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Drug interactions

Chloral hydrate + Valerian

Severity: Moderate

Chloral hydrate and Valerian: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Valerian has sedative effects and may add to the CNS depression of chloral hydrate, causing excessive drowsiness and impaired alertness.

What this interaction means in plain words

Chloral hydrate and Valerian can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression, likely via GABAergic effects of valerian.

What to do

Advise avoiding valerian while on chloral hydrate. If used together, counsel on sedation and driving risk.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Chloral hydrate with Valerian?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Valerian can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Valerian has sedative effects and may add to the CNS depression of chloral hydrate, causing excessive drowsiness and impaired alertness.

How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Valerian?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise avoiding valerian while on chloral hydrate. If used together, counsel on sedation and driving risk.

What other medicines interact with Chloral hydrate?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloral hydrate with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Chloral hydrate page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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