Cannabis + Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil Citrate brand name: Viagra.
Sildenafil Citrate falls into 2 drug categories that Cannabis can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, cannabis might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportCannabis and Sildenafil Citrate
These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 2 Interactions?
Cannabis interacts with whole categories of medication. Sildenafil Citrate falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Cannabis in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
1 of 2Why this applies to Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil Citrate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES — the group Cannabis interacts with.
In vitro research shows that the cannabis constituents delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol moderately inhibit the CYP2C9-mediated 7-hydroxylation of S-warfarin in a concentration-dependent manner. In vitro research also shows that cannabis extracts modestly inhibit the CYP2C9 metabolism of tolbutamide; extracts providing the specific cannabinoids CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) had stronger inhibitory effects than extracts containing THC and CBD.
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.
Here's the gist: your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP2C9 to help break down sildenafil (Viagra). Lab studies suggest that compounds in cannabis (THC and CBD) can slow this enzyme down a bit. In theory, that could let more sildenafil hang around in your system than usual, which might nudge up its typical side effects like headache, facial flushing, a stuffy nose, dizziness, or low blood pressure.
The important caveat: this concern comes only from test-tube research, not from real people taking both together, so it's far from proven. Sildenafil is also mostly handled by a different enzyme (CYP3A4), so any effect from cannabis is likely small. Still, if you use cannabis regularly and take Viagra, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you notice more dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Damkier P, Lassen D, Christensen MMH, Madsen KG, Hellfritzsch M, Pottegård A. Interaction between warfarin and cannabis. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;124(1):28-31. PubMed
- Treyer A, Reinhardt JK, Eigenmann DE, Oufir M, Hamburger M. Phytochemical comparison of medicinal cannabis extracts and study of their CYP-mediated interactions with coumarinic oral anticoagulants. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2023;6(1):21-31. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
2 of 2Sildenafil Citrate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that cannabis can inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 enzymes, which might decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates. In vitro research also shows that cannabis extracts modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 metabolism of testosterone; extracts providing the specific cannabinoids CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) had stronger inhibitory effects than extracts containing THC and CBD.
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.
Here's the gist with Viagra (sildenafil) and cannabis. Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to break sildenafil down and clear it out. Lab studies suggest cannabis compounds, especially CBD and CBG, may slow that enzyme a bit. If sildenafil gets cleared more slowly, more of it can linger in your system, which could mean stronger or longer effects, including headache, facial flushing, a stuffy nose, dizziness, or a bigger drop in blood pressure.
That said, this is theoretical and based only on test-tube research, not real-world patient studies, so I wouldn't panic. Still, since both can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness, it's worth a quick chat with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
- Pellinen, P., Honkakoski, P., Stenback, F., Niemitz, M., Alhava, E., Pelkonen, O., Lang, M. A., and Pasanen, M. Cocaine N-demethylation and the metabolism-related hepatotoxicity can be prevented by cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors. Eur.J Pharmacol 1-3-1994;2 PubMed
- Treyer A, Reinhardt JK, Eigenmann DE, Oufir M, Hamburger M. Phytochemical comparison of medicinal cannabis extracts and study of their CYP-mediated interactions with coumarinic oral anticoagulants. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2023;6(1):21-31. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Cannabis Also Interacts With Other Medications
Cannabis has 2 major, 1,108 moderate, 25 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Sildenafil Citrate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Cannabis
We haven’t checked that one against Cannabis yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cannabis. Pick one to open its full report.
Questions About Cannabis or Sildenafil Citrate
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Cannabis or Sildenafil Citrate, 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:
- Can You Use Cannabis While Taking Binimetinib (Mektovi)? ›
- Which Medications Interact With Nitric Oxide Supplements? ›
- Can You Cut, Split Or Crush Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Sildenafil Citrate
This page covers Cannabis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Sildenafil Citrate page lists 160 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Mistletoe (major), Grapefruit (major), Hawthorn (major) and St. John's Wort (major).
Taking Cannabis as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 21 real supplement products containing Cannabis, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cannabis. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Sildenafil Citrate too, on top of Cannabis — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Cannabis and Sildenafil Citrate 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.
#234 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,377 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
About Cannabis
What is Cannabis?
- Chronic pain
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Muscle spasticity (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
- Anxiety and stress
- Sleep problems
- Appetite stimulation
Cannabis contains many active compounds, mainly THC (which causes a 'high') and CBD (which does not). Some uses, such as chemotherapy-related nausea, certain seizure disorders, and muscle spasticity, have meaningful evidence, while many other popular uses are not well proven. It can cause real side effects and impairment, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist and follow your local laws before using it.
About Sildenafil
What Is Sildenafil Used For?
Brand name: Viagra
Sildenafil treats two distinct conditions depending on the product. Viagra (tablet) and Vybrique (dissolving oral film) are approved for erectile dysfunction (ED) — difficulty getting or keeping an erection. Generic sildenafil tablets and oral film are also approved for ED.
Revatio and several generic sildenafil products (tablets, oral suspension, and injection) are used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs — in adults to improve exercise ability and slow the disease from getting worse. Revatio oral suspension and injection are also approved for PAH in children ages 1 to 17.
Other Drugs & Cannabis
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cannabis — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
2 interactions
1,108 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Tetracycline ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Ranitidine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Fenofibrate ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Flurazepam ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Apomorphine ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Nitrazepam ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
Showing 60 of 1,108 moderate interactions — see all 1,108 on the Cannabis page.
25 interactions
- Fluphenazine ›
- Asenapine ›
- Clozapine ›
- Prochlorperazine ›
- Acetophenazine ›
- Butaperazine ›
- Carphenazine ›
- Chlorprothixene ›
- Isopropamide Iodide ›
- Mesoridazine Besylate ›
- Methotrimeprazine Maleate ›
- Molindone ›
- Olanzapine ›
- Paliperidone ›
- Paliperidone Palmitate ›
- Pericyazine ›
- Perphenazine ›
- Piperacetazine ›
- Promazine ›
- Sertindole ›
- Thiothixene ›
- Trifluoperazine ›
- Triflupromazine ›
- Isopropamide, Trifluoperazine ›
- Isopropamide, Prochlorperazine ›
No interaction 1,694 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Cannabis against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Bupropion ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,694 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cannabis list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Taking Cannabis and Sildenafil Citrate Together: Common Questions
Can you take Cannabis with Sildenafil Citrate?
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Cannabis and Sildenafil Citrate?
How serious is the Cannabis and Sildenafil Citrate interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Sildenafil Citrate and Cannabis?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.