Cannabidiol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Interactions: A Case of Drug-Induced Aseptic Meningitis

Cannabidiol (CBD) and other marijuana derivatives are being more widely used in the medical community by people in an attempt to alleviate a variety of symptoms. While these products have shown promise in their analgesic properties, little is known about the potential pharmacological interactions of these and other drugs. We present a case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with altered mental status, ataxia, left-sided numbness, and slurred speech. An extensive workup was completed and found to be largely unremarkable, though a thorough history revealed that her symptoms were likely caused by concurrent use of CBD and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) resulting in drug-induced aseptic meningitis. The benign nature of CBD makes it a promising avenue for pain relief. Physicians and patients should be informed about the potential drug-drug interactions of CBD and other medications. J Neurol Res. 2020;10(4):132-135 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr598