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Dietary supplement

Calm-Z with Zembrin Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Doctor's Best

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Calm-Z with Zembrin is a dietary supplement by Doctor's Best with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, low mood, mental focus and cognition.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Zembrin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Calm-Z with Zembrin has one active ingredient: Zembrin, which is a branded form of sceletium, a plant traditionally used for mood and stress support. The capsule also contains microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate — standard inactive ingredients that help form and stabilize the capsule.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: calm, relieve stress, tension, and anxiety.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Stress, Tension, Mental calm.
  • The closest evidence on file: Sceletium is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Sceletium is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Stress.

The evidence for sceletium in this product is still being built. According to the data we hold, there's insufficient reliable evidence to rate how well it works for anxiety, depression, stress, alcohol use disorder, athletic performance, or weight management.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means large, well-designed studies haven't been completed yet. Talk with your pharmacist if you're considering it for a specific health goal.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sceletium

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Sceletium appears to be generally well tolerated in the small studies done so far, but long-term safety hasn't been firmly established. The most common side effects reported with oral use include anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, and nausea.

There are also anecdotal reports of headache, depression, listlessness, and in high doses, euphoric effects. One study noted a rise in blood pressure in some users.

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety information, so it's best to avoid this product. The same goes for breastfeeding — safety data are lacking, so don't use it while nursing.

If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering Calm-Z with Zembrin.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sceletium

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sceletium.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 248 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Calm-Z with Zembrin, double-check any CNS depressants you're on — that includes sleep aids, anti-anxiety drugs, opioid pain relievers, antihistamines that cause drowsiness, and muscle relaxants. Adding sceletium could boost drowsiness or sedation.

Run your exact medications through the checker on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Calm-Z with Zembrin might interest you if you're exploring natural options for stress or mood, but the evidence for its effectiveness is still developing. Because it can add to the sedative effects of CNS depressants, check your current medications with a pharmacist before you start.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip this one and talk to your doctor about safer alternatives.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 24, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Calm-Z with Zembrin, straight from the product label.

Brand Doctor's Best
Barcode (UPC) 753950004566
Net contents 60 Veggie Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 302645
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
753950004566
IngredientAmount% DV
Zembrin25 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Doctor's Best Calm-Z with Zembrin helps calm and relieve stress, tension, and occasional anxiety. It helps increase attention, focus, motivation, and concentration. It has been clinically shown to enhance cognitive function and is cultivated in an environmentally sustainable process. Helps enhance executive function Helps enhance processing speed

Helps Calm and Relieve Stress and Tension

Vegan

Non-GMO Gluten Free Soy Free

This product contains natural ingredients that may vary in color.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Zembrin is a trademark of HG&H Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited. U.S. Patents #6,288,104, #8,552,051 and #8,980,338 B2

Doctor's Best Science-Based Nutrition

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Calm-Z with Zembrin 25 mg

Zembrin is a patented standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum (Kanna); its use has been documented for more than 300 years.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Adult Use: Take 1 capsule daily with or without food, or as recommended by a nutritionally informed physician. Daily oral dose not to exceed 25 mg.

Precautions

Warning: Consult your physician before using this product if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are taking anti-depressant or anxiety medication.

Daily oral dose not to exceed 25 mg. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

See for yourself

Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Zembrin

Interacts with
248 drugs
25 mg per serving Form: Sceletium tortuosum aerial parts extract

Sceletium (often sold as 'kanna') is a South African plant traditionally used to ease stress and lift mood. Early human studies are small and short, s...

Zembrin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Calm-Z with Zembrin?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Zembrin 248

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Calm-Z with Zembrin with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Zembrin1 drug type · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of sceletium and CNS depressants might result in additive sedative effects.
Some evidence suggests that sceletium has sedative properties.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Calm-Z with Zembrin, from the product label.

Doctor's Best

See all Doctor's Best products
Name
Doctor's Best, Inc.
State
California
Phone Number
(800) 777-2474
Web Address
www.drbvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best: Common Questions

Does Calm-Z with Zembrin by Doctor's Best interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Calm-Z with Zembrin has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Calm-Z with Zembrin contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is Zembrin, and what's it supposed to do?
Zembrin is a branded extract of sceletium, a plant traditionally used to support mood and stress. The evidence for how well it actually works for anxiety, depression, stress, or other conditions is still insufficient — meaning large studies haven't been done yet.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information during pregnancy, so it's best avoided. The same goes for breastfeeding — safety data are lacking. Talk with your doctor if you're in either situation and looking for alternatives.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common ones reported are anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, and nausea. There are also anecdotal reports of depression, listlessness, and in high doses, euphoric effects. One study noted a rise in blood pressure. A thorough safety evaluation hasn't been completed, so other effects may exist.
Can I take this with my sleep medication or anxiety medication?
Not without checking first. Sceletium has sedative properties and can add to the drowsiness from CNS depressants like sleep aids and anti-anxiety drugs. Check your exact medications with a pharmacist before starting Calm-Z with Zembrin.
How long has Calm-Z with Zembrin been studied for safety?
Sceletium appears generally well tolerated in small studies, but long-term safety is not well established. We don't have much data on how it holds up with months or years of regular use.

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

Not sure if Calm-Z with Zembrin is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Calm-Z with Zembrin label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Calm-Z with Zembrin’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Calm-Z with Zembrin's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 3 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Sceletium 3 references
  1. Smith MT, Crouch NR, Gericke N, Hirst M. Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;50:119-30. PubMed
  2. Meyer GMJ, Wink CSD, Zapp J, Maurer HH. GC-MS, LC-MS(n), LC-high resolution-MS(n), and NMR studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of mesembrine and mesembrenone, the main alkaloids of the legal high "Kanna" isolated from Sceletium tortuosum
  3. Gericke J, Lekhooa M, Steyn SF, Viljoen AM, Harvey BH. An acute dose-ranging evaluation of the antidepressant properties of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) versus escitalopram in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022 Feb 10;284:114550. do PubMed

See these in context on the Sceletium monograph →

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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