Analysis of case reports and FDA adverse event data found potential cannabis-drug interactions in children, particularly with methadone, everolimus, fluoxetine, and paroxetine.
Pediatricians, pharmacists, epilepsy specialists prescribing CBD
9,142 adverse event reports involving cannabis/cannabinoids in pediatric patients
What the researchers found
Seven published case reports and 9,142 FAERS adverse event reports identified potential interactions between cannabis/cannabinoids and pediatric medications; cannabinoids may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, increasing drug exposure and ADR risk.
Why it matters
As CBD and cannabis products become more common in pediatric settings (especially for epilepsy), understanding their potential to alter the metabolism of co-prescribed medications is a safety priority.
The numbers in context
7 published case reports; 9,142 FAERS adverse event reports; interactions flagged with methadone, everolimus, fluoxetine, and paroxetine.
How the study worked
Literature search (PubMed) for published case reports and FAERS database analysis of adverse event reports involving cannabis/cannabinoids in patients under 18; Drug Interaction Probability Scale assessed causality in case reports.
What this study cannot tell us
Case reports cannot establish causation; FAERS data relies on voluntary reporting and may undercount events; limited pediatric-specific pharmacokinetic data for cannabinoids.
How to read the evidence
Pharmacovigilance approach using case reports and FAERS data provides safety signals but cannot establish causation or quantify interaction magnitude.
When this study was published
Published 2025
The bigger picture
Pediatric patients on multiple medications are particularly vulnerable to drug interactions, and the growing use of cannabinoid products in this population warrants systematic pharmacovigilance.
Questions still open
- What are the specific enzyme inhibition profiles of CBD and THC at pediatric doses? Should routine drug interaction screening include cannabinoid products? Are there age-dependent differences in interaction risk?
Common questions
What medications might interact with cannabis in children?
How do cannabis products cause drug interactions?
Read the original research
Part 1: Evaluation of Pediatric Cannabis-Drug Interaction Reports.
Pharmacology research & perspectives, 13(1), e70046
Citation
Chapin, Maryann R; Kane-Gill, Sandra L; Li, Xiaotong; Abanyie, Kojo; Taneja, Sanya B; Egbert, Susan; Paine, Mary F; Boyce, Richard D. (2025). Part 1: Evaluation of Pediatric Cannabis-Drug Interaction Reports.. Pharmacology research & perspectives, 13(1), e70046. https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70046
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