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Smoking cannabis post transplant
Transplants | Last Active: Oct 12 7:02pm | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
Thank you Amanda and hello @glopers, welcome to Connect.
If you are currently taking immunosuppressants you should definitely check with your doctors about consuming cannabis. Both THC and CBD interfere with the metabolism of many medications. Most drugs, including cannabis, are metabolized through the cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A4) pathway. Cannabis can cause your medications to increase or be lowered in your system, potentially doing great harm to your body. There are nearly 400 known drug interactions with cannabis.
I know as a transplant recipient, Calcineurin Inhibitors, including Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine, will be increased in my blood levels if I consume cannabis. This can lead to toxicity in my body and rejection of my new organ.
You can check to see if the medications you take are listed as interacting with cannabis on drugs.com. But, even if they are not, I’d still recommend you consult your doctors.
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/cannabis.html
If you’re interested, I’ve also attached an article on the drug interaction process. I suffer from constant pain and other neuropathy symptoms which I know could be relieved by cannabis. But, it’s not worth risking my life.
Replies to "Thank you Amanda and hello @glopers, welcome to Connect. If you are currently taking immunosuppressants you..."
Can you modify your eating? Cucumbers strengthen the nerves. Approaching food as supporting health will improve your health.
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Hi, I was wondering if you could offer me some guidance with my experience. I had a transplant at age of 2 years old, I’m now 28. My numbers just came back and my tacrolimus levels were low. I’m pretty good at taking my antirejections on time, but I do use cannabis daily.
Referencing your quote, “I know as a transplant recipient, Calcineurin Inhibitors, including Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine, will be increased in my blood levels if I consume cannabis. This can lead to toxicity in my body and rejection of my new organ.”
Do my test results contradict this? Wouldn’t they be high if my cannabis use was having a negative impact on my liver function? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, thank you!