Drug interactions
Valproic acid + Zuranolone
Severity: Moderate
Valproic acid and Zuranolone: 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
Zuranolone causes somnolence and psychomotor impairment, and valproate adds further CNS depression. Taking both can increase drowsiness, dizziness and impaired driving ability.
What this interaction means in plain words
Valproic acid and Zuranolone 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.
Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System; Zuranolone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, with zuranolone acting as a GABA-A positive allosteric modulator and valproate enhancing GABAergic activity.
What to do
Consider a lower zuranolone dose if valproate cannot be stopped, and monitor for excessive sedation. Counsel patients not to drive or operate machinery for at least 12 hours after each dose.
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 Valproic acid
- Ertapenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
Other interactions of Zuranolone
- Alprazolam + Zuranolone Major
- Amobarbital + Zuranolone Major
- Apalutamide + Zuranolone Major
- Asenapine + Zuranolone Major
- Brexpiprazole + Zuranolone Major
- Butorphanol + Zuranolone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Valproic acid with Zuranolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Valproic acid and Zuranolone 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. Zuranolone causes somnolence and psychomotor impairment, and valproate adds further CNS depression. Taking both can increase drowsiness, dizziness and impaired driving ability.
How serious is the interaction between Valproic acid and Zuranolone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider a lower zuranolone dose if valproate cannot be stopped, and monitor for excessive sedation. Counsel patients not to drive or operate machinery for at least 12 hours after each dose.
What other medicines interact with Valproic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Valproic acid with, for example, Ertapenem, Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam, Imipenem / cilastatin. The full list is on the Valproic acid page.
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