title: Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent.
abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychotropic constituent of Cannabis, has multiple pharmacological actions, including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about its safety and side effect profile in animals and humans. This review describes in vivo and in vitro reports of CBD administration across a wide range of concentrations, based on reports retrieved from Web of Science, Scielo and Medline. The keywords searched were "cannabinoids", "cannabidiol" and "side effects". Several studies suggest that CBD is non-toxic in non-transformed cells and does not induce changes on food intake, does not induce catalepsy, does not affect physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature), does not affect gastrointestinal transit and does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions. Also, chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans. Conversely, some studies reported that this cannabinoid can induce some side effects, including inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism, alterations of in vitro cell viability, decreased fertilization capacity, and decreased activities of p-glycoprotein and other drug transporters. Based on recent advances in cannabinoid administration in humans, controlled CBD may be safe in humans and animals. However, further studies are needed to clarify these reported in vitro and in vivo side effects.
authors: Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Food Sciences Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Mateus Machado
authors: MM
authors: Bergamaschi
authors: Regina Helena Costa
authors: RH
authors: Queiroz
authors: Antonio Waldo
authors: AW
authors: Zuardi
authors: José Alexandre S
authors: JA
authors: Crippa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000932:Antiemetics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002185:Cannabidiol