Schisandra + Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide brand name: Limbitrol DS.
Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls into 3 drug categories that Schisandra can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, schisandra might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportSchisandra and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Schisandra interacts with whole categories of medication. Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Schisandra in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Schisandra interacts with.
In vitro research shows that schisandra inhibits CYP2C19, and animal research shows that schisandra increases the concentration of voriconazole, a CYP2C19 substrate. Theoretically, schisandra may also inhibit the metabolism of other CYP2C19 substrates. This effect has not been reported in humans.
Interaction 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..
Limbitrol DS combines two active medicines: amitriptyline (an older antidepressant) and chlordiazepoxide (a benzodiazepine for anxiety). Both rely partly on a liver enzyme called CYP2C19 to be broken down. Lab and animal studies suggest schisandra can slow this enzyme down, which in theory could let these drugs build up a bit higher in your body.
If that happened, you might feel more of their usual effects, things like extra drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, or feeling foggy and unsteady. Here's the honest part: this hasn't actually been shown in people, only in test tubes and animals, so it's a theoretical concern. Still, because both of these medicines are sedating, I'd play it safe and check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- Yuan F, Liang X, Chen X, Qin X, Tan C, Wang L. CYP2C19 is involved in the effect of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) and its constituents on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous voriconazole. Pharmazie. 2020;75(11):559-564. DOI
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro and animal research suggests that schisandra induces CYP2C9 enzymes. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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.
Limbitrol DS combines amitriptyline (an older antidepressant) with chlordiazepoxide (a calming benzodiazepine). Neither one is a prodrug, so they both work in the form you swallow. The concern on file is that schisandra might speed up a liver enzyme called CYP2C9, which could in theory clear these medicines a bit faster and make them work less well.
If that happened, you might notice your depression or anxiety symptoms creeping back, or less of the usual sedation. But I want to be straight with you: this is based only on lab and animal studies, and it has not been shown in real people. Most folks won't notice anything. Still, since this is a sensitive combo, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding schisandra.
- Mu Y, Zhang J, Zhang S, et al. Traditional Chinese medicines Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis Baill) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) activate pregnane X receptor and increase warfarin clearance in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2006;316:1369-77. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 3Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
Most clinical and laboratory research shows that schisandra, administered either as a single dose or up to twice daily for 14 days, inhibits CYP3A4 and increases the concentration of CYP3A4 substrates such as cyclophosphamide, midazolam, tacrolimus, and talinolol. Although one in vitro and animal study shows that schisandra may induce CYP3A4 metabolism, this effect appears to be overpowered by schisandra's CYP3A4 inhibitory activity and has not been reported in humans.
Interaction 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..
Limbitrol DS combines two active medicines: amitriptyline (an older antidepressant) and chlordiazepoxide (a benzodiazepine in the same family as Librium). Both are at least partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Schisandra appears to slow this enzyme down, so these drugs may clear out of your body more slowly and build up to higher levels than expected.
In real life, that could mean more of the usual effects: heavier drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, or feeling foggy and unsteady. Neither of these is a prodrug, so there is no flip here. Keep in mind most of this evidence comes from lab and animal work, not people taking this exact combo. Still, before adding schisandra, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
- Iwata H, Tezuka Y, Kadota S, et al. Identification and characterization of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors in Schisandra fruit extract. Drug Metab Dispos 2004;32:1351-8. PubMed
- Mu Y, Zhang J, Zhang S, et al. Traditional Chinese medicines Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis Baill) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) activate pregnane X receptor and increase warfarin clearance in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2006;316:1369-77. PubMed
- Qin XL, Bi HC, Wang XD, et al. Mechanistic understanding of the different effects of Wuhzi Tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) on the absorption and first-pass intestinal and hepatic metabolism of tacrolimus (FK506). Int J Pharm 2010;389:114-21.
- Makino, T., Mizuno, F., and Mizukami, H. Does a kampo medicine containing schisandra fruit affect pharmacokinetics of nifedipine like grapefruit juice? Biol.Pharm.Bull. 2006;29(10):2065-2069. PubMed
- Fan L, Mao XQ, Tao GY, Wang G, Jiang F, Chen Y, Li Q, Zhang W, Lei HP, Hu DL, Huang YF, Wang D, Zhou HH. Effect of Schisandra chinensis extract and Ginkgo biloba extract on the pharmacokinetics of talinolol in healthy volunteers. Xenobiotica. 2009 Mar;39(
- Jiang W, Wang X, Xu X, Kong L. Effect of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the concentration of tacrolimus in the blood of liver transplant patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Mar;48(3):224-9. PubMed
- Xin HW, Wu XC, Li Q, Yu AR, Xiong L. Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2009 May;67(5):541-6.
- Li J, Chen S, Qin X, et at. Wuzhi Tablet (<i>Schisandra sphenanthera</i> Extract) is a Promising Tacrolimus-Sparing Agent for Renal Transplant Recipients Who are CYP3A5 Expressers: a Two-Phase Prospective Study. Drug Metab Dispos. 2017;45(11):1114-1119.
- Qin XL, Li JL, Wang SH, Chen X, Huang M, Bi HC. Co-administration of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) alters tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in a dose- and time-dependent manner in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;263:113233. PubMed
- Chen L, Ji N, Zhang M, Chen W. The influence of Wuzhi capsule on the pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2021. PubMed
- Cheng F, Li Q, Wang J, Zeng F, Zhang Y. Effects and safety evaluation of Wuzhi capsules combined with tacrolimus for the treatment of kidney transplantation recipients. J Clin Pharm Ther 2021;46(6):1636-49. PubMed
- Teng F, Wang W, Zhang W, et al. Effect of hepar-protecting Wuzhi capsule on pharmacokinetics and dose-effect character of tacrolimus in healthy volunteers. Biopharm Drug Dispos 2022.
- Kou K, Sun X, Li M, et al. Beneficial effects of Wuzhi capsule on tacrolimus blood concentrations in liver transplant patients with different donor-recipient CYP3A5 genotypes. J Clin Pharm Ther 2022;47(2):200-10. PubMed
- Peng Y, Jiang F, Zhou R, et al. Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of co-administration of Wuzhi capsule and tacrolimus in adult Chinese patients with myasthenia gravis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021;17:2281-9. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Schisandra Also Interacts With Other Medications
Schisandra has 802 moderate 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.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Schisandra
We haven’t checked that one against Schisandra yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Schisandra. Pick one to open its full report.
Questions About Schisandra or Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Schisandra or Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide
This page covers Schisandra 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
Taking Schisandra as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 2,577 real supplement products containing Schisandra, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Schisandra. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide too, on top of Schisandra — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Schisandra 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.
#103 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,755 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
About Schisandra
What is Schisandra?
- Fatigue and low energy
- Stress and adaptogen support
- Liver health
- Mental focus and performance
- Menopause symptoms
- Respiratory complaints
Schisandra is a traditional Chinese medicine berry used as an adaptogen for stress, fatigue, and liver support. Human evidence is limited and most claims are not well proven, but it appears reasonably well tolerated by most healthy adults when used short term. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid it, and anyone with a health condition should check with a pharmacist or doctor first.
Other Drugs & Schisandra
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Schisandra — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
802 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Tetracycline ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Ranitidine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Apomorphine ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Meloxicam ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
Showing 60 of 802 moderate interactions — see all 802 on the Schisandra page.
No interaction 2,027 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Schisandra against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Aspirin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Bupropion ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Acetaminophen, Codeine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Acetaminophen, Oxycodone ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Acetaminophen, Aspirin ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Venlafaxine ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,027 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Schisandra list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide Is Linked to Lower Levels of 3 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Schisandra — 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 Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide 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.
Taking Schisandra and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide Together: Common Questions
Can you take Schisandra with Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Schisandra and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide?
How serious is the Schisandra and Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide and Schisandra?
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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.