Drug & supplement interaction

Valerian + Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

Metoclopramide Hydrochloride brand name: Gimoti.

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

Metoclopramide Hydrochloride falls into 2 drug categories that Valerian can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Valerian can have additive sedative effects when used concomitantly with CNS depressant drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Valerian and Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Valerian interacts with whole categories of medication. Metoclopramide Hydrochloride falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Valerian in 2 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 2

Why this applies to Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

Metoclopramide Hydrochloride falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Valerian interacts with.

Valerian can have additive sedative effects when used concomitantly with CNS depressant drugs.
Theoretically, concomitant use of valerian and drugs with sedative and anesthetic properties may cause additive therapeutic and adverse effects.
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: both valerian and metoclopramide can have a calming, drowsy effect on the brain. Metoclopramide on its own can make some people feel sleepy, tired, or a little foggy. Valerian is used to relax the nervous system and help with sleep, so pairing the two could add up and leave you feeling more drowsy or sluggish than you'd expect from either one alone.

I want to be honest about the evidence here. This concern comes from lab and animal research, not strong human studies, so it's really more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Still, if you notice extra sleepiness, slowed reactions, or trouble concentrating, take it easy with driving and check in with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Houghton PJ. The scientific basis for the reputed activity of Valerian. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999;51:505-12. PubMed
  2. Yuan CS, Mehendale S, Xiao Y, et al. The gamma-aminobutyric acidergic effects of valerian and valerenic acid on rat brainstem neuronal activity. Anesth Analg 2004;98:353-8. PubMed
  3. Carrasco MC, Vallejo JR, Pardo-de-Santayana M, et al. Interactions of Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. in a patient treated with lorazepam. Phytother Res. 2009 Dec;23:1795-6.
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Metoclopramide Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Valerian does not seem to have a clinically relevant effect on levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Although some in vitro evidence suggests that valerian affects CYP2D6, clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) studies show that valerian is unlikely to affect the CYP2D6 enzyme. In one PK study, taking valerian 1000 mg (providing about 11 mg valerenic acid) nightly for 14 days did not affect the metabolism of dextromethorphan, a CYP2D6 substrate. In another PK study, taking valerian 125 mg three times daily for 28 days did not affect metabolism of debrisoquine, an accepted CYP2D6 probe-substrate.
Severity Minor Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the good news on combining valerian with metoclopramide (Gimoti): the worry on paper is that both touch the same liver enzyme, CYP2D6, which helps clear metoclopramide. In theory, blocking that enzyme could let the drug build up and raise the odds of side effects like drowsiness, restlessness, or muscle twitches. But the actual human studies don't bear this out. When researchers gave people valerian and tracked CYP2D6 activity, it simply didn't slow the enzyme in any meaningful way.

So this is a minor, unlikely interaction. One thing I'd still mention: both valerian and metoclopramide can make you sleepy, so together you may feel a bit groggier. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding valerian, and go easy until you know how the pair affects you.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Donovan JL, DeVane CL, Chavin KD, et al. Multiple night-time doses of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) had minimal effects on CYP3A4 activity and no effect on CYP2D6 activity in healthy volunteers. Drug Metab Dispos 2004;32:1333-6. PubMed
  2. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. In vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 phenotypes. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005;77:415-26. PubMed
  3. Hellum BH, Nilsen OG. The in vitro inhibitory potential of trade herbal products on human CYP2D6-mediated metabolism and the influence of ethanol. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007 Nov;101:350-8.
  4. Hellum BH, Hu Z, Nilsen OG. The induction of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 by six trade herbal products in cultured primary human hepatocytes. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007 Jan;100:23-30. 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

Valerian Also Interacts With Other Medications

Valerian has 337 moderate, 564 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Metoclopramide Hydrochloride one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 337 Minor 564 No known interaction 1,929 (incl. Metoclopramide Hydrochloride)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Valerian

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Valerian or Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Valerian or Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, 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.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

This page covers Valerian only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metoclopramide Hydrochloride page lists 135 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Beer (major), Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) (major), Kava (major) and L-tryptophan (major).

By severity: 7 major · 114 moderate · 14 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metoclopramide Hydrochloride page

“Metoclopramide (Gimoti, also sold as Reglan) calms nausea and speeds a slow stomach by acting on the brain, and that is exactly where most of these 135 supplements and herbs collide with it. This is a list to treat with genuine care.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metoclopramide Hydrochloride interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2,185 real supplement products containing Valerian, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Valerian. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Metoclopramide Hydrochloride too, on top of Valerian — 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 Valerian and Metoclopramide Hydrochloride 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 Valerian
Top 10%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Metoclopramide Hydrochloride
Top half

#880 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 Valerian

What is Valerian?

Valerian
  • Insomnia and poor sleep
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle tension or cramps
  • Menstrual discomfort

Valerian is an herb whose root is widely used as a natural sleep aid and for calming nerves. The evidence is mixed and often weak, so it may help some people sleep but does not work reliably for everyone. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting it.

Read the full Valerian monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Metoclopramide Nasal Spray

What Is Metoclopramide Nasal Spray Used For?

Brand name: Gimoti

Gimoti (metoclopramide nasal spray) is approved for adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis — a condition where diabetes damages the nerves controlling stomach emptying, causing nausea, vomiting, and bloating. It works to relieve those symptoms by helping the stomach empty more normally.

Gimoti is not recommended for children, or for adults with moderate to severe kidney or liver disease. It is also not recommended for adults taking strong CYP2D6 inhibitor medications (certain antidepressants and other drugs that slow how the body breaks down metoclopramide).

See full Metoclopramide Nasal Spray drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Valerian

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

0Major
337Moderate
564Minor
1,928No known interaction
337 Moderate 564 Minor 1,928 No interaction
Moderate

337 interactions

Showing 60 of 337 moderate interactions — see all 337 on the Valerian page.

Minor

564 interactions

Showing 60 of 564 minor interactions — see all 564 on the Valerian page.

No interaction 1,928 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,928 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Valerian list.

See the full Valerian interactions page
See every supplement checked against Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, 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
Valerian monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Metoclopramide Hydrochloride supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, ranked by severity Metoclopramide Nasal Spray 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 Valerian and Metoclopramide Hydrochloride Together: Common Questions

Can you take Valerian with Metoclopramide Hydrochloride?
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 2 interactions listed for Valerian and Metoclopramide Hydrochloride?
Metoclopramide Hydrochloride belongs to more than one drug category, and Valerian 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 Valerian and Metoclopramide Hydrochloride 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 Metoclopramide Hydrochloride and Valerian?

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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.