Drug interactions
Tapentadol + Valerian
Severity: Moderate
Tapentadol 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 that can add to opioid-induced drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. The effect is usually modest but can matter in older or frail patients or at higher opioid doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Tapentadol 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, likely via GABAergic activity of valerian components.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid valerian while taking tapentadol or to monitor closely for excess sedation. Stop valerian if drowsiness or confusion develops.
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 Tapentadol
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tapentadol Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Tapentadol with Valerian?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Tapentadol 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 that can add to opioid-induced drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. The effect is usually modest but can matter in older or frail patients or at higher opioid doses.
How serious is the interaction between Tapentadol 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 taking tapentadol or to monitor closely for excess sedation. Stop valerian if drowsiness or confusion develops.
What other medicines interact with Tapentadol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tapentadol with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid. The full list is on the Tapentadol page.
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