Cannabis Addiction and COVID-19 Protocols: Are Safety and Efficacy Issues Questionable?

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is one of the emerged pandemics that threaten the globe. On the other hand, cannabis smoking is considered one of the risk factors for increased incidence of lung infection, and hence covid-19 infection. Aim: Investigation of potential interactions between covid-19 therapeutic agents and cannabis addiction associated with changes in both or either of therapeutic safety and efficacy. Besides, the effect of cannabis smoking addiction on covid-19 incidence and severity. Discussion: Different studies indicated the effect of cannabis components on the metabolic rate by induction or inhibition of several metabolic pathways. Different drugs used in covid-19 management are either substrates or inhibitors for those metabolic pathways. The final result could be a bidirectional interaction between tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and those drugs used in COVID-19 management. Side effects of elevated levels of both tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, or drug therapeutic agents may occur. Studies showed that cannabis smoking is acting as a risk factor for elevated incidence for pulmonary tract infection and so covid-19 infection. Conclusion: Caution should be taken in consideration, and addiction screening for COVID-19 patients should be performed before starting therapeutic regimen to avoid any possible undesirable effects during treatment and to predict patients response to therapeutic measures applied and disease severity.