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Dietary supplement

Passion Flower Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

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

Passion Flower is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, trouble sleeping, restlessness.Based on those ingredients, 836 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Passionflower. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: passionflower. The capsule itself is made from gelatin, and the formula also includes water, magnesium stearate (a flow agent), and silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent) as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: nervous system support and traditional calming.
  • We looked for evidence on: Stress, Insomnia, Pre-procedural anxiety, Adjustment disorders, Anxiety, Restlessness — and 1 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Passion Flower is rated "Possibly Effective" for Pre-procedural anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Passion Flower is rated "Possibly Effective" for Insomnia.
  • Also on file: Passion Flower is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Adjustment disorders, Stress.

Passionflower is rated possibly effective for insomnia and pre-procedural anxiety—meaning there's some evidence it may help, but the research isn't ironclad. For alcohol use disorder and benzodiazepine withdrawal, the evidence we have isn't reliable enough to rate whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Passion Flower

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.

Passionflower is generally well tolerated in the short term, but drowsiness is a real risk—so don't drive or operate machinery if it makes you fuzzy. The safety data advises against using it during pregnancy due to lack of safety information and possible effects on the uterus.

Similarly, there isn't enough safety data to recommend it while breastfeeding, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor for guidance if you're nursing. Common side effects include confusion, dizziness, and sedation.

Rare but serious cases have been reported, including severe nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat rhythms at very high doses, though these resolved once the supplement was stopped. Allergic reactions, including sinus irritation and skin reactions, have also been documented in clinical trials, though they were uncommon.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Passion Flower

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 — Passion Flower.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 837 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 this product, double-check any sedative or sleep medications you're on, including benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressants (Moderate severity). Also flag any drugs that rely on OATP transporters or CYP3A4 enzymes, though those risks are Minor.

Use our medication checker to look up your specific prescriptions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

Passion Flower may be worth considering if you struggle with insomnia or anxiety before a medical procedure, but you'll want to avoid it if you take sedatives or sleep aids—the combination can be too strong. Pregnant or breastfeeding?

Skip it and talk with your pharmacist. Anyone on other medications should check their exact drug list with our interaction tool first.

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 May 23, 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 Passion Flower, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904005006
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 23, 2024
DSLD ID 313130
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
099904005006
IngredientAmount% DV
Passionflower360 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Water, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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.
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.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more. We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Herbal experts since 1972

Seals/Symbols

Ko Kosher Service Pareve

Formula

Ko Kosher Service Pareve

Traditional calming herb

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Formulation

Nervous system support Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended use: Take 1 capsule with a meal twice daily.

See for yourself

Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Passionflower

Interacts with
836 drugs
360 mg per serving Form: Passionflora incarnata

Passion flower is a traditional calming herb that many people use for anxiety and sleep. Early studies hint it may help with mild anxiety and restless...

Passionflower monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Passion Flower?

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
836Drugs
248 Moderate 588 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Passion Flower 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.

Passionflower3 drug types · 836 drugs

Cns Depressants

Concomitant use of passion flower with sedative drugs might cause additive effects and side effects.
Research in animals and humans shows that passion flower has sedative effects which can be additive when used with sedative medications like lorazepam.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, passion flower might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that passion flower can induce CYP3A4 enzymes, albeit to a much lower degree than rifampin, a known CYP3A4 inducer.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, passion flower might reduce the bioavailability of OATP2B1 and OATP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the passion flower constituents apigenin and vitexin inhibit OATP2B1 and OATP1A2. This inhibition may be dose-dependent. One specific high-flavonoid passion flower extract (Valverde) seems to inhibit OATP2B1 and OATP1A2, while another extract with a lower flavonoid concentration (Arkocaps) shows less potent inhibition. OATPs are responsible for the uptake of drugs and other compounds into the body; however, the specific activities of OATP2B1 and OATP1A2 are not well characterized.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Passion Flower, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc
City
Spanish Fork
State
Utah
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Passion Flower by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Passion Flower has a known interaction with 836 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Passion Flower 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.
Will Passion Flower make me drowsy?
Yes, drowsiness is one of the most common side effects, especially at higher doses. You shouldn't drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. If you're already taking a sedative medication, the drowsiness can add up, so check with your pharmacist first.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against using Passion Flower during pregnancy because there isn't enough information and it may affect the uterus. There also isn't enough safety information to recommend it while breastfeeding. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about your options.
What is passionflower used for?
Passion Flower has possibly effective evidence for insomnia and anxiety before medical procedures. For other uses like alcohol withdrawal or stopping benzodiazepines, the evidence isn't strong enough yet to say whether it works.
Are there any serious side effects I should know about?
Most people tolerate it well short-term, but rare severe reactions have been reported at very high doses, including nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeats—all of which resolved when the supplement was stopped. Allergic reactions, though uncommon, have also occurred.
Does this product have any fillers?
Yes, the capsule includes gelatin, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and water as inactive ingredients to hold the passionflower and keep it stable.

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

Not sure if Passion Flower is safe with your meds?

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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.

Passion Flower label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Passion Flower'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 19 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.

Passion Flower 19 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Fisher AA, Purcell P, Le Couteur DG. Toxicity of Passiflora incarnata L. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2000;38:63-6.
  4. Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Shayeganpour A, et al. Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther 2001;26:363-7. PubMed
  5. Farnsworth N, Bingel A, Cordell G, et al. Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents I. J Pharm Sci 1975;64:535-98. DOI
  6. Mori A, Hasegawa K, Murasaki M, et al. Clinical evaluation of Passiflamin (passiflora extract) on neurosis - multicenter double blind study in comparison with mexazolam. Rinsho Hyoka (Clinical Evaluation) 1993;21:383-440.
  7. Miyasaka LS, Atallah AN, Soares BG. Passiflora for anxiety disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;(1):CD004518. DOI
  8. Speroni E., Minghetti A. Neuropharmacological activity of extracts from Passiflora incarnata. Planta Med. 1988;54:488-91.
  9. Capasso A., Sorrentino L. Pharmacological studies on the sedative and hypnotic effect of Kava kava and Passiflora extracts combination. Phytomedicine. 2005;12:39-45. PubMed
  10. 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.
  11. Smith, G. W., Chalmers, T. M., and Nuki, G. Vasculitis associated with herbal preparation containing Passiflora extract. Br J Rheumatol. 1993;32(1):87-88.
  12. Soulimani, R., Younos, C., Jarmouni, S., Bousta, D., Misslin, R., and Mortier, F. Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997;57(1):11-20. PubMed
  13. Nojoumi M, Ghaeli P, Salimi S, Sharifi A, Raisi F. Effects of Passion Flower Extract, as an Add-On Treatment to Sertraline, on Reaction Time in Patients ?with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;1
  14. Rokhtabnak F, Ghodraty MR, Kholdebarin A, et al. Comparing the Effect of Preoperative Administration of Melatonin and Passiflora incarnata on Postoperative Cognitive Disorders in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery. Anesth Pain Med. 2016;7(1):e4123 PubMed
  15. Dantas LP, de Oliveira-Ribeiro A, de Almeida-Souza LM, Groppo FC. Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017;22(1):e95-e101. PubMed
  16. Ozturk Z, Kalayci CC. Pregnancy outcomes in psychiatric patients treated with passiflora incarnata. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Feb;36:30-32. PubMed
  17. da Cunha RS, Amorim KS, Gercina AC, et al. Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2020. PubMed
  18. Schäfer AM, Gilgen PM, Spirgi C, et al. Constituents of Passiflora incarnata, but Not of Valeriana officinalis, Interact with the Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP)2B1 and OATP1A2. Planta Med. 2021. PubMed
  19. Mazzari ALDA, Lacerda MG, Milton FA, et al. In vitro effects of European and Latin-American medicinal plants in CYP3A4 gene expression, glutathione levels, and P-glycoprotein activity. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:826395. PubMed

See these in context on the Passion Flower 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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