Drug & supplement interaction

Corydalis Yanhusuo + Flurazepam

Flurazepam brand names: Dalmane, Somnol, Apo-Flurazepam, Bio-Flurazepam, Novo-Flurazepam, and others.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Corydalis Yanhusuo has a moderate interaction with Flurazepam. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Corydalis Yanhusuo and Flurazepam

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

Moderate

CNS DEPRESSANTS

Why this applies to Flurazepam

Flurazepam falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Corydalis Yanhusuo interacts with.

Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Corydalis yanhusuo contains berberine. Animal research suggests that berberine may have sedative effects. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might also have CNS depressants effects.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

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

Flurazepam is a benzodiazepine sleeping pill, so it already works by calming down brain activity to help you doze off. The concern here is simple: Corydalis yanhusuo may have its own sedating, calming effect, so pairing it with flurazepam could stack one layer of drowsiness on top of another. That might leave you groggier than expected, with more daytime sleepiness, dizziness, slowed thinking, or unsteadiness on your feet (a real fall risk, especially overnight or first thing in the morning).

I want to be honest about the strength of this one. It's theoretical, based on how corydalis behaves in lab and animal studies, not solid human research. It may never cause you trouble, but since both push in the same sleepy direction, please run it by your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  2. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
  3. Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
  4. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.

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

Corydalis Yanhusuo Also Interacts With Other Medications

Corydalis Yanhusuo has 1,159 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Flurazepam one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Corydalis Yanhusuo

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Flurazepam

This page covers Corydalis Yanhusuo only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Flurazepam page lists 99 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 Grapefruit (major).

By severity: 8 major · 76 moderate · 15 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Flurazepam page

“Beer and wine sit at the top of this list for good reason. Alcohol taken with flurazepam (Dalmane), a long-acting benzodiazepine sleep medicine, can deepen sedation dangerously, a major-rated and well documented interaction.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Flurazepam interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Corydalis Yanhusuo and Flurazepam 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 Corydalis Yanhusuo
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Flurazepam
Steady interest

#2,285 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 Corydalis Yanhusuo

What is Corydalis Yanhusuo?

  • Pain relief
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Headache
  • Stress and sleep support
  • Stomach and abdominal discomfort

Corydalis yanhusuo is a traditional Chinese herb used mainly for pain. Some early laboratory and animal research suggests its compounds may affect pain and the nervous system, but high-quality human studies are limited, so its true benefits and long-term safety are not well established. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Corydalis Yanhusuo monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Flurazepam

What Is Flurazepam Used For?

Brand names: Dalmane, Somnol, Apo-Flurazepam, Bio-Flurazepam, Novo-Flurazepam, PMS-Flurazepam, Som Pam

Flurazepam Hydrochloride capsules are used to treat insomnia. Specifically, they help with difficulty falling asleep, frequent wake-ups during the night, and early morning awakening.

Because insomnia is often short-lived, flurazepam is generally intended for short-term use. If sleep problems don't improve within 7 to 10 days of treatment, a healthcare provider should evaluate whether an underlying medical or psychiatric condition may be the cause.

See full Flurazepam drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Corydalis Yanhusuo

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

0Major
1,159Moderate
0Minor
1,670No known interaction
Moderate

1,159 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,159 moderate interactions — see all 1,159 on the Corydalis Yanhusuo page.

No interaction 1,670 drugs checked — show the list
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
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Corydalis Yanhusuo and Flurazepam Together: Common Questions

Can you take Corydalis Yanhusuo with Flurazepam?
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 Corydalis Yanhusuo and Flurazepam 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 Flurazepam and Corydalis Yanhusuo?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.