Drug & supplement interaction

Panax Ginseng + Sodium valproate

Sodium valproate brand name: Epilim.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Sodium valproate states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Sodium valproate and Panax Ginseng in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Panax Ginseng safety at a glance

Panax Ginseng overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but quality and long-term safety vary.

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Ginsenoside Rb1, an active constituent of Panax ginseng, has teratogenic effects in animal models; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety data; avoid while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Sodium valproate and Panax Ginseng? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Sodium valproate

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Sodium valproate is filed under 8 classifications — including valproate, anticonvulsants, serotonergic drugs. Panax Ginseng has documented interactions with 20 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), antidiabetes drugs (moderate) and caffeine (moderate) — and none of Sodium valproate’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Panax Ginseng Does Interact With Other Medications

Panax Ginseng has 1,130 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Sodium valproate isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,130 No known interaction 1,700 (incl. Sodium valproate)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Panax Ginseng

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 7 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

Mania or an unusually elevated mood Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“Orally, one of the most common side effects to Panax ginseng is insomnia. Headache, vertigo, euphoria, and mania have also been reported. Migraine and somnolence occurred in single subjects in a clinical trial. In a case report of a 46-year-old female, orobuccolingual dyskinesia occurred following oral use of a preparation containing black cohosh 20 mg and Panax ginseng 50 mg twice daily for menopausal symptoms.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.
6 sources cited

589. Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:65-72.

89734. Malati CY, Robertson SM, Hunt JD, Chairez C, Alfaro RM, Kovacs JA, Penzak SR. Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants. J Clin Pharmacol 2012;52(6):932-9.

111336. Liu J, Chang D, Cordato D, et al. A pilot randomized controlled trial of WeiNaoKang (SaiLuoTong) in treating vascular dementia. Aging Med (Milton). 2022;5(4):246-256. PubMed

114985. Arabi SM, Shahraki-Jazinaki M, Nayyerabadi M, et al. The Effect of Ginseng Supplementation on Lipid Profile: GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des 2024;30(26):2047-205. PubMed

594. Gonzalez-Seijo JC, Ramos YM, Lastra I. Manic episode and ginseng: Report of a possible case. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;15:447-8.

23638. Kim, T. H., Jeon, S. H., Hahn, E. J., Paek, K. Y., Park, J. K., Youn, N. Y., and Lee, H. L. Effects of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) extract on male patients with erectile dysfunction. Asian J Androl 2009;11(3):356-361. PubMed
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
An irregular heartbeat Worth acting on Additional detail

Panax Ginseng

“Orally, Panax ginseng is generally well tolerated when used for up to 6 months. There is some concern about the long-term safety due to potential hormone-like effects.

Topically, no adverse effects have been reported when ginseng is used as a single ingredient.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in arrhythmia.

Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
A severe skin reaction Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“Orally, Panax ginseng may cause itching or an allergic response consisting of systemic rash and pruritus. Skin eruptions have also been reported with use of Panax ginseng at high dosage, long-term. Uncommon side effects with oral Panax ginseng include Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

In one case report, a 6-year-old male with a previous diagnosis of generalized pustular psoriasis, which had been in remission for 18 months,…”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.
6 sources cited

89743. Kim HG, Cho JH, Yoo SR, Lee JS, Han JM, Lee NH, Ahn YC, Son CG. Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS One 2013;8(4):e61271. PubMed

89760. Rhee MY, Kim YS, Bae JH, Nah DY, Kim YK, Lee MM, Kim HY. Effect of Korean red ginseng on arterial stiffness in subjects with hypertension. J Altern Complement Med 2011;17(1):45-9.

104953. Bessell E, Fuller NR, Markovic TP, et al. Effects of a-cyclodextrin on cholesterol control and hydrolyzed ginseng extract on glycemic control in people with prediabetes: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2023491.

114984. Cho SK, Song YJ, Han JY, Kim HW, Nam E, Sung YK. Effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng on fatigue in patients with rheumatic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Korean J Intern Med 2024;39(4):680-690. PubMed

114985. Arabi SM, Shahraki-Jazinaki M, Nayyerabadi M, et al. The Effect of Ginseng Supplementation on Lipid Profile: GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des 2024;30(26):2047-205. PubMed

3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“Panax ginseng may cause hypertension, hypotension, and edema when used orally in high doses, long-term. However, single doses of Panax ginseng up to 800 mg are not associated with changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters or increases in heart rate or blood pressure.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypertension.
4 sources cited

3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI

96218. Shah SA, Occiano A, Nguyen TA, et al. Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks and panax ginseng in healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Sep 1;218:318-23. PubMed

13030. Kabalak AA, Soyal OB, Urfalioglu A, et al. Menometrorrhagia and tachyarrhythmia after using oral and topical ginseng. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2004;13:830-3. PubMed

89402. Martínez-Mir I, Rubio E, Morales-Olivas FJ, Palop-Larrea V. Transient ischemic attack secondary to hypertensive crisis related to Panax ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2004;38(11):1970.
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
A severe allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“A case of anaphylaxis, with symptoms of hypotension and rash, has been reported following ingestion of a small amount of Panax ginseng syrup.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypotension.
1 source cited

11971. Wiwanikit V, Taungjarwinai W. A case report of suspected ginseng allergy. Medscape General Medicine 6 (3), 2004. Available at: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/482833 (Accessed 17 September 2004).
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Liver problems Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“It is unclear if Panax ginseng is associated with adverse hepatic effects. Cholestatic hepatitis has been reported in a 65-year old male following oral use of a combination product containing Panax ginseng and other ingredients (Prostata). However, it is unclear if this adverse effect was due to Panax ginseng, other ingredients, or the combination.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hepatitis.
2 sources cited

598. Hamid S, Rojter S, Vierling J. Protracted cholestatic hepatitis after the use of Prostata. Ann Intern Med 1997;127:169-70.

114985. Arabi SM, Shahraki-Jazinaki M, Nayyerabadi M, et al. The Effect of Ginseng Supplementation on Lipid Profile: GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des 2024;30(26):2047-205. PubMed
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail
Panax Ginseng
“Amenorrhea has been reported with oral use of Panax ginseng.

Topically, when a specific multi-ingredient cream preparation (SS Cream) has been applied to the glans penis, sporadic erectile dysfunction and excessively delayed ejaculation have occurred. Less commonly, patients can experience vaginal bleeding.”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in amenorrhea.
6 sources cited

3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI

2537. Choi HK, Jung GW, Moon KH, et al. Clinical study of SS-Cream in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Urology 2000;55:257-61. PubMed

591. Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed

592. Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.

3354. Palop-Larrea V, Gonzalvez-Perales JL, Catalan-Oliver C, et al. Metrorrhagia and ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:1347-8. PubMed

23630. Oh, K. J., Chae, M. J., Lee, H. S., Hong, H. D., and Park, K. Effects of Korean red ginseng on sexual arousal in menopausal women: placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical study. J Sex Med 2010;7(4 Pt 1):1469-1477. PubMed
“The estrogenic effects of ginseng are controversial. Some clinical evidence suggests it doesn't have estrogen-mediated effects. However, case reports of ginseng side effects such as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding suggest estrogenic activity.

In a 12-year-old Korean-Japanese male, enlargement of both breasts with tenderness in the right breast (gynecomastia) occurred after taking red ginseng extract 500 mg daily oral…”

Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.
6 sources cited

10981. Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, et al. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999;19:89-99..

590. Palmer BV, Montgomery AC, Monteiro JC, et al. Gin Seng and mastalgia [letter]. BMJ 1978;1:1284. PubMed

591. Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed

592. Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.

10982. Hammond TG, Whitworth JA. Adverse reactions to ginseng [letter]. Med J Aust 1981;1:492.. PubMed

10983. Punnonen R, Lukola A. Oestrogen-like effect of ginseng. Br Med J 1980;281:1110.. PubMed
Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Changes to your period Additional detail

Panax Ginseng

Recorded for Panax Ginseng in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bleeding or bruising above.

Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Breast tenderness Additional detail

Panax Ginseng

Recorded for Panax Ginseng in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bleeding or bruising above.

Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Migraine Additional detail

Panax Ginseng

Recorded for Panax Ginseng in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Mania or an unusually elevated mood above.

Sodium valproate

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Sodium valproate. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Showing the 10 most notable of 25 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Panax Ginseng but not commonly for Sodium valproate: a stroke or mini-stroke and erection problems.

Effects for Sodium valproate come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Panax Ginseng come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Panax Ginseng in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Ginsenoside Rb1, an active constituent of Panax ginseng, has teratogenic effects in animal models; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Sodium valproate Products Have a Food Rule — Panax Ginseng Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Sodium valproate says to take it with food. If you take Panax Ginseng on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Sodium valproate with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Sodium valproate products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

irritation may benefit from administration of the drug with food or by slowly building up the dose from an initial low level.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Sodium valproate — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Sodium valproate

This page covers Panax Ginseng 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 Panax Ginseng as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 517 real supplement products containing Panax Ginseng, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Panax Ginseng. Even though Panax Ginseng itself has no known interaction with Sodium valproate, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Panax Ginseng 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 Panax Ginseng

Top 25%

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

29 days ago today

Medication Sodium valproate

Steady interest

#1,734 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.

Where does our data come from?

Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Panax Ginseng reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.

Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Panax Ginseng

What is Panax Ginseng?

Boosting energy and fighting fatigue
Improving mental focus and memory
Coping with stress (adaptogen)
Erectile dysfunction
Supporting immune health
Blood sugar support

Panax ginseng is a popular traditional herb used to boost energy, ease stress, and support overall wellness, though scientific evidence is mixed and mostly preliminary. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but it can cause side effects like trouble sleeping and may not be safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Panax ginseng · Araliaceae · Root · Capsules, tablets, dried root, powder, tea, liquid extracts, energy drinks

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Panax Ginseng is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Panax Ginseng record says about it on its own.

Panax Ginseng: dosing

There is no single official or standardized dose for Panax ginseng. The right amount depends on the product, the form (such as dried root, extract, or red ginseng), and how it is standardized for ginsenosides.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not take more than recommended.

From our Panax Ginseng monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Panax Ginseng monograph & all interactions

Keep checking

Other Drugs & Panax Ginseng

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

0Major

1,130Moderate

0Minor

1,699No known interaction

1,130 Moderate 1,699 No interaction

Moderate

1,130 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,130 moderate interactions — see all 1,130 on the Panax Ginseng page.

No interaction 1,699 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,699 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Panax Ginseng list.

See the full Panax Ginseng interactions page

See every supplement checked against Sodium valproate, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Panax Ginseng References

The 66 references that drive our Panax Ginseng monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:65-72.
Palmer BV, Montgomery AC, Monteiro JC, et al. Gin Seng and mastalgia [letter]. BMJ 1978;1:1284. PubMed
Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed
Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.
Gonzalez-Seijo JC, Ramos YM, Lastra I. Manic episode and ginseng: Report of a possible case. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;15:447-8.
Dega H, Laporte JL, Frances C, et al. Ginseng as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Lancet 1996;347:1344.
Hamid S, Rojter S, Vierling J. Protracted cholestatic hepatitis after the use of Prostata. Ann Intern Med 1997;127:169-70.
Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
Becker BN. Ginseng-induced diuretic resistance. JAMA 1996;276:606-7. PubMed
Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA. Clinical assessment of potential cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interactions. AAPS Ann Mtg & Expo Indianapolis, IN: 2000; Oct 29 - Nov 2:presentation #3460.
Park HJ, Lee JH, Song YB, Park KH. Effects of dietary supplementation of lipophilic fraction from Panax ginseng on cGMP and cAMP in rat platelets and on blood coagulation. Biol Pharm Bull 1996;19:1434-9. PubMed
Zhu M, Chan KW, Ng LS, et al. Possible influences of ginseng on the pharmacodynamics of warfarin in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999;51:175-80.
Choi HK, Jung GW, Moon KH, et al. Clinical study of SS-Cream in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Urology 2000;55:257-61. PubMed
Shin HR, Kim JY, Yun TK, et al. The cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng: a review of human and experimental evidence. Cancer Causes Control 2000;11:565-76. PubMed
Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI
Palop-Larrea V, Gonzalvez-Perales JL, Catalan-Oliver C, et al. Metrorrhagia and ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:1347-8. PubMed
Caron MF, Hotsko AL, Robertson S, et al. Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of Panax ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:758-63..
Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.
Chan LY, Chiu PY, Lau TK. An in-vitro study of ginsenoside Rb(1)-induced teratogenicity using a whole rat embryo culture model. Hum Reprod 2003;18:2166-8..
Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. Cytochrome P450 phenotypic ratios for predicting herb-drug interactions in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;72:276-87.. PubMed
Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, et al. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999;19:89-99..
Hammond TG, Whitworth JA. Adverse reactions to ginseng [letter]. Med J Aust 1981;1:492.. PubMed
Punnonen R, Lukola A. Oestrogen-like effect of ginseng. Br Med J 1980;281:1110.. PubMed
Lee YJ, Jin YR, Lim WC, et al. Ginsenoside-Rb1 acts as a weak phytoestrogen in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Arch Pharm Res 2003;26:58-63.. PubMed
Xu QF, Fang XL, Chen DF. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 from Panax notoginseng in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;84:187-92. PubMed
Jiang X, Williams KM, Liauw WS, et al. Effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2004;57:592-9. PubMed
Yun YP, Do JH, Ko SR, et al. Effects of Korean red ginseng and its mixed prescription on the high molecular weight dextran-induced blood stasis in rats and human platelet aggregation. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;77:259-64. PubMed
Wiwanikit V, Taungjarwinai W. A case report of suspected ginseng allergy. Medscape General Medicine 6 (3), 2004. Available at: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/482833 (Accessed 17 September 2004).
Kabalak AA, Soyal OB, Urfalioglu A, et al. Menometrorrhagia and tachyarrhythmia after using oral and topical ginseng. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2004;13:830-3. PubMed
Jiang X, Blair EY, McLachlan AJ. Investigation of the effects of herbal medicines on warfarin response in healthy subjects: a population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling approach. J Clin Pharmacol 2006;46:1370-8. PubMed
Lee SH, Ahn YM, Ahn SY, et al. Interaction between warfarin and Panax ginseng in ischemic stroke patients. J Altern Complement Med 2008;14:715-721.
Smith M, Lin KM, and Zheng YP. PIII-89 an open trial of nifedipine-herb interactions: Nifedipine with St. John's wort, ginseng or ginkgo biloba. Clin Pharm Ther 2001;69:P86.
Mateo-Carrasco, H., Galvez-Contreras, M. C., Fernandez-Gines, F. D., and Nguyen, T. V. Elevated liver enzymes resulting from an interaction between Raltegravir and Panax ginseng: a case report and brief review. Drug Metabol.Drug Interact. 2012;27(3):171-1
Oh, K. J., Chae, M. J., Lee, H. S., Hong, H. D., and Park, K. Effects of Korean red ginseng on sexual arousal in menopausal women: placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical study. J Sex Med 2010;7(4 Pt 1):1469-1477. PubMed
Kim, T. H., Jeon, S. H., Hahn, E. J., Paek, K. Y., Park, J. K., Youn, N. Y., and Lee, H. L. Effects of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) extract on male patients with erectile dysfunction. Asian J Androl 2009;11(3):356-361. PubMed
Hu, Z., Yang, X., Ho, P. C., Chan, S. Y., Heng, P. W., Chan, E., Duan, W., Koh, H. L., and Zhou, S. Herb-drug interactions: a literature review. Drugs 2005;65(9):1239-1282. PubMed
Zhang, R., Jie, J., Zhou, Y., Cao, Z., and Li, W. Long-term effects of Panax ginseng on disposition of fexofenadine in rats in vivo. Am J Chin Med 2009;37(4):657-667.
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Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Related: nutrient depletion

Sodium valproate Is Linked to Lower Levels of 9 Nutrients

Natural Medicines records Sodium valproate as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Panax Ginseng — 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 Sodium valproate 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.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Panax Ginseng with Sodium valproate?

We do not list a known interaction between Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.

Do Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate have any of the same side effects?

Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.

Should I take Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate at the same time of day?

At least one FDA label for a product containing Sodium valproate says to take it with food. If you take Panax Ginseng on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Sodium valproate with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Sodium valproate products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.

How was the Panax Ginseng and Sodium valproate combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Sodium valproate is filed under 8 classifications, and Panax Ginseng has documented interactions with 20 drug classes — none of Sodium valproate's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.

Does Panax Ginseng interact with any other medications?

Yes. Panax Ginseng has 1,130 documented drug interactions in our database — Sodium valproate is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Does Sodium valproate interact with any supplements?

Yes. Sodium valproate has documented interactions with 173 supplements in our database — Panax Ginseng is not one of them. The Sodium valproate interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

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Still Have a Question About Sodium valproate and Panax Ginseng?

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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.

case report: A written account of what happened to one patient, useful as a signal but not proof of cause.

Absorption: How a medicine moves from where it is taken, such as the stomach or gut, into the bloodstream.

amenorrhea: The absence of monthly menstrual periods.

anaphylaxis: A sudden, severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can cause trouble breathing, swelling, and a drop in blood pressure, needing emergency care.

Drug Interactions: The label section listing other medicines, foods, or substances that can change how a medicine works or raise the chance of side effects.

dyskinesia: Involuntary, uncontrolled movements of the face, arms, legs, or body.

edema: Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.

electrocardiogram: A quick, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity to check its rhythm and rate.

erectile dysfunction: Trouble getting or keeping an erection.

euphoria: An intense feeling of happiness or well-being that is stronger than a normal good mood.

gynecomastia: Swelling or enlargement of breast tissue in males.

hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by infections, alcohol, or certain medicines.

hypertension: Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, commonly called high blood pressure.

hypotension: Blood pressure that is lower than normal, which can cause dizziness or fainting.

insomnia: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep.

mania: A period of unusually high energy, racing thoughts, and an excited or irritable mood that is more extreme than normal.

pruritus: Itching of the skin.

remission: A period when the signs and symptoms of cancer are reduced or have disappeared.

somnolence: Feeling very sleepy or drowsy, with trouble staying awake during the day.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A rare, serious reaction causing painful blistering and peeling of the skin and the moist linings of the mouth, eyes, and other areas.

vertigo: A spinning sensation that makes you feel like you or the room around you is moving.