Drug interactions
Pentazocine + Valerian
Severity: Moderate
Pentazocine 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 mild sedative properties and may add to the drowsiness caused by pentazocine. The effect is generally modest but may impair alertness and psychomotor performance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pentazocine 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, thought to involve GABAergic activity of valerian.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid valerian while on opioid therapy or to monitor for excessive sedation and avoid driving.
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?
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Other interactions of Pentazocine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Pentazocine Major
- Alprazolam + Pentazocine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pentazocine with Valerian?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pentazocine 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 mild sedative properties and may add to the drowsiness caused by pentazocine. The effect is generally modest but may impair alertness and psychomotor performance.
How serious is the interaction between Pentazocine 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 patients to avoid valerian while on opioid therapy or to monitor for excessive sedation and avoid driving.
What other medicines interact with Pentazocine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pentazocine with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Pentazocine page.
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