Drug & supplement interaction

Sage + Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide brand name: Librax.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide falls into 3 drug categories that Sage can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking sage might increase the sedative and adverse effects of CNS depressants.

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

Sage and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Sage interacts with whole categories of medication. Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Sage 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 Sage interacts with.

Theoretically, taking sage might increase the sedative and adverse effects of CNS depressants.
Some constituents of sage have CNS depressant activity.
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. Your Librax contains chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine that already calms the nervous system and can make you sleepy. Some natural compounds in sage may also have a mild calming, sedative-type effect. So the worry is that piling sage on top of your medicine could add up, leaving you more drowsy, foggy, dizzy, or unsteady than usual. The clidinium part can also cause dry mouth and constipation, which won't be helped by feeling extra sluggish.

I want to be honest about how solid this is: it's a theoretical concern based on lab studies, not strong human evidence. A little sage in cooking is very unlikely to matter. Concentrated sage capsules or the essential oil are where I'd be cautious. Before adding a sage supplement, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Perry NS, Bollen C, Perry EK, Ballard C. Salvia for dementia therapy: review of pharmacological activity and pilot tolerability clinical trial. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;75:651-9.. PubMed
Moderate

BENZODIAZEPINES

2 of 3

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide also falls under BENZODIAZEPINES.

Theoretically, taking sage might increase the sedative and adverse effects of benzodiazepines.
In vitro evidence suggests that certain components of common sage (Salvia officinalis) can bind to benzodiazepine receptors. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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 sage. The chlordiazepoxide part is a benzodiazepine, and lab studies suggest some compounds in sage can latch onto the same brain receptors that benzodiazepines work on. In theory, that could add to the calming effect and leave you more drowsy, foggy, dizzy, or unsteady on your feet than usual.

I want to be straight with you though: this is only seen in test-tube studies, not in actual people, so it's more of a 'keep an eye on it' than a real red flag. Food amounts of sage in cooking are very unlikely to matter. Concentrated sage extracts, capsules, or the essential oil are where I'd be more careful. If you want to use a sage supplement, run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Kavvadias, D., Monschein, V., Sand, P., Riederer, P., and Schreier, P. Constituents of sage (Salvia officinalis) with in vitro affinity to human brain benzodiazepine receptor. Planta Med. 2003;69(2):113-117.
Moderate

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

3 of 3

Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide also falls under ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS.

Theoretically, sage might decrease the clinical effects of anticholinergic drugs.
In vitro evidence suggests that common sage (Salvia officinalis) and Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) 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 idea behind this one. The clidinium part of Librax is an anticholinergic, meaning it works by lowering the activity of a brain and gut chemical called acetylcholine, which is how it calms stomach spasms and cramping. Sage, in lab studies, seems to do the opposite by raising acetylcholine levels. So in theory, sage could nudge against clidinium and make it a little less effective, meaning your IBS or stomach symptoms might not be as well controlled.

I want to be honest with you though: this is based only on test-tube research, not on real people, so it's pretty theoretical. A sprinkle of sage in cooking is very unlikely to matter. Concentrated sage extracts or sage oil are a different story. Before adding any sage supplement, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Orhan, I., Kartal, M., Kan, Y., and Sener, B. Activity of essential oils and individual components against acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase. Z.Naturforsch.C. 2008;63(7-8):547-553.
  2. Perry, N. S., Houghton, P. J., Theobald, A., Jenner, P., and Perry, E. K. In-vitro inhibition of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase by salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil and constituent terpenes. J Pharm Pharmacol 2000;52(7):895-902.
  3. Savelev, S. U., Okello, E. J., and Perry, E. K. Butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitory activities in essential oils of Salvia species and their constituents. Phytother Res 2004;18(4):315-324.
  4. Kennedy, D. O., Pace, S., Haskell, C., Okello, E. J., Milne, A., and Scholey, A. B. Effects of cholinesterase inhibiting sage (Salvia officinalis) on mood, anxiety and performance on a psychological stressor battery. Neuropsychopharmacology 2006;31(4):84 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

Sage Also Interacts With Other Medications

Sage has 1,295 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.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Sage

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide

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

We hold 718 real supplement products containing Sage, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Sage. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide too, on top of Sage — 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 Sage 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 Sage
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide
Steady interest

#2,047 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 Sage

What is Sage?

Sage
  • Sore throat and mouth irritation
  • Digestive upset
  • Excessive sweating
  • Memory and thinking
  • Menopause symptoms (hot flashes)
  • General antioxidant support

Sage is a common kitchen herb that is generally safe in food amounts and is traditionally used for sore throats, digestion, sweating, and memory. Some early research is encouraging for sore throat and menopausal hot flashes, but most uses are not well proven. Concentrated extracts and the essential oil should be used carefully because high doses contain a compound called thujone, which can be harmful.

Read the full Sage 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 & Sage

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

0Major
1,295Moderate
0Minor
1,534No known interaction
Moderate

1,295 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,295 moderate interactions — see all 1,295 on the Sage page.

No interaction 1,534 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 Sage and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Sage 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 Sage and Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide?
Chlordiazepoxide, Clidinium Bromide belongs to more than one drug category, and Sage 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 Sage 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

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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.