• CBD oil may benefit the circulatory system due to its purported ability to dilate blood vessels. This action may lead to increased blood flow, decreasing the likelihood of blood clots(1). 
  • Blood thinners are medications that prevent blood clots. While these compounds do not dissolve blood clots, they keep blood clots from forming or getting bigger(2). 
  • CBD oil may offer potential benefits for various health conditions. However, it is essential to consider drug-drug interactions to avoid detrimental effects caused by consuming CBD alongside certain medications, like blood thinners(3).

What Are Blood Thinners?

Blood thinners are medications that help prevent blood clots from forming or getting bigger(4).

Treatment of blood clots is critical because clots in the blood vessels and heart can result in strokes, heart attacks, and blockages (5).  

CBD’s Anticoagulant Effects and Other Health Benefits

CBD oil is beneficial for the circulatory system because it dilates blood vessels. This increases blood flow and, in turn, decreases the likelihood of blood clots(6). 

Clinical findings have shown that a single dose of CBD may significantly reduce the blood pressure of individuals both at rest and during stressful conditions(7). 

At the same time, CBD may have beneficial effects on a wide range of health conditions: 

CBD may possess anti-seizure, antipsychotic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, and anxiolytic properties(8). 

Several studies have shown how CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain(9). 

Cannabinoids like CBD act on the endocannabinoid system‘s CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are involved in transmitting pain in the spinal cord and brain(10).

Research also suggests that CBD has anti-emetic properties that may help reduce nausea in those suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting(11).

CBD may offer potential help for multiple anxiety disorders, but further research into chronic and therapeutic effects in relevant clinical populations is required(12).

CBD Interaction With Drugs and Medications

CBD oil may offer potential benefits for various health conditions. It is essential to consider CBD’s interaction with certain medications to prevent detrimental effects(13).

While CBD may be beneficial, some risks are associated with it, including abnormal liver function test results, sedation, sleepiness, and pneumonia caused by CBD interacting with other drugs(14).

Interactions Between CBD and Blood Thinners

Drugs like anticoagulants are metabolized in the liver by enzymes. CBD may compete or interfere with these enzymes, resulting in an excess or deficiency of the drug in the body(15). 

Anticoagulants are medications that help in the prevention of blood clots. They are given to individuals at a high risk of developing blood clots to reduce their risk of developing severe conditions such as strokes or heart attacks(16). 

Drugs That Should Not Be Taken With CBD

CBD must not be taken with anticoagulant blood thinners, including warfarin, enoxaparin, heparin, dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban, as interaction may result in potential adverse effects(17).

Can CBD Pain Cream Be Used While Taking Eliquis?

CBD has the potential to interact with Eliquis (apixaban), a medication used to prevent blood clots that could cause strokes, heart attacks, or pulmonary embolism(18). 

The body breaks down medications such as Eliquis by using the enzymes in the liver. CBD products may compete for or interfere with these enzymes and lead to the medication not working or increasing the risk of side effects called altered concentration(19). 

Can CBD Be Used in Place of Conventional Blood Thinners?

Currently, no specific study or case report directly considers CBD as a safe substitute for warfarin or any other anticoagulants(20).

Research findings show that Cannabis sativa and the cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) demonstrate anticoagulant activity(21).

These phytocannabinoids may be helpful in the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, an ailment that causes an irregular increase of blood clotting(22).

Can CBD Replace Warfarin?

CBD oil and warfarin may cause some risks when taken together. Warfarin is an anticoagulant, blood thinner medication preventing the formation of blood clots that could lead to strokes or heart attacks(23).

 CBD is a potent competitive inhibitor that may impair warfarin breakdown(24). 

Consult a healthcare professional before considering CBD as a substitute for warfarin or any prescription medicine.

How to Take CBD When Using Blood Thinners

When CBD oil and blood thinners are combined, several factors need to be considered. An individual’s health, body mass, and general tolerance affect the likelihood of experiencing drug-drug interactions(25). 

Consult a healthcare professional before using CBD oil, especially when taking any blood-thinning medication(26).

Are There Any Risks and Side Effects When Using CBD and Blood Thinners?

CBD may interact with some medications(27).

Studies have demonstrated how CBD and other cannabinoids may magnify the effects of drugs used for blood thinning or drugs with a risk of blood thinning(28).

CBD slows down how the body metabolizes these drugs. CBD may expand and prolong the effects of the medications that increase the risk of bleeding(29).

CBD Safeness: Is Cannabidiol Safe to Use With Blood Thinners?

The WHO (World Health Organization) indicated that CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile(30).

It is essential to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional to assess the safety and side effects of taking CBD with medications(31).

CBD Legality

CBD products are only federally legal if derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3 percent THC(32).

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CBD is currently undergoing studies as a new drug. Considering that a wide range of CBD products is available in different parts of the United States, its legal status has remained uncertain(33).


  1. A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/
  2. Blood Thinners
    https://medlineplus.gov/bloodthinners.html
  3. An interaction between warfarin and cannabidiol, a case report https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789126/
  4. Blood Thinners https://medlineplus.gov/bloodthinners.html
  5. ibid
  6. A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/
  7. ibid
  8. Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514832/
  9. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476 s
  10. ibid
  11. Cannabinoids As Potential Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960260/ d
  12. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
  13. An interaction between warfarin and cannabidiol, a case report https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789126/
  14. Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/
  15. CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
  16. Anticoagulant medicines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anticoagulants/#
  17. Potential Drug Interactions Between Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives and Oral Anticoagulants https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0018578720985438
  18. CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
  19. ibid
  20. Anticoagulant effects of a Cannabis extract in an obese rat model
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16644197/
  21. ibid
  22. ibid
  23. An interaction between warfarin and cannabidiol, a case report
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789126/#bb0050
  24. ibid
  25. Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/
  26. ibid
  27. CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
  28. CBD Drug Interactions: What you need to know https://www.southpalmorthopedics.com/pdfs/edu-cbd-drug-interactions-what-you-need-to-know.pdf
  29. ibid.
  30. World Health Organization Reports CBD Oil Is Generally Safe https://www.rtor.org/2019/07/05/who-report-on-cbd-oil/#
  31. CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
  32. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  33. FDA and Cannabis: Research and Drug Approval Process https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process
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