Cannabidiol (cbd) + Divalproex Sodium
Divalproex Sodium brand name: Depakote.
Divalproex Sodium falls into 2 drug categories that Cannabidiol (cbd) can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, cannabidiol might have additive effects if used with other CNS depressants.
Read the full interaction reportCannabidiol (cbd) and Divalproex Sodium
These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 2 Interactions?
Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with whole categories of medication. Divalproex Sodium falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Cannabidiol (cbd) in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CNS DEPRESSANTS
1 of 2Why this applies to Divalproex Sodium
Divalproex Sodium falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with.
Preliminary clinical research, case reports, and animal studies suggest that high dose cannabidiol has sedative and hypnotic effects. Theoretically, concomitant use of cannabidiol with drugs with sedative and anesthetic properties may cause additive therapeutic and adverse effects.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Here's the simple version: both CBD and Depakote (divalproex sodium) can make you feel sleepy or foggy, so taking them together may stack that drowsiness. You might notice more tiredness, dizziness, trouble concentrating, or feeling slowed down. This is mostly a theoretical concern based on how each one behaves, especially at higher CBD doses, rather than something proven in big studies.
There's also a second thing worth a mention. CBD and Depakote can each affect the liver, and a few reports show their combination may raise liver enzymes. Because Depakote already needs occasional blood monitoring, it's smart to loop in your pharmacist or doctor before adding CBD so they can keep an eye on things. Please don't change your dose on your own.
- Carlini EA, Cunha JM. Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. J Clin Pharmacol 1981;21(8-9 Suppl):417S-27S. PubMed
- Monti JM. Hypnoticlike effects of cannabidiol in the rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1977;55(3):263-5. PubMed
- Pickens JT. Sedative activity of cannabis in relation to its delta'-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol content. Br J Pharmacol 1981;72(4):649-56.
- Perez-Vilar S, Karami S, Long K, Leishear K. Cannabidiol exposures in the United States, National Poison Data System, July 2014-June 2021. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022. PubMed
VALPROATE
2 of 2Divalproex Sodium also falls under VALPROATE.
In clinical research, concomitant administration of valproic acid and cannabidiol is associated with elevated liver transaminases and rare cases of thrombocytopenia. Liver transaminase levels and platelet counts should be closely monitored when cannabidiol and valproic acid are taken together. Liver transaminase elevation appears to be mild in the majority of cases; however, severe elevations can occur. At least 15 cases of thrombocytopenia have been reported following concomitant administration of valproic acid and cannabidiol. While thrombocytopenia is a known adverse effect with valproic acid, the risk may be modestly higher when cannabidiol and valproic acid are administered concomitantly. It is unclear if and how cannabidiol contributes to the risk of these adverse events, as there does not appear to be a direct pharmacokinetic interaction. Pharmacokinetic studies in humans show that coadministration of valproate with cannabidiol does not have clinically meaningful effects on levels of valproate or its metabolite 4-ene-VPA.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Here's the situation when CBD and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are used together. Interestingly, this isn't about one changing the other's blood levels. Studies show CBD doesn't meaningfully raise or lower how much valproate is in your system. Instead, when the two are combined, we tend to see added stress on the liver (showing up as higher liver enzymes on bloodwork) and, in some cases, a drop in platelets (the cells that help your blood clot).
This comes from good-quality research, so it's worth taking seriously, though most liver changes are mild. Watch for signs like unusual tiredness, yellowing skin or eyes, easy bruising, or bleeding that won't stop. Don't stop either one on your own. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist first, since they may simply want to check your liver enzymes and platelet counts with periodic blood tests.
- Devinsky O, Cross JH, Laux L, et al. Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017 May 25;376(21):2011-2020. PubMed
- Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP; UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. PubMed
- Hess EJ, Moody KA, Geffrey AL, et al. Cannabidiol as a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016 Oct;57(10):1617-24. PubMed
- Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, et la. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8.
- Devinsky O, Patel AD, Cross JH, et al. Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2018 May 17;378(20):1888-1897. PubMed
- Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-1096.
- Klotz KA, Grob D, Hirsch M, Metternich B, Schulze-Bonhage A, Jacobs J. Efficacy and Tolerance of Synthetic Cannabidiol for Treatment of Drug Resistant Epilepsy. Front Neurol. 2019 Dec 10;10:1313. PubMed
- Ben-Menachem E, Gunning B, Arenas Cabrera CM, et al. A Phase II Randomized Trial to Explore the Potential for Pharmacokinetic Drug-Drug Interactions with Stiripentol or Valproate when Combined with Cannabidiol in Patients with Epilepsy. CNS Drugs. 2020;34 PubMed
- Morrison G, Crockett J, Blakey G, Sommerville K. A Phase 1, Open-Label, Pharmacokinetic Trial to Investigate Possible Drug-Drug Interactions Between Clobazam, Stiripentol, or Valproate and Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2019;8(8 PubMed
- McNamara NA, Dang LT, Sturza J, et al. Thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients on concurrent cannabidiol and valproic acid. Epilepsia. 2020. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
- ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
- UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
- AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
- BCase-control study.
- CConsensus.
- DAnecdotal evidence.
These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
Cannabidiol (cbd) Also Interacts With Other Medications
Cannabidiol (cbd) has 1,050 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Divalproex Sodium one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Cannabidiol (cbd)
We haven’t checked that one against Cannabidiol (cbd) yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd). Pick one to open its full report.
Questions About Cannabidiol (cbd) or Divalproex Sodium
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Cannabidiol (cbd) or Divalproex Sodium, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:
- Can You Take Lion's Mane With Sodium Valproate? ›
- Can You Take 5-HTP Supplements With Valproic Acid? ›
- Does Propranolol Cause Hair Loss? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Divalproex Sodium
This page covers Cannabidiol (cbd) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Divalproex Sodium page lists 134 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) (major) and Kava (major).
By severity: 7 major · 110 moderate · 17 minor.
Where Cannabidiol (cbd) and Divalproex Sodium Sit Against Everything Else
Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.
#553 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,153 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.
About Cannabidiol (cbd)
What is Cannabidiol (cbd)?
- Anxiety and stress
- Sleep problems
- Chronic pain
- Certain seizure disorders
- Inflammation
CBD is a compound from the cannabis (hemp) plant that does not cause a 'high.' It has strong evidence only for certain rare seizure disorders (as a prescription drug), while most other popular uses are still backed by limited or early research. Product quality varies a lot, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take other medicines.
About Valproic Acid
What Is Valproic Acid Used For?
Brand name: Depakote
Valproic acid capsules (brands Valproic and Valproic Acid) and valproic acid oral solution (brand Valproic Acid) are both used to treat epilepsy. Specifically, they are approved for complex partial seizures (either alone or with other seizure types) as monotherapy or add-on therapy, and for simple and complex absence seizures as sole therapy or add-on therapy.
Both forms are intended for adults and pediatric patients. Always follow your prescriber's guidance on which product and regimen is right for you.
Other Drugs & Cannabidiol (cbd)
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
1,050 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Flurazepam ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Bupropion ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Orphenadrine ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Apomorphine ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Nitrazepam ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Griseofulvin ›
- Ivabradine ›
Showing 60 of 1,050 moderate interactions — see all 1,050 on the Cannabidiol (cbd) page.
No interaction 1,779 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Cannabidiol (cbd) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Aspirin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Docusate ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Mannitol ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Levodopa ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Atenolol ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Tocainide ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Insulin Human, Sodium Chloride ›
- Bleomycin ›
- Ribavirin Aerosol ›
- Casanthranol, Docusate ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,779 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cannabidiol (cbd) list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Divalproex Sodium Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Divalproex Sodium as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Cannabidiol (cbd) — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Divalproex Sodium nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Cannabidiol (cbd) and Divalproex Sodium Together: Common Questions
Can you take Cannabidiol (cbd) with Divalproex Sodium?
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Cannabidiol (cbd) and Divalproex Sodium?
How serious is the Cannabidiol (cbd) and Divalproex Sodium interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.