Drug & supplement interaction

Chenopodium Oil + Sodium valproate

Sodium valproate brand name: Epilim.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Chenopodium Oil has a moderate interaction with Sodium valproate. Theoretically, concomitant use of chenopodium oil with other photosensitizing drugs can increase the risk of adverse effects.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Chenopodium Oil and Sodium valproate

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS

Why this applies to Sodium valproate

Sodium valproate falls under PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS — the group Chenopodium Oil interacts with.

Theoretically, concomitant use of chenopodium oil with other photosensitizing drugs can increase the risk of adverse effects.
Chenopodium species are also associated with photosensitivity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction 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..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the situation with sodium valproate (Epilim) and chenopodium oil. This isn't about the oil changing your valproate levels or how your liver handles the drug. Instead, it's about your skin. Both chenopodium plants and valproate have been linked to photosensitivity, meaning they can make your skin react more strongly to sunlight. Stacking the two together could, in theory, raise the chance of a sunburn-like rash or skin irritation after time outdoors.

I'll be honest, this concern is theoretical and based on how these substances behave, not on solid studies in people. Valproate skin reactions are uncommon to begin with. Still, chenopodium oil itself isn't recommended for internal use because it can be quite toxic. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, and use sun protection if you do.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • 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.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • 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.

Keep it in perspective

Chenopodium Oil Also Interacts With Other Medications

Chenopodium Oil has 334 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Sodium valproate one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 334 No known interaction 2,496 (incl. Sodium valproate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Chenopodium Oil

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Chenopodium Oil. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Sodium valproate

This page covers Chenopodium Oil only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Sodium valproate page lists 173 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: 9 major · 147 moderate · 17 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Sodium valproate page

“Sodium valproate (Epilim) controls seizures and stabilizes mood, and the supplement list on this page warrants genuine care rather than a quick skim. Nine of the 173 ingredients on file carry a major rating, and most of the danger follows two patterns.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Sodium valproate interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Chenopodium Oil as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1 real supplement products containing Chenopodium Oil, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Chenopodium Oil. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Sodium valproate too, on top of Chenopodium Oil — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Chenopodium Oil and Sodium valproate 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.

Supplement Chenopodium Oil
Steady interest

#1,386 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Sodium valproate
Steady interest

#1,732 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

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.

Supplement

About Chenopodium Oil

What is Chenopodium Oil?

Chenopodium Oil
  • Intestinal worms (roundworm, hookworm)
  • Digestive upset and gas
  • Respiratory complaints
  • Skin conditions
  • As a culinary seasoning (epazote leaf)

Chenopodium oil is a strong-smelling essential oil from the epazote plant that was historically used to treat intestinal worms. It contains ascaridole, a compound that is quite toxic, and overdoses have caused serious harm, so it is no longer recommended for internal use. Safer modern deworming medicines exist, so talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using this oil.

Read the full Chenopodium Oil monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Chenopodium Oil

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Chenopodium Oil — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
334Moderate
0Minor
2,495No known interaction
334 Moderate 2,495 No interaction
Moderate

334 interactions

Showing 60 of 334 moderate interactions — see all 334 on the Chenopodium Oil page.

No interaction 2,495 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Chenopodium Oil against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,495 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Chenopodium Oil list.

See the full Chenopodium Oil interactions page
See every supplement checked against Sodium valproate, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

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

Keep exploring
Chenopodium Oil monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Sodium valproate supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Sodium valproate, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Chenopodium Oil and Sodium valproate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Chenopodium Oil with Sodium valproate?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Chenopodium Oil and Sodium valproate interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Sodium valproate and Chenopodium Oil?

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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.