Prescription Medications You Should Avoid Mixing With Weed

The question still remains, even as legalization sweeps across the country, is marijuana a drug or medicine? It's taken the US by storm, and only grow steadfastly more popular as we move into the future. While many potheads and smokers of all kinds may be jumping for joy, it isn't all that good; for, like most narcotics, there's a price to pay. While marijuana may be a far more helpful Schedule I narcotic than most, it can still have some damaging and debilitating effects when combined with other substances. If you're trying a new prescription, know a friend who's taking medication combined with cannabis, or just want to know more about what you're putting in your body, talk to a medical specialist and ensure their safety. The number one key approach in minimize these following risks is to spot them before the can become worse.

To be exact, according to Drugs.com, there are a little over 600 various drugs and compounds that can have major interactions when mixed with marijuana. If you don't want to cause your mind and body harm, or would rather not decrease your physicality by improperly using your medication, avoid the following drugs when smoking or consuming marijuana on a regular basis. Medical marijuana may be a beneficial new form of anti-depressant, and may even be healthier than alcohol, but this does not mean it will help everyone. This is a major concept when trying to grapple which prescription medications to avoid mixing with weed. You must always speak to your doctor or medical specialist before taking any kind of substance, even if they are illegal, but even if you don't the following drugs and compounds should be ignored if you're a regular marijuana user.

Tranquilizers

There are a variety of tranquilizers out there, some of which aren't even listed a such, like antipsychotic medications and even ketamine. When you take marijuana, the most prominent side effect is drowsiness and fatigue, which is most often ousted by the widespread cravings of hunger often called "munchies."

Yet, if you're on any type of tranquilizer, whether it be provided by an actual prescription or not, you should avoid taking marijuana at all costs. If you don't, you could find yourself in a coma, confused, possibly even disoriented, rendering you incapable of preforming any motor skills with the onset of hallucinations. Sounds like a lot to handle, so do your best to remember tranquilizers as prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed.

Acetaminophen

Mostly found in off the counter allergenic medications, like TYLENOL, and considered an analgesic rather than a narcotic, acetaminophen is among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed. Especially if one is on high levels of caffeine, as well, acetaminophen can be extremely dangerous.

The issue with acetaminophen is that it can lead to a higher liver toxicity, and is especially concerning when you combine it with marijuana, but it's even dangerous on its own. Despite being over the counter, the analgesic can be attained through a prescription, usually due to a higher dosage and should not be used in conjunction with marijuana.

Codeine

While common users of both marijuana and codeine may say differently, combined with cannabis, codeine is not fun. It can be, like tranquilizers, a cause for concern if you begin to hallucinate (one particular reason why many like to mix the two in the first place). Another side effect when mixing codeine with marijuana (or any other substance, for that matter) is death.

Codeine is among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed since the narcotic's aftereffects could leave your body extremely vulnerable to fatigue, or even sleeplessness. Think about this, codeine is used to help treat pain, specifically coughing, so if you start to feel or see signs of respiratory distress, call your doctor immediately.

Fentanyl

About a year ago, a few reports came out that marijuana itself was being laced with fentanyl and was even the direct cause for a young teenager's death. While these stipulations have been debunked by High Times, and the truth behind the reports is that it happened but is not ongoing, one should still note it as among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed.

Fentanyl is a narcotic that treats severe pain, and among other things can cause addiction, respiratory issues, and death. Avoid fentanyl at all costs, even if you're in serious pain. Besides being a pain medication, fentanyl is also a death machine and scares the crap out of me, so stay away from it. Period.

Tramadol

If you've ever heard of Ultram, Zytram, or ConZip, than you may know what tramadol is: a controlled substance that treats moderate to severe pains. While it may sound similar to fentanyl, it's not as dangerous as the latter. Not all drugs (even if they're the same class) have the same side effects when mixed with other substances, which is why talking to your doctor about medical marijuana is key to staying healthy and safe.

Tramadol is a pain medication after all, which means that it's another addition to prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed. If you do find yourself combining these two substances, expect nausea and vomiting, for starters. You'll also experience twitching, heightened fatigue, and a feeling of depression.

Hydrocodone

Tramadol and acetaminophen may have some similarities to the narcotic, but that doesn't mean they're the same. Hydrocodone, most prominent in medications like Vicodin, Norco, and Lorcet, can be especially dangerous when combined with cannabis.

It's among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed, since it can lead to a severe dependance on both, central nervous system breakdowns, gastrointestinal problems (like vomiting and nausea), plus even psychological issues. No matter how much pain you're in, mixing cannabis with hydrocodone is utterly pointless and will only make your body shut down far swifter than you think.

Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin, while seemingly harmless, is among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed. This is another example of an over the counter medication that can still be concerning when one is mixing the substance with marijuana. The cough and cold medication known as guaifenesin is such products as Mucinex and Wal-Tussin, so if you're a heavy smoker avoid these medications.

It's classed as an "expectorant," which may lead some people into believing it isn't among prescription drugs, however, there are certain cases where guaifenesin can be prescribed. If so, make sure you talk to a specialist or medical doctor before proceeding consummation, otherwise, you could be in serious danger.

Oxycodone

Some medical specialists and doctors alike have considered the question: can marijuana help solve the opioid addiction? It's a valid observation, one that needs more attention, despite the fact that combining the two definitely isn't good for you.

It's safe to say that practically any pain relievers and psychoactive pills are prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed, but oxy? You shouldn't even really be taking oxycodone in the first place; not only is it highly addictive, it's so highly potent it can easily kill you. Combining it with marijuana only increases these chances, and the inevitability in your abuse of it.

Morphine

Again, another prescription pain medication that definitely should not be used with marijuana (or, again, in general), morphine is a controlled substance used in Duramorph and Arymo ER to treat severe pains. Every person should know what morphine is, as it became a highly addictive substance to war veterans of WWII.

Nowadays, it's become a commonality to mix the prescription drug with that of marijuana. It might sound like a good time, but take it from me, a guy who's seen and done it all (practically most of this list) don't do it. Some of the side effects include blurred vision, mental confusion, fatigue, hallucination, and more if you combine marijuana with morphine.

Ropivacaine

The anesthetic and sodium channel blocker known as Ropivacaine, or Novocaine sometimes used in conjunction with Sufentanil, is among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed. Not only can it lead to a dependance, combining weed with ropivacaine can kill you.

Used primarily in the process of surgery, in order to numb the body to pain, ropivacaine can be highly dangerous to pot users and become an addictive self-treatment. Think of Sufentanil as a mixture of Fentanyl, Codeine, and Tramadol; add weed plus ropivacaine into the mix, and you've got a whole plethora of side effects I can't even fit on this page.

Bromodiphenhydramine

More often than not it's shortened to Bromazine, but the anticholinergic and antihistamine is a highly dangerous substance when combined with marijuana. The syrupy substance is among prescription medications you should avoid mixing with weed, because you can experience a number of side effects that are long term, like consistent hallucinations, fatigue, and a serving of gastrointestinal problems you really just don't want.

Listen, weed is more helpful than prescriptions, so don't get all crazed and fanatic about mixing marijuana with other substances. If you don't know what can happen, than simply avoid using them. Weed is a narcotic, and it's still highly illegal, so don't be stupid and try Bromodiphenhydramine without consulting a doctor.