Is Gabapentin Safe To Take With Ashwagandha?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the safety of combining ashwagandha and gabapentin.
Can I take ashwagandha and gabapentin together?
Mar 12, 2023- Both ashwagandha and gabapentin can have sedative effects, so taking them together may increase drowsiness or sedation.
- This combination does not appear to pose serious risks like respiratory depression, though you should monitor for additive sedative effects that could affect your daily activities.
- Many people have taken ashwagandha and gabapentin together without experiencing adverse effects, but how this combination affects you may vary.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out! This is an interaction we have detailed on one of our 'drug-herbal interaction' pages, but I'll provide a brief overview here as well for you.
Both ashwagandha and gabapentin are used for a variety of purposes.
Gabapentin, for example, can be used as an anticonvulsant, to prevent migraines, and for neuropathic pain, just to name a few indications.
Ashwagandha is primarily used as a natural supplement to help alleviate stress and anxiety. It is often referred to as an 'adaptogen', helping the body adapt to things like stress, anxiety, fatigue, etc...
Our interaction page details the theoretical interaction between gabapentin and ashwagandha and that interaction is based on the fact that both gabapentin and ashwagandha can have sedative effects.
So, the concern is essentially additive sedative effects. Aside from this, there is no indication that ashwagandha and gabapentin affect the other in any clinically significant way.
Watch For Additive Sedation
Caution is always recommended taken with combining sedative drugs to the risk of additive effects. However, some drug combinations are certainly riskier than others, such as a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines.
While ashwagandha and gabapentin may have sedative effects together, there is no evidence to suggest that the combination poses any more risk than that. There does not appear to be a risk of anything potentially life-threatening, like respiratory depression (which can happen with certain drug combinations).
Also, it is worth noting that research suggests that ashwagandha may have an effect on GABA receptors in the body, receptors where gabapentin has activity also. This may be why there is the potential for an additive sedative effect.
Final Words
Overall, this potential interaction is important to be aware of, since sedation can affect our ability to perform daily activities.
However, this combination may not affect everyone the same way, and there are certainly plenty of reports and studies where ashwagandha and gabapentin have been taken together with no adverse effects.
I want to thank you for reaching out and I encourage you to do so again if anything comes up!
References & sources
- Comparative behavioural profile of newer antianxiety drugs on different mazes — PubMed
- An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study — PubMed
- Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Anticonvulsant
- A medication that prevents or reduces seizures by controlling abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Neuropathic pain
- Pain caused by damage or dysfunction of nerves, often described as burning, tingling, or shooting sensations.
- Adaptogen
- A natural substance that helps the body manage and adapt to physical or emotional stress.
- Additive sedative effects
- When two substances that each cause drowsiness or relaxation are combined, making the total effect stronger than either one alone.
- Benzodiazepines
- A class of prescription medications that produce calming and sedative effects by slowing brain activity.
- Respiratory depression
- A dangerous condition where breathing becomes dangerously shallow or slows down.
- GABA receptors
- Binding sites in the brain where a calming neurotransmitter attaches, helping to reduce nerve activity and promote relaxation.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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