Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Serotonin FX Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by The People's Chemist

Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Serotonin FX is a dietary supplement by The People's Chemist with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sleep problems, low mood and depression, anxiety.Based on those ingredients, 945 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Valerian, L-Tryptophan. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Sleep Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (500 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Serotonin FX contains 2 active ingredients: L-tryptophan and valerian. L-tryptophan is an amino acid your body uses to make serotonin, the chemical in your brain linked to mood.

Valerian is an herb traditionally used to support sleep and ease nervousness. The capsule itself contains gelatin as an inactive ingredient.

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: sleep support and reduce sugar cravings.
  • We looked for evidence on: Insomnia, Anxiety, Stress, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Dysmenorrhea — and 3 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Valerian is rated "Possibly Effective" for Insomnia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: L-tryptophan is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
  • Also on file: Valerian is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Pre-procedural anxiety, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Stress.

For L-tryptophan: the data we hold rates it possibly ineffective for depression. Evidence for anxiety, athletic performance, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and bruxism is insufficient to say whether it works.

For valerian: it's rated possibly effective for insomnia. Evidence for restless legs syndrome, pre-procedural anxiety, stress, and dysmenorrhea is insufficient.

Neither ingredient has strong proof behind it for this product's stated purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient L-tryptophan Valerian

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

L-tryptophan is generally well tolerated, though the most common side effects are belching, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, flatulence, headache, heartburn, lightheadedness, nausea, stomach pain, visual blurring, and vomiting. Valerian is generally well tolerated short-term; common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, mental slowness, headache, and gastrointestinal upset.

Both ingredients have a past safety concern: in 1989, more than 1,500 cases of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious neurological disorder, were linked to contaminated L-tryptophan from a single Japanese manufacturer; roughly 95% of cases traced to that source. Long-term safety of valerian is not well studied.

If you use valerian for a long time and then stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like tachycardia, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia—taper slowly after extended use.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient L-tryptophan Valerian

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — L-tryptophan, Valerian.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 946 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 starting Serotonin FX, check your medications in the tool below if you take CNS depressants (sleeping pills, sedatives, opioid pain relievers, benzodiazepines like alprazolam), any serotonergic drug (antidepressants, migraine medications, and others), or alcohol. Also check if you take drugs processed by glucuronidation pathways (ask your pharmacist if you're unsure) or broken down by CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 liver enzymes.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is worth discussing with your pharmacist before you take it, especially if you're on any sedating medications, antidepressants, or pain relievers. The ingredient L-tryptophan has a documented history of contamination and carries serious interaction risks with common drugs.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, both ingredients advise against use.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 24, 2019.

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 Serotonin FX, straight from the product label.

Brand The People's Chemist
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2019
DSLD ID 206885
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten 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 Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist, 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
90
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Tryptophan0 NP--
Sleep Blend500 mg--
Valerian0 NP--

Other ingredients: Gelatin

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.
General Statements

Raw

4. Shane mentioned that Serotonin FX also curbs sugar cravings during the day, does that mean I should take it in the morning with breakfast? No, not unless you want to be asleep at your desk by 10 am, drooling all over your work. Taking Serotonin FX at night, 1-2 hrs before bed will help you sleep and that same dose will also reduce sugar cravings all the next day, without taking anymore.

Another great way to remove sugar from your diet is don’t buy any sweets. It may sound obvious, but a mother may buy sweets for other people in the household or guests and then it becomes a mental battle of constant temptation. Just remove them from your family’s diet; you’ll be doing them and yourself a great, big favor.

5. What if my schedule won’t allow me to get the recommended 7-8 hrs of sleep? Plenty of rest is much more necessary than most people think. One of the reasons why we, as Americans, have the highest rate of obesity in the world, is because we think anyone who sleeps a lot is lazy. The body needs time to repair itself, to properly digest food and waste products, to remove free radicals and for all of the biochemical processes to complete their night time phase, in order to produce fat burning and anti-aging hormones to increase longevity. A tired body has a harder time doing daring things, like having the energy to live young. More sleep means more productivity!

6. What if the recommended usage doesn’t help me sleep? Usage is based on weight, but everyone has a different height, metabolism and digestion. One capsule per 70 lbs is usually sufficient, but some people do better on one capsule per 50 lbs. Also, be aware that too much coffee and/or other stimulants during the day can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Work on getting enough rest first and then you may not need so much coffee. Best practice is to stop caffeinated beverages by 1pm.

The People’s Chemist provides these articles for information only. They are not meant to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and do not replace professional medical advice from a medical doctor. I am not a doctor and would only “play doctor” if I was with my wife. In fact, I have not even read Grey’s Anatomy.

Every testimonial on this site is true and correct as submitted by active customers. Their results are individual cases and do not at all guarantee that you will get the same results. Results vary widely and there is nothing that works 100%.

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose you, treat you, cure you or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Product sold on this site are for personal use and not for resale.

All orders placed through this website are subject to The People’s Chemist acceptance, in its sole discretion. This means that The People’s Chemist may refuse to accept, or may cancel, any order, whether or not it has been confirmed, without liability to you or any third party. The People’s Chemist reserves the right to discontinue any program or offer.

For a master list of references and scientific citations relevant to the content of The People’s Chemist, please click here.

Recent media coverage and scientific publications has focused on the ingredients generically, not the individual products that contain those ingredients.

Individual results may vary

Help for sleep, naturally

Formulation

Organic

Gluten free Non-GMO No Soy No excipients

Formula

Frequently asked questions 1. My bottle smells really bad, is that normal? One of the ingredients in Serotonin FX is organic, whole herb valerian. This is a powerful knock-out herb that contains volatile oils, which are very odiferous. The way to tell if the valerian you have is fresh and active is by this signature smell. If it doesn’t smell, it isn’t any good and it won’t do its job. It’s a good thing if it smells.

The ingredient that aids this is L-tryptophan, an amino acid. Therefore, in addition to helping you get a good night’s sleep, sugar cravings are greatly reduced for anyone trying to remove sugar from their diet.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

2. How many should I take? As with all supplements, each person needs to determine what works best for them. The usage on the bottle indicates that 1 capsule should be taken for each 50 – 70 lbs of body weight. Not everyone will need that much, because this is a powerful herbal blend. For some 1 capsule might be enough to get a very good night’s sleep, even though they weigh 165 lbs. For others, even at that same weight, they may need 3 or 4 capsules to nod off easily. It’s best to start at the lower range and work your way up, as needed, to find out what’s best for you.

3. How often should I take Serotonin FX? Take as needed. Usually you don’t need it every night. There is a residual effect. Since it actives your circadian rhythm, it won’t make you tired during the day, but will in fact help you sleep at night over a period of days, even with one dose. To start, take for five nights in a row, then see how it affects you taking every other day or even once per week. Experiment. And remember, you can’t overdose on it!

Now, that said, we do understand that not everyone has an ideal schedule. The important thing here is get a good full night’s sleep when you can (7-8 hrs). When you just cannot, you can also take Serotonin FX to maximize your deep REM sleep during the time you do have. It will increase the quality of your sleep, when you cannot increase the quantity.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. Products sold by The People’s Chemist are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical disease. They are not approved by FDA.

Precautions

Information provided by The People’s Chemist is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. If you want more detailed information, read Over-The-Counter Natural Cures Expanded. Also, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or emergency.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Sleep Blend

500 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Serotonin FX?

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
945Drugs
248 Major 217 Moderate 480 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Valerian 902

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Serotonin FX with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Valerian6 drug types · 902 drugs

Alcohol (Ethanol)

Valerian can have additive sedative effects when used concomitantly with alcohol.
Valerian has sedative effects. Theoretically, valerian might have an additive sedative effect when combined with alcohol. Excessive sedation has been reported in an alcohol-abusing individual who took valerian and Gingko biloba. However, the potential interaction between valerian and alcohol has been disputed in other research. Limited evidence suggests that a combination of valerian 160 mg and lemon balm 80 mg (Euvegal) does not cause further deterioration in reaction ability and reaction rate when taken with alcohol as compared to the effects of alcohol alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Alprazolam (Xanax)

Valerian can have additive sedative effects when used with alprazolam. Also, valerian in high doses might modestly increase alprazolam levels, though this is not likely to be clinically significant.
Valerian has sedative effects. Theoretically, valerian might cause additive sedation when combined with alprazolam. Also, a small pharmacokinetic study shows that taking valerian extract 1000 mg daily (providing 11 mg valerenic acid) might increase alprazolam levels by about 19%. This might be due to valerian's mild inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Despite being statistically significant, this increase is not likely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cns Depressants

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Glucuronidated Drugs

Valerian might weakly inhibit glucuronidation and increase concentrations of drugs metabolized by UGT1A1 and UGT2B7.
In vitro research shows that methanolic valerian extract and valerenic acid might competitively inhibit UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 (UGT1A1) and UGT2B7.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Valerian does not seem to have a clinically relevant effect on levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Although some in vitro evidence suggests that valerian extract might inhibit or induce CYP3A4, clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) studies show that valerian does not have a clinically significant effect on the CYP3A4 enzyme. In one PK study, taking valerian 125 mg three times daily for 28 days did not affect metabolism of midazolam, an accepted CYP3A4 probe-substrate. In another PK study, taking valerian 1000 mg (providing about 11 mg valerenic acid) nightly for 14 days modestly increases levels of alprazolam, a CYP3A4 substrate, suggesting mild inhibition of CYP3A4. However, this mild inhibition is unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

L-Tryptophan2 drug types · 394 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of L-tryptophan with CNS depressants might cause additive sedative effects.
Clinical research shows that L-tryptophan can cause fatigue and drowsiness.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Serotonergic Drugs

Theoretically, combining L-tryptophan with serotonergic drugs might cause additive serotonergic effects.
L-tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. Theoretically, combining serotonergic drugs with L-tryptophan might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Serotonin FX, from the product label.

The People's Chemist

See all The People's Chemist products
Name
The People's Chemist
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist: Common Questions

Does Serotonin FX by The People's Chemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Serotonin FX has a known interaction with 945 medications, including 248 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Serotonin FX contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 side effects might I notice from L-tryptophan?
Most common ones are belching, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, flatulence, headache, heartburn, lightheadedness, nausea, stomach pain, visual blurring, and vomiting. Serious side effects are rare, but L-tryptophan has been associated with a neurological disorder called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), though almost all documented cases were traced to contaminated product from a single manufacturer in Japan decades ago.
What side effects might I notice from valerian?
Common ones are dizziness, drowsiness, mental slowness, headache, and gastrointestinal upset. If you take valerian regularly and then stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia—that's why you should taper the dose slowly if you've been using it long-term.
Does this product work for depression?
L-tryptophan is rated possibly ineffective for depression based on the evidence we hold. Valerian doesn't address depression; it's used for sleep. This product isn't established for mood support.
Does this product work for sleep?
Valerian, one of the two active ingredients, is rated possibly effective for insomnia. L-tryptophan is not rated for sleep in our data. Evidence for valerian's use in other sleep-related conditions like restless legs syndrome is insufficient.
Is it safe to use this product if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. L-tryptophan lacks enough safety data for pregnancy and is not recommended while breastfeeding. Valerian is also not established as safe in pregnancy and should be avoided while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you can safely take.
Can I stop taking valerian anytime, or do I need to taper it?
If you've been taking valerian regularly for a while and then stop suddenly, withdrawal symptoms like rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia can occur. It's best to reduce your dose gradually after extended use.

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

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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.

Serotonin FX label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Serotonin FX'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 55 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.

L-tryptophan 18 references
  1. Messiha FS. Fluoxetine: adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1993;31:603-30. PubMed
  2. Devoe LD, Castillo RA, Searle NS. Maternal dietary substrates and human fetal biophysical activity. The effects of tryptophan and glucose on fetal breathing movements. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1986;155:135-9. DOI
  3. Lieberman HR, Corkin S, Spring BJ. The effects of dietary neurotransmitter precursors on human behavior. Am J Clin Nutr 1985;42:366-70. PubMed
  4. U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. Information Paper on L-Tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, February 2001.
  5. Sullivan EA, Kamb ML, Jones JL, et al. The natural history of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome in a tryptophan-exposed cohort in South Carolina. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:973-9. DOI
  6. Philen RM, Hill RH, Flanders WD, et al. Tryptophan contaminants associated with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Am J Epidemiol 1993;138:154-9. PubMed
  7. Bohme A, Wolter M, Hoelzer D. L-tryptophan-related eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome possibly associated with a chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia. Ann Hematol 1998;77:235-8. PubMed
  8. Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3. PubMed
  9. Priori R, Conti F, Luan FL, et al. Chronic fatigue: a peculiar evolution of eosinophilia myalgia syndrome following treatment with L-tryptophan in four Italian adolescents. Eur J Pediatr 1994;153:344-6..
  10. Klein R, Berg PA. A comparative study on antibodies to nucleoli and 5-hydroxytryptamine in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and tryptophan-induced eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Clin Investig 1994;72:541-9.. PubMed
  11. Simat TJ, Kleeberg KK, Muller B, Sierts A. Synthesis, formation, and occurrence of contaminants in biotechnologically manufactured L-tryptophan. Adv Exp Med Biol 1999;467:469-80.. PubMed
  12. Shaw K, Turner J, Del Mar C. Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(1):CD003198. PubMed
  13. Kilbourne EM, Philen RM, Kamb ML, Falk H. Tryptophan produced by Showa Denko and epidemic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. J Rheumatol Suppl 1996;46:81-8.
  14. Horwitz RI, Daniels SR. Bias or biology: evaluating the epidemiologic studies of L-tryptophan and the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. J Rheumatol Suppl 1996;46:60-72.
  15. Shapiro S. Epidemiologic studies of the association of L-tryptophan with the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: a critique. J Rheumatol Suppl 1996;46:44-58.
  16. Mayeno AN, Gleich GJ. The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: lessons from Germany. Mayo Clin Proc 1994;69:702-4. PubMed
  17. Carr L, Ruther E, Berg PA, Lehnert H. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome in Germany: an epidemiologic review. Mayo Clin Proc 1994;69:620-5. PubMed
  18. Ullrich SS, Fitzgerald PCE, Giesbertz P, Steinert RE, Horowitz M, Feinle-Bisset C. Effects of intragastric administration of tryptophan on the blood glucose response to a nutrient drink and energy intake, in lean and obese men. Nutrients 2018;10(4). pii: PubMed

See these in context on the L-tryptophan monograph →

Valerian 37 references
  1. Willey LB, Mady SP, Cobaugh DJ, Wax PM. Valerian overdose: a case report. Vet Hum Toxicol 1995;37:364-5.
  2. Kuhlmann J, Berger W, Podzuweit H, Schmidt U. The influence of valerian treatment on "reaction time, alertness and concentration" in volunteers. Pharmacopsychiatry 1999;32:235-41. PubMed
  3. Klepser TB, Klepser ME. Unsafe and potentially safe herbal therapies. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:125-38. PubMed
  4. Houghton PJ. The scientific basis for the reputed activity of Valerian. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999;51:505-12. PubMed
  5. Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PM. Cardiac complications and delirium associated with Valerian root withdrawal. [Letter to the Editor]. JAMA 1998;280:1566-7. PubMed
  6. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  7. MacGregor FB, Abernethy VE, Dahabra S, et al. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. BMJ 1989;299:1156-7. PubMed
  8. Leathwood PD, Chauffard F. Aqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep in man. Planta Med 1985;2:144-8. PubMed
  9. Hadley S, Petry JJ. Valerian. Am Fam Physician 2003;67:1755-8..
  10. Glass JR, Sproule BA, Herrmann N, et al. Acute pharmacological effects of temazepam, diphenhydramine, and valerian in healthy elderly subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2003;23:260-8. PubMed
  11. Lefebvre T, Foster BC, Drouin CE, et al. In vitro activity of commercial valerian root extracts against human cytochrome P450 3A4. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci 2004;7:265-73.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Gutierrez S, Ang-Lee MK, Walker DJ, Zacny JP. Assessing subjective and psychomotor effects of the herbal medication valerian in healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2004;78:57-64. PubMed
  16. Jacobs BP, Bent S, Tice JA, et al. An internet-based randomized, placebo-controlled trial of kava and valerian for anxiety and insomnia. Medicine (Baltimore) 2005;84:197-207. PubMed
  17. National Toxicology Program, US Department of Health and Human Services. Chemical Information Review Document for Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) [CAS No. 8057-49-6] and Oils [CAS No. 8008-88-6]. Supporting Nomination for Toxicological Evaluation by t
  18. Fernández-San-Martín MI, Masa-Font R, Palacios-Soler L, et al. Effectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Med. 2010 Jun;11:505-11. PubMed
  19. Coxeter PD, Schluter PJ, Eastwood HL, et al. Valerian does not appear to reduce symptoms for patients with chronic insomnia in general practice using a series of randomised n-of-1 trials. Complement Ther Med. 2003 Dec;11:215-22. PubMed
  20. Diaper A, Hindmarch I. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of two doses of a valerian preparation on the sleep, cognitive and psychomotor function of sleep-disturbed older adults. Phytother Res. 2004 Oct;18:831-6. PubMed
  21. Cuellar NG, Ratcliffe SJ. Does valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndrome? Altern Ther Health Med 2009;15:22-8.
  22. Chen D, Klesmer J, Giovanniello A, et al. Mental status changes in an alcohol abuser taking valerian and gingko biloba. Am J Addict. 2002 Winter;11:75-7. PubMed
  23. Albrecht M, Berger W, Laux P, Schmidt U, et al. Psychopharmaka und Verkehrssicherheit. Der Einfluß von Euvegal® - Dragees forte auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und Kombinationswirkungen mit Alkohol Z Allg Med 1995;71:1215-25.
  24. 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.
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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.

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