncologypro.esmo.org/Meeting-Resources/ESMO-2017-Congress/The-effect-of-cannabis-use-on-tumor-response-to-Nivolumab-in-patients-with-advanced-malignancies
– https://www.medicaljane.com/2014/08/28/study-cannabinoids-may-increase-lung-cancers-susceptibilty-to-specialized-killer-cells/

Thank you! Much appreciated ..

Libtayo and CBD oil
I hear conflicting reports to not use CBD oil and others including my PA that insists they are compatible. Some research suggest CBD is useful in helping the cells fight cancer. I am on my second year of immunotherapy and tests have shown a very high percentile of efficacy with my system relative to immune drugs, I have only extreme fatigue so far as a side effect. Any ideas and or data?

Hello @mysticwatoo and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that I have moved your post into the Cancer Group to allow you to better connect with members who may better relate to your story and question.

As for the CBD oil only about 3 weeks. But it has helped me sleep better. I also take daily milk thistle and dandilioin root, as well as probiotic and active yogurt culture. I was misdiagnosed almost seven years ago, 4 TIMES! I was told that I had trigeminal neuralagia and given gamma kife surgery which was the worst thing they could have done! Finally at Duke Cancer Centre I was told that it was cancer caused by the human papillomarvirus and had the scans been read corretly previously at two differnent hospitals I would not been facing a death sentence. One doctor gave me less than 3 months to live even with treatment. That cancer 7 years later, with my throat severely scarred from radiation as well as chemo is in remission. However a Squamish cell carcinoma was detected on my right tremple and because of once again misdiagnosed removed scraping it developed into a serious threat and was removed by surgery. However a second tumor appeared over my left eye and removal of my eye was considered. Thankfully at my insistance and the agreement with a specialist at Wake Forest Libtayo was initiated with with excellent results. A sample from the tumor was examined and found to have 2 "cellular anarchies" were found but also I was found to be in the upper 90 percentile of pepople with good tolerance and response ot immunotherapy.

@mysticwatoo, I encourage to read through this discussion to which I added your posts:
- Can you use CBD Oil when taking Immunotherapy drugs? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-and-immunotherapy-druga-atezolizmab-and-bevacizumab/

Research continues to indicate that CBD oil interferes with immunotherapy. Here are some references to consider:
– https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/general-oncology/cannabis-reduces-immunotherapy-response/article/688059/
- Cannabis Consumption Used by Cancer Patients during Immunotherapy Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7563978/

I might advise discussing with your oncology pharmacist.

I have been given so much inaccurate and even potentially dangerous information and knowing that in the U S it is an industry not a health care service, all of which is based on profit not person, that pharmasulticals are more intereseted in billions of dollars than health I have learned almost at the cost of my life that never never take anything anyone in the industry at their word nor accept their data as "proof" of anything!

Hi
My husband was diagnosed with squamos cells metastase in L3/4 and psoad.
Underwent 5 courses of carbo chemo and ketruda and now continues with keyruda. Suffers from severe pains. Can he use cannabis?? i saw some old articles not recconending.
Thank you Leora

Hi @leorarosenthal, I moved your question about cannabis and immunotherapy (Keytruda) to this existing discussion in the Cancer Support Group.
– Can you use CBD Oil when taking Immunotherapy drugs? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-and-immunotherapy-druga-atezolizmab-and-bevacizumab/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with other members.

Research continues to indicate that CBD oil interferes with immunotherapy. Here are some references to consider:
– https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/general-oncology/cannabis-reduces-immunotherapy-response/article/688059/
– Cannabis Consumption Used by Cancer Patients during Immunotherapy Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7563978/

As with any complementary therapy, you should always talk with your oncologist. Complementary therapies can interact negatively with immunotherapy or chemotherapies and/or reduce their effectiveness.

I'm sorry to hear that your husband is in such pain. What pain management does his cancer team suggest?