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      Drugs & Diseases

      Valerian (Herb/Suppl)

      Brand and Other Names:all heal, amantilla, more...baldrian, baldrianwurzel, garden heliotrope, herba benedicta, Valeriana edulis, Valeriana jatamansii, Valeriana officinalis, Valeriana sitchensis, valeriana spp, Valeriana wallichii
      • Print

      Suggested Dosing

      Insomnia

      Aqueous Extract: 400-900 mg PO up to 2 hours before bedtime

      Ethanolic extract: 600 mg PO HS

      Root (fresh or dried): 2-3 g PO qDay-TID

      Combinations with hops or lemon balm: 320-500 mg PO HS

      No more than 28 days

      Next:

      Suggested Uses

      Insomnia/sleep disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, epilepsy, infantile convulsions, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, restlessness, tremors

      Efficacy

      Promotes falling asleep, but does not reduce night awakenings

      Does not relieve insomnia as fast as benzodiazepines

      Previous
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      Interactions

      Interaction Checker

      and Valerian

      No Results

         activity indicator 
        No Interactions Found
        Interactions Found

        Contraindicated

          Serious - Use Alternative

            Significant - Monitor Closely

              Minor

                All Interactions Sort By:
                 activity indicator 

                Contraindicated (0)

                  Serious - Use Alternative (66)

                  • alfentanil

                    valerian and alfentanil both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • alprazolam

                    valerian and alprazolam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • amobarbital

                    valerian increases effects of amobarbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                    valerian and amobarbital both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • atracurium

                    valerian and atracurium both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • belinostat

                    valerian will increase the level or effect of belinostat by decreasing metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Strong UGT inhibitors decrease metabolism of belinostat; reduce belinostat starting dose to 750 mg/m2 when coadministered with UGT inhibitors or in patients known to be homozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele

                  • buprenorphine

                    valerian and buprenorphine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • buprenorphine buccal

                    valerian and buprenorphine buccal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • buprenorphine subdermal implant

                    valerian and buprenorphine subdermal implant both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • buprenorphine transdermal

                    valerian and buprenorphine transdermal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • butabarbital

                    valerian increases effects of butabarbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                    valerian and butabarbital both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • butalbital

                    valerian increases effects of butalbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                    valerian and butalbital both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • butorphanol

                    valerian and butorphanol both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • chloral hydrate

                    valerian and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • chlordiazepoxide

                    valerian and chlordiazepoxide both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • cisatracurium

                    valerian and cisatracurium both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • clonazepam

                    valerian and clonazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • clorazepate

                    valerian and clorazepate both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • codeine

                    valerian and codeine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • dexmedetomidine

                    valerian and dexmedetomidine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • diazepam

                    valerian and diazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • doxylamine

                    valerian and doxylamine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • estazolam

                    valerian and estazolam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • eszopiclone

                    valerian and eszopiclone both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • ethanol

                    valerian and ethanol both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • fentanyl

                    valerian and fentanyl both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • fentanyl intranasal

                    valerian and fentanyl intranasal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • fentanyl transdermal

                    valerian and fentanyl transdermal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • fentanyl transmucosal

                    valerian and fentanyl transmucosal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • flurazepam

                    valerian and flurazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • gabapentin

                    valerian and gabapentin both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • hydromorphone

                    valerian and hydromorphone both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • levorphanol

                    valerian and levorphanol both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • lorazepam

                    valerian and lorazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • meperidine

                    valerian and meperidine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • methadone

                    valerian and methadone both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • metoclopramide intranasal

                    valerian, metoclopramide intranasal. Either increases effects of the other by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Comment: Avoid use of metoclopramide intranasal or interacting drug, depending on importance of drug to patient.

                  • midazolam

                    valerian and midazolam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • morphine

                    valerian and morphine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • nalbuphine

                    valerian and nalbuphine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • olopatadine intranasal

                    valerian and olopatadine intranasal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.

                  • oxazepam

                    valerian and oxazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • oxycodone

                    valerian and oxycodone both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • oxymorphone

                    valerian and oxymorphone both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • pancuronium

                    valerian and pancuronium both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • pentazocine

                    valerian and pentazocine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • pentobarbital

                    valerian increases effects of pentobarbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                    valerian and pentobarbital both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • pexidartinib

                    valerian will increase the level or effect of pexidartinib by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Pexdartinib is a UGTA4 substrate. Reduce pexdartinib dose if concomitant use of UGT inhibitors cannot be avoided (refer to drug monograph dosage modifications). After discontinuing the CYP3A4 inhibitor for 3 elimination half-lives, may resume previous pexidartinib dose.

                  • phenobarbital

                    valerian increases effects of phenobarbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • quazepam

                    valerian and quazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • ramelteon

                    valerian and ramelteon both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • remifentanil

                    valerian and remifentanil both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • rocuronium

                    valerian and rocuronium both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • ropeginterferon alfa 2b

                    ropeginterferon alfa 2b and valerian both increase Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Narcotics, hypnotics or sedatives can produce additive neuropsychiatric side effects. Avoid use and monitor patients receiving the combination for effects of excessive CNS toxicity.

                  • secobarbital

                    valerian increases effects of secobarbital by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May enhance CNS depression.

                    valerian and secobarbital both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • succinylcholine

                    valerian and succinylcholine both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • sufentanil

                    valerian and sufentanil both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • sufentanil SL

                    valerian and sufentanil SL both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • suvorexant

                    valerian and suvorexant both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • tapentadol

                    valerian and tapentadol both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • tasimelteon

                    valerian and tasimelteon both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • temazepam

                    valerian and temazepam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • tramadol

                    valerian and tramadol both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • triazolam

                    valerian and triazolam both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • vecuronium

                    valerian and vecuronium both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • zaleplon

                    valerian and zaleplon both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  • zolpidem

                    valerian and zolpidem both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

                  Monitor Closely (52)

                  • amitriptyline

                    valerian and amitriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • amoxapine

                    valerian and amoxapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • azelastine

                    valerian increases effects of azelastine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • brexanolone

                    brexanolone, valerian. Either increases toxicity of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • brompheniramine

                    valerian increases effects of brompheniramine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • carbinoxamine

                    valerian increases effects of carbinoxamine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • cenobamate

                    cenobamate, valerian. Either increases effects of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • chloral hydrate

                    valerian increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • chlorpheniramine

                    valerian increases effects of chlorpheniramine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • cinnarizine

                    valerian increases effects of cinnarizine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • citalopram

                    valerian and citalopram both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • clemastine

                    valerian increases effects of clemastine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • clomipramine

                    valerian and clomipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • cyclizine

                    valerian increases effects of cyclizine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • cyproheptadine

                    valerian increases effects of cyproheptadine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • daridorexant

                    valerian and daridorexant both increase sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.

                  • desipramine

                    valerian and desipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • desvenlafaxine

                    valerian and desvenlafaxine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • dexchlorpheniramine

                    valerian increases effects of dexchlorpheniramine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • dexmedetomidine

                    valerian increases effects of dexmedetomidine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • difelikefalin

                    difelikefalin and valerian both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • dimenhydrinate

                    valerian increases effects of dimenhydrinate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • diphenhydramine

                    valerian increases effects of diphenhydramine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • doxepin

                    valerian and doxepin both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • doxylamine

                    valerian increases effects of doxylamine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • duloxetine

                    valerian and duloxetine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • escitalopram

                    valerian and escitalopram both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • esketamine intranasal

                    esketamine intranasal, valerian. Either increases toxicity of the other by sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.

                  • fluoxetine

                    valerian and fluoxetine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • fluvoxamine

                    fluvoxamine and valerian both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • ganaxolone

                    valerian and ganaxolone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • hydroxyzine

                    valerian increases effects of hydroxyzine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • imipramine

                    valerian and imipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • isocarboxazid

                    valerian and isocarboxazid both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • lasmiditan

                    lasmiditan, valerian. Either increases effects of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor. Coadministration of lasmiditan and other CNS depressant drugs, including alcohol have not been evaluated in clinical studies. Lasmiditan may cause sedation, as well as other cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric adverse reactions.

                  • lemborexant

                    lemborexant will increase the level or effect of valerian by sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Dosage adjustment may be necessary if lemborexant is coadministered with other CNS depressants because of potentially additive effects.

                  • levomilnacipran

                    valerian and levomilnacipran both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • lithium

                    valerian and lithium both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • midazolam intranasal

                    midazolam intranasal, valerian. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Concomitant use of barbiturates, alcohol, or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of hypoventilation, airway obstruction, desaturation, or apnea and may contribute to profound and/or prolonged drug effect.

                  • milnacipran

                    valerian and milnacipran both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • nortriptyline

                    valerian and nortriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • paroxetine

                    valerian and paroxetine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • phenelzine

                    valerian and phenelzine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • primidone

                    valerian increases effects of primidone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • promethazine

                    valerian increases effects of promethazine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • protriptyline

                    valerian and protriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • sertraline

                    valerian and sertraline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • tranylcypromine

                    valerian and tranylcypromine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • triclofos

                    valerian increases effects of triclofos by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • trimipramine

                    valerian and trimipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  • triprolidine

                    valerian increases effects of triprolidine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.

                  • venlafaxine

                    valerian and venlafaxine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.

                  Minor (2)

                  • irinotecan

                    valerian will increase the level or effect of irinotecan by decreasing metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown. UGT1A1 inhibitors decrease irinotecan metabolism

                  • irinotecan liposomal

                    valerian will increase the level or effect of irinotecan liposomal by decreasing metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown. UGT1A1 inhibitors decrease irinotecan metabolism

                  Previous
                  Next:

                  Adverse Effects

                  Frequency Not Defined

                  Cardiac disturbances

                  Excitability

                  Headache

                  Hepatotoxicity

                  Insomnia

                  Morning drowsiness

                  Sedation

                  Uneasiness

                  Withdrawal syndrome (chronic use)

                  Previous
                  Next:

                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  None reported

                  Cautions

                  Concurrent CNS depressants

                  Concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates

                  Previous
                  Next:

                  Pregnancy & Lactation

                  Pregnancy Category: avoid use

                  Lactation: avoid use

                  Pregnancy Categories

                  A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                  B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                  C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                  D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                  X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                  NA: Information not available.

                  Previous
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                  Pharmacology

                  Metabolism: N/A

                  Excretion: N/A

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Active constituents: valepotriates

                  Inhibits re-uptake of GABA

                  Previous
                  Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.
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