Drug & supplement interaction

Nutmeg + Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide brand name: Librax.

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

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide falls into 3 drug categories that Nutmeg can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, nutmeg might increase the risk of additive sedation when taken with CNS depressants.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Nutmeg and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

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

Moderate

CNS DEPRESSANTS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Nutmeg interacts with.

Theoretically, nutmeg might increase the risk of additive sedation when taken with CNS depressants.
Animal studies suggest that nutmeg extracts and several volatile oils in nutmeg, such as methyleugenol, isoeugenol, safrole, myristicin, trimyristin, 1,8-cineole, and geranyl acetate, have sedative effects. One animal study shows that petroleum ether extracts of nutmeg can potentiate the effects of pentobarbital or phenobarbital. However, evidence from other animal research suggests that the nutmeg constituent myristicin can actually reduce sleeping time in rats pretreated with phenobarbital.
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

Here's the simple version: the chlordiazepoxide part of Librax is a benzodiazepine, which already calms the brain and can make you drowsy. Some lab and animal studies hint that certain oils in nutmeg may add to that sedating effect. So in theory, pairing the two could leave you feeling extra sleepy, foggy, lightheaded, or slow to react.

I want to be honest about the strength of this, though. It comes from animal and test-tube research only, and one study even pointed the opposite way, so this is far from proven in people. The amount of nutmeg you sprinkle into food is very unlikely to cause trouble. Large "medicinal" doses of nutmeg are a different story (and unsafe on their own). If you're considering nutmeg supplements, run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Sangalli BC, Chiang W. Toxicology of nutmeg abuse. Clin Toxicol 2000;38:671-8. PubMed
  2. Hallstrom H, Thuvander A. Toxicological evaluation of myristicin. Nat Toxins 1997;5:186-92. DOI
  3. Jeong HG, Yun CH. Induction of rat hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by myristicin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995;217:966-71. PubMed
  4. Sell AB, Carlini EA. Anesthetic action of methyleugenol and other eugenol derivatives. Pharmacology. 1976;14(4):367-77. PubMed
  5. Fundarò A, Cassone MC. [Action of essential oils of chamomile, cinnamon, absinthium, mace and origanum on operant conditioning behavior of the rat]. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1980;56(22):2375-80.
  6. Grover JK, Khandkar S, Vats V, Dhunnoo Y, Das D. Pharmacological studies on Myristica fragrans--antidiarrheal, hypnotic, analgesic and hemodynamic (blood pressure) parameters. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2002;24(10):675-80. PubMed
  7. Sherry CJ, Ray LE, Herron RE. The pharmacological effects of the ligroin extract of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). J Ethnopharmacol. 1982;6(1):61-6.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, nutmeg might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Animal research suggests that intraperitoneal injections of myristicin, a constituent of nutmeg, can induce CYP1A2.
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

Here's the gist with Librax (chlordiazepoxide plus clidinium) and nutmeg. The chlordiazepoxide part is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. A compound in nutmeg called myristicin may speed that enzyme up, which could in theory clear the chlordiazepoxide a little faster. If that happened, you might notice it working less well, with a bit less of the calming, anti-anxiety, or anti-spasm benefit you're counting on.

But I want to keep this in perspective. This idea comes only from animal studies using injected myristicin, not from people taking nutmeg by mouth, so it's mostly theoretical. Everyday cooking amounts of nutmeg are very unlikely to matter. Never take large 'medicinal' nutmeg doses, and check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're unsure.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Jeong HG, Yun CH. Induction of rat hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by myristicin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995;217:966-71. PubMed
Moderate

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

3 of 3

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide also falls under ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS.

Theoretically, concomitant use of nutmeg and anticholinergic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of either agent.
Animal research suggests that nutmeg extract can inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels.
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

Here's the gist with Librax, which pairs a benzodiazepine (chlordiazepoxide) with an anticholinergic (clidinium). The clidinium piece works by blocking acetylcholine to calm stomach spasms and cramps. In animal and lab studies, nutmeg appears to do the opposite, nudging acetylcholine levels up. In theory, that could push against the clidinium and make it a little less effective at settling your gut.

I want to stress how thin this evidence is. It comes only from test-tube and animal work, not from people, so it's more of a maybe than a real-world worry. Everyday cooking amounts of nutmeg are very unlikely to cause any problem, and large medicinal doses are dangerous for other reasons anyway. Please don't change anything on your own. If you're curious, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Mukherjee PK, Kumar V, Houghton PJ. Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Phytother Res. 2007;21(12):1142-5. PubMed

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

Nutmeg Also Interacts With Other Medications

Nutmeg has 527 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 527 No known interaction 2,303 (incl. Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Nutmeg

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

This page covers Nutmeg only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide page lists 188 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: 10 major · 142 moderate · 36 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide page

“Librax combines chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine, with clidinium, an anticholinergic, and both halves interact with supplements, 188 ingredients in all. This is a list to approach with real care, starting with the 10 rated major.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 182 real supplement products containing Nutmeg, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Nutmeg. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide too, on top of Nutmeg — 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 Nutmeg and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide 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 Nutmeg
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide
Steady interest

#1,917 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 Nutmeg

What is Nutmeg?

Nutmeg
  • Digestive upset
  • Diarrhea
  • Sleep and relaxation
  • Pain and inflammation
  • Flavoring spice

Nutmeg is a popular cooking spice that has long been used in traditional medicine for digestion and other complaints, but there is little solid human research to support its medicinal use. In normal cooking amounts it is generally safe, but larger "medicinal" doses can cause serious poisoning, so it should never be taken in high amounts.

Read the full Nutmeg monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Chlordiazepoxide and Clidinium

What Is Chlordiazepoxide and Clidinium Used For?

Brand name: Librax

Chlordiazepoxide and clidinium capsules are used to help control both the physical and emotional factors involved in gastrointestinal (digestive) disorders. This includes use as add-on therapy for peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome (also called irritable colon, spastic colon, or mucous colitis), and acute enterocolitis (sudden inflammation of the intestines).

Librax is one brand available in capsule form and is approved for the same set of gastrointestinal uses.

See full Chlordiazepoxide and Clidinium drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Nutmeg

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

0Major
527Moderate
0Minor
2,302No known interaction
527 Moderate 2,302 No interaction
Moderate

527 interactions

Showing 60 of 527 moderate interactions — see all 527 on the Nutmeg page.

No interaction 2,302 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,302 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Nutmeg list.

See the full Nutmeg interactions page
See every supplement checked against Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide, 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
Nutmeg monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide, ranked by severity Chlordiazepoxide and Clidinium drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication 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 Nutmeg and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Nutmeg with Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide?
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.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Nutmeg and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide?
Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide belongs to more than one drug category, and Nutmeg 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 Nutmeg and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide 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 Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide and Nutmeg?

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.