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Is Smoking Marijuana Safe While On Mirtazapine?

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Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016
Question: Hi, I take 15mg Mirtazapine at night for Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome. In the past I have found Cannabis (Marijuana) to be great for treating the pain whenever there is a severe episode. However, I have not smoked since starting the Mirtazapine because I cannot find any information on interactions. Is it safe to smoke Cannabis occasionally while being on Mirtazapine? Is there any sort of dangerous interaction between these two drugs? I was also prescribed Ativan 0.5mg (taken only as needed) to deal with potential anxiety caused by the mirtazapine when starting it. However, I have only needed one of those tablets so far. I have been on Mirtazapine for almost 3 weeks now. Please let me know if there are any dangerous interactions between Cannabis and these medications.
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM
Thanks for the question.

Let me begin by saying that Marijuana is illegal in Canada, so I cannot recommend you buy or use an illegal substance.

Marijuana obtained illegally has dozens of unknown contaminants which might severely affect any medications you are taking, especially psychoactive medications like Remeron (Mirtazapine) and Ativan(Lorazepam).

So if you are planning to use marijuana purchased illegally, then I have to say this could have severe interactions.

If you are interested in pure medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor, this is legal and regulated in your country.

You should visit a prescriber and discuss the details. To my knowledge, there is no known interaction between confirmed pure cannabis and either Remeron or Ativan. This would be safe. However, marijuana has been known to lead to schizophrenia in people with existing mental illness, so you should consider this carefully.

Again, there is an enormous difference between marijuana purchased illegally and medical marijuana. The latter might be acceptable with no interactions, but the former is absolutely not safe.

This is a complicated issue. I encourage you to contact me at my private link below . After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Is Smoking Marijuana Safe While On Mirtazapine?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to HCM Thanks for the question. Let me begin by saying that Marijuana is illegal in Canada, so I cannot recommend you buy or use an illegal substance. Marijuana obtained illegally has dozens of unknown contaminants which might severely affect any medications you are taking, especially psychoactive medications like Remeron (Mirtazapine) and Ativan(Lorazepam). So if you are planning to use marijuana purchased illegally, then I have to say this could have severe interactions. If you are interested in pure medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor, this is legal and regulated in your country. You should visit a prescriber and discuss the details. To my knowledge, there is no known interaction between confirmed pure cannabis and either Remeron or Ativan. This would be safe. However, marijuana has been known to lead to schizophrenia in people with existing mental illness, so you should consider this carefully. Again, there is an enormous difference between marijuana purchased illegally and medical marijuana. The latter might be acceptable with no interactions, but the former is absolutely not safe. This is a complicated issue. I encourage you to contact me at my private link below . After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX