Drug & supplement interaction

Cannabinol (cbn) + Paroxetine

Paroxetine brand names: Paxil CR, Paxil, Brisdelle.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Cannabinol (cbn) has a moderate interaction with Paroxetine. Theoretically, CYP2C9 inhibitors might increase the levels and clinical effects of cannabinol.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Cannabinol (cbn) and Paroxetine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) INHIBITORS

Why this applies to Paroxetine

Paroxetine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) INHIBITORS — the group Cannabinol (cbn) interacts with.

Theoretically, CYP2C9 inhibitors might increase the levels and clinical effects of cannabinol.
In vitro research shows that CYP2C9 enzymes are involved in the 11-hydroxylation of cannabinol. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the key thing to know: in this pairing, it's the CBN that may be affected, not your paroxetine. Paroxetine can block a liver enzyme called CYP2C9, and lab studies suggest that same enzyme helps break down cannabinol. If paroxetine slows that breakdown, CBN levels could climb a bit, which might mean more grogginess, drowsiness, or dizziness than you'd expect from the CBN alone.

I'll be honest with you, though: this is only based on test-tube research and hasn't actually been seen in real people, so it's pretty theoretical. Still, since both can make you sleepy and CBN products vary a lot in quality, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Watanabe K, Yamaori S, Funahashi T, Kimura T, Yamamoto I. Cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of tetrahydrocannabinols and cannabinol by human hepatic microsomes. Life Sci. 2007;80(15):1415-9. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Cannabinol (cbn) Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cannabinol (cbn) has 388 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Paroxetine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Cannabinol (cbn)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cannabinol (cbn). Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Cannabinol (cbn) or Paroxetine

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Cannabinol (cbn) or Paroxetine, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Paroxetine

This page covers Cannabinol (cbn) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Paroxetine page lists 134 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Iboga (major), Lithium (major), 1,3-dmaa (moderate) and 5-htp (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 105 moderate · 26 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Paroxetine page

“I treat paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle) as a medication where supplement choices genuinely matter, not one to wave through. This antidepressant raises serotonin, so about twenty of the ingredients listed here, lithium among them, can push serotonin too high and risk serotonin syndrome, a dangerous reaction.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Paroxetine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Cannabinol (cbn) and Paroxetine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Cannabinol (cbn)
Top half

#612 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Paroxetine
Top half

#1,105 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Cannabinol (cbn)

What is Cannabinol (cbn)?

  • Sleep support
  • Relaxation
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Appetite-related concerns

Cannabinol (CBN) is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, often marketed as a 'sleep' aid, but solid human research is very limited. Because it comes from cannabis and product quality varies widely, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before trying it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Cannabinol (cbn) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Paroxetine

What Is Paroxetine Used For?

Brand names: Paxil CR, Paxil, Brisdelle

Paroxetine tablets, film-coated tablets, and oral suspensions are approved in adults for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The extended-release tablet forms (Paxil CR, paroxetine HCL CR, and paroxetine extended-release tablets) are approved in adults for MDD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Brisdelle (paroxetine 7.5 mg capsule) and generic paroxetine capsules are approved specifically for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause — not for any psychiatric condition. Paroxetine tablets are not approved for use in children.

See full Paroxetine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cannabinol (cbn)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cannabinol (cbn) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
388Moderate
0Minor
2,441No known interaction
Moderate

388 interactions

Showing 60 of 388 moderate interactions — see all 388 on the Cannabinol (cbn) page.

No interaction 2,441 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Cannabinol (cbn) and Paroxetine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cannabinol (cbn) with Paroxetine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Cannabinol (cbn) and Paroxetine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Paroxetine and Cannabinol (cbn)?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.