Valerian

Valerian is an herbal supplement used in treatment for insomnia/sleep disorders, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depression, epilepsy, infantile convulsions, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, restlessness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and tremors.

• Valerian promotes falling asleep, but does not reduce night awakenings. Valerian does not relieve insomnia as fast as benzodiazepines.
• Valerian is available under the following different brand names: all heal, amantilla, baldrian, baldrianwurzel, garden heliotrope, herba benedicta, Valeriana edulis, Valeriana jatamansii, Valeriana officinalis, Valeriana sitchensis, Valeriana spp, and Valeriana wallichii.

Varies

• Varies

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Insomnia

• Aqueous Extract: 400-900 mg orally up to 2 hours before bedtime
• Ethanolic extract: 600 mg orally at bedtime
• Root (fresh or dried): 2-3 grams orally three ties daily
• Combinations with hops or lemon balm: 320-500 mg orally at bedtime
• No more than 28 days

Common side effects of valerian include:

• heart disturbances
• excitability
• headache
• hepatotoxicity
• insomnia
• morning drowsiness
• sedation
• uneasiness
• withdrawal syndrome (chronic use)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Valerian has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Valerian has serious interactions with at least 67 different drugs.
• Valerian has moderate interactions with at least 43 different drugs.
• Mild interactions of valerian include:
  • irinotecan
  • irinotecan liposomal

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

• This medication contains valerian. Do not take all heal, mantilla, baldrian, baldrianwurzel, garden heliotrope, herba benedicta, Valeriana edulis, Valeriana jatamansii, Valeriana officinalis, Valeriana sitchensis, Valeriana spp, or Valeriana wallichii if you are allergic to valerian or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Valerian?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Valerian?"

Cautions

• Concurrent use with central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
• Concurrent use with CYP 3A4 substrates.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Avoid theuse of valerian during pregnancy.
• Avoid the use of valerian during breastfeeding.