Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) - Taxol (Paclitaxel) Interaction

Interaction Details

Paclitaxel is classified as belonging to the following category: P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, THC might alter levels of drugs that are substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp).
Most in vitro research suggests that THC can inhibit P-gp and increase the accumulation of probe compounds by reducing P-gp mediated drug efflux. In vitro studies in kidney cell lines show that a 1-hour exposure to CBD and THC inhibits P-gp. THC may also alter the expression of P-gp, although this effect appears to vary based on duration of exposure. Some in vitro research in lymphoblastoid leukemia cell lines indicates that a 1-hour exposure to cannabinoids does not affect P-gp expression, while a prolonged 72-hour exposure decreases P-gp expression. Other in vitro research in these cell lines shows that a 4-hour exposure to THC and CBD induces P-gp gene expression, while exposure for longer than 4 hours and up to 48 hours does not induce P-gp gene expression.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

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

References

• Zhu, H. J., Wang, J. S., Markowitz, J. S., Donovan, J. L., Gibson, B. B., Gefroh, H. A., and Devane, C. L. Characterization of P-glycoprotein inhibition by major cannabinoids from marijuana. J Pharmacol Exp.Ther. 2006;317(2):850-857.
• Holland, M. L., Panetta, J. A., Hoskins, J. M., Bebawy, M., Roufogalis, B. D., Allen, J. D., and Arnold, J. C. The effects of cannabinoids on P-glycoprotein transport and expression in multidrug resistant cells. Biochem.Pharmacol 4-14-2006;71(8):1146-115
• Tournier N, Lucie Chevillard L, Megarbane B, et al. Interaction of drugs of abuse and maintenance treatments with human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2). Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2010;13(7):905-15.
• Arnold JC, Hone P, Holland ML, Allen JD. CB2 and TRPV1 receptors mediate cannabinoid actions on MDR1 expression in multidrug resistant cells. Pharmacol Rep. 2012;64(3):751-7.

Interaction Details

Paclitaxel is classified as belonging to the following category: Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, THC may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that cannabis containing THC might modestly inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 enzymes, which might decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates. It is unclear if this effect is due to THC, other constituents, or the combination. In vitro research also shows that cannabis extracts containing THC modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 metabolism of testosterone; extracts providing the specific cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG) alone had stronger inhibitory effects than extracts containing both THC and CBD. Conversely, a crossover clinical study in healthy adults shows that oral THC does not inhibit CYP3A4.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

References

• 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
• 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.
• Bansal S, Zamarripa CA, Spindle TR, et al. Evaluation of Cytochrome P450-Mediated Cannabinoid-Drug Interactions in Healthy Adult Participants. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023.

Paclitaxel Overview

• Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved or worsened after treatment with other medications. Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is also used in combination with other chemotherapy medications to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is used in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) to treat cancer of the pancreas. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) - More Interactions

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) interacts with 1070 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.