Cannabidiol-associated hepatotoxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lindsay A. Lo, April Christiansen, Lauren Eadie, Justin C. Strickland, David D. Kim, Michael Boivin, Alasdair M. Barr, Caroline A. MacCallum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Findings of liver enzyme elevations in recent cannabidiol studies have raised concerns over liver safety. This study aimed to determine the association between cannabidiol use, liver enzyme elevation, and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a search of EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Clinicaltrials.gov, Medline, medRxiv, and Web of Science of records up to February 2022 was conducted. Clinical trials initiating daily cannabidiol treatment with serial liver enzyme measures were included. The proportion of liver enzyme elevations and DILI were independently extracted from published reports. Pooled proportions and probability meta-analyses were conducted. Results: Cannabidiol use was associated with an increased probability of liver enzyme elevation (N = 12 trials, n = 1229; OR = 5.85 95% CI = 3.84–8.92, p < 0.001) and DILI (N = 12 trials, n = 1229; OR = 4.82 95% CI = 2.46–9.45, p < 0.001) compared to placebo controls. In participants taking cannabidiol (N = 28 trials, n = 1533), the pooled proportion of liver enzyme elevations was 0.074 (95% CI 0.0448–0.1212), and DILI was 0.0296 (95% CI 0.0136–0.0631). High-dose CBD (≥1000 mg/day or ≥20 mg/kg/day) and concomitant antiepileptic drug use were identified as risk factors. No cases were reported in adults using cannabidiol doses <300 mg/day. No cases of severe DILI were reported. Conclusions: Cannabidiol-associated liver enzyme elevations and DILI meet the criteria of common adverse drug events. Clinicians are encouraged to screen for cannabidiol use and monitor liver function in patients at increased risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)724-752
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Internal Medicine
Volume293
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • CBD
  • adverse events
  • cannabidiol
  • drug-induced liver injury
  • liver

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cannabidiol-associated hepatotoxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this