How CBD interacts with the transplant drug tacrolimus and your genes
Drug-gene-nutraceutical interactions of cannabidiol
This project looks at whether taking CBD changes blood levels of the transplant medicine tacrolimus in people who have had organ transplants and how a gene called CYP3A5 affects that change.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303288 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would be asked to provide a DNA sample to determine my CYP3A5 gene type and to take CBD while blood is taken over time to measure tacrolimus levels. The researchers will compare tacrolimus area-under-the-curve (AUC) between people who express CYP3A5 and those who do not. They will also look for other drug effects of CBD that could matter for transplant patients. The work includes careful drug dosing, timed blood draws for pharmacokinetics, and safety monitoring during the visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who have received a solid-organ transplant and are taking tacrolimus who are willing to have genetic testing, take CBD under supervision, and undergo repeated blood draws.
Not a fit: People who are not on tacrolimus or who have no history of organ transplantation are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians adjust tacrolimus doses for patients who use CBD to avoid rejection or drug toxicity.
How similar studies have performed: Case reports and small studies have suggested CBD can raise tacrolimus levels, but this genotype-based pharmacokinetic study aims to provide clearer, more generalizable data.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eadon, Michael Thomas — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Eadon, Michael Thomas
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.