Drug & supplement interaction

Fucus Vesiculosus + Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide

Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide brand name: Limbitrol DS.

Minor Interaction
The bottom line Minor

Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls into 3 drug categories that Fucus Vesiculosus can interact with; the most serious is rated minor. Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2D6 substrates might alter the effects of these substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityMinor
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Fucus Vesiculosus and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Fucus Vesiculosus interacts with whole categories of medication. Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Fucus Vesiculosus in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Minor).

Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide

Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Fucus Vesiculosus interacts with.

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2D6 substrates might alter the effects of these substrates.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, both inhibits and induces CYP2D6. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Minor 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

Limbitrol DS combines amitriptyline (an antidepressant) with chlordiazepoxide (a calming benzodiazepine). The amitriptyline part is processed by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6, and a compound in bladderwrack (fucoidan) has shown in lab dishes that it can both block and speed up that same enzyme. Honestly, this is very weak, theoretical evidence. It has never actually been reported in people, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

If anything did shift, you might notice more amitriptyline-type effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, or dizziness, or possibly less benefit. My bigger concern with bladderwrack is its high, unpredictable iodine load, which can upset your thyroid. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding it.

References
  1. Mathew L, Burney M, Gaikwad A, et al. Preclinical evaluation of safety of fucoidan extracts from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus for use in cancer treatment. Integr Cancer Ther 2017;16(4):572-84.
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2C9 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, inhibits CYP2C9. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Minor 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

Here's the short version on combining bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) with Limbitrol, which is amitriptyline mixed with chlordiazepoxide. In lab testing only, a compound in this seaweed called fucoidan appears to slow down CYP2C9, one of the liver enzymes that helps clear these medicines. In theory, that could let a bit more drug build up. Neither of these medicines is a prodrug, so more in your system means a stronger effect, not a weaker one.

If that happened, you might notice more of their usual side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, or feeling foggy. The important thing to know is this has only been seen in a test tube, never in real people, and it's rated minor. Still, since these drugs are sedating, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding the seaweed.

References
  1. Mathew L, Burney M, Gaikwad A, et al. Preclinical evaluation of safety of fucoidan extracts from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus for use in cancer treatment. Integr Cancer Ther 2017;16(4):572-84.
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP3A4 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, inhibits CYP3A4. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Minor 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

Limbitrol DS combines amitriptyline (an antidepressant) with chlordiazepoxide (a benzodiazepine for anxiety), and both are partly cleared by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. A compound in bladderwrack called fucoidan has been shown to slow that enzyme down, but only in lab dish studies, not in actual people. In theory, slowing it could let these two medicines build up a little, which might mean more drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, or feeling groggy and unsteady.

Honestly, the evidence here is very thin, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. The bigger concern with this seaweed is its high iodine load and your thyroid. Still, since both these drugs can already make you sleepy, run any bladderwrack supplement past your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Mathew L, Burney M, Gaikwad A, et al. Preclinical evaluation of safety of fucoidan extracts from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus for use in cancer treatment. Integr Cancer Ther 2017;16(4):572-84.

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

Fucus Vesiculosus Also Interacts With Other Medications

Fucus Vesiculosus has 23 moderate, 867 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Fucus Vesiculosus

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide

This page covers Fucus Vesiculosus only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide page lists 298 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), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major) and Beer (major).

By severity: 17 major · 231 moderate · 50 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide page

“Alcohol is the first thing to know about here. Beer and wine both carry major, well-documented interactions with Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide (Limbitrol DS), because both drugs already slow the central nervous system, and anything sedating layered on top can deepen ordinary drowsiness into something dangerous.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Fucus Vesiculosus and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide 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 Fucus Vesiculosus
Steady interest

#1,086 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
Steady interest

#1,746 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 Fucus Vesiculosus

What is Fucus Vesiculosus?

Fucus Vesiculosus
  • Thyroid support
  • Iodine source
  • Weight management
  • Joint and skin care (topical)
  • Constipation and digestive support

Fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack) is a brown seaweed rich in iodine that has been used traditionally for thyroid concerns, weight, and skin. There is little solid human evidence to support most of these uses, and its high and variable iodine content can actually harm the thyroid. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a thyroid condition.

Read the full Fucus Vesiculosus monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Fucus Vesiculosus

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

0Major
23Moderate
867Minor
1,939No known interaction
Moderate

23 interactions

Minor

867 interactions

Showing 60 of 867 minor interactions — see all 867 on the Fucus Vesiculosus page.

No interaction 1,939 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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Fucus Vesiculosus and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Fucus Vesiculosus with Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide?
There is only a minor interaction, which is usually not serious. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Fucus Vesiculosus and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide?
Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide belongs to more than one drug category, and Fucus Vesiculosus interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Fucus Vesiculosus and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide interaction?
We rate it Minor. This interaction is generally not clinically significant, but it remains worth noting and discussing with your pharmacist.

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.