Valerian - WelChol (Colesevelam) Interaction

Interaction Details

Pharmacist Analysis

While there is no known interaction between valerian and the drug in question here, it does have potential interactions with other drugs that are important to be aware of.

For example, valerian may enhance the effects of central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. This means that combining valerian with these drugs can lead to excessive sedation and other side effects, such as dizziness and impaired coordination.

Similarly, if you take a drug that causes you to feel tired (e.g., Benadryl), valerian may enhance that effect.

Valerian may also interact with certain medications metabolized by the liver, such as statins and some antidepressants, as it can affect the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. For example, valerian may affect drugs metabolized via the CYP3A4 enzyme.

This can result in increased levels of these medications in the bloodstream, leading to potential side effects and toxicity.

We have hundreds of interactions listed for valerian that you can find in this interaction tool, but as always, if you are taking any prescription medications, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider before using valerian or any other supplements to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you.

Colesevelam Overview

• Colesevelam is used in adults along with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in the blood alone or in combination with other cholesterol-lowering medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Colesevelam is also used alone or in combination with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in certain boys and in girls, ages 10 to 17, with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally) to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood. Colesevelam is also used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Colesevelam is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.

• Bile acids are made when cholesterol is broken down in your body. Removing these bile acids helps to lower your blood cholesterol. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Valerian - More Interactions

Valerian interacts with 878 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

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