Adverse Effects
Unintended, harmful effects of a drug. Common cannabinoid adverse effects include psychoactivity (THC), sedation, dry mouth, tachycardia, and cognitive impairment.
In Depth
THC's adverse effects include acute psychosis (dose-dependent), anxiety, tachycardia, cognitive impairment, and impaired driving ability. With chronic use: tolerance, dependence, and potential for cannabis use disorder. CBD's adverse effects are generally mild: somnolence, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and elevated liver enzymes (particularly with valproate). CBD has no psychoactive adverse effects. Both cannabinoids can cause drug interactions via CYP450 inhibition. Adverse effects are substantially more common with oral than inhaled routes due to variable absorption.
Related Terms
More in Clinical
Dravet Syndrome
A severe, treatment-resistant form of childhood epilepsy characterized by prolonged seizures, often triggered by fever, beginning in the first year of life.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
A severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy characterized by multiple seizure types, slow spike-wave EEG pattern, and cognitive impairment.
Epidiolex
The FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation of purified cannabidiol (CBD), manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals (now Jazz Pharmaceuticals). Approved in 2018 for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Dronabinol (Marinol)
A synthetic form of THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) approved by the FDA for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and AIDS-related anorexia.
Nabilone (Cesamet)
A synthetic cannabinoid analogue of THC approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. More potent than dronabinol.