The short answer
Identify this valerian root product before combining it with desipramine. The inventory name does not establish the species, and exact combination evidence is lacking.
What this answer covers
Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae species unresolved; Valeriana officinalis and Valeriana glechomifolia are not interchangeable.
- Supplement or preparation
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae
- Medication ingredient
- desipramine
Start with the botanical name
Ask the pharmacist to confirm the Latin species, root or rhizome, extract and other ingredients. Do not assume every valerian-root label means Valeriana officinalis.
Apply guidance only to a matching product
NCCIH advises against Valeriana officinalis with sedatives because a sleep-inducing effect is possible. That guidance is conditional on identifying the product.
The missing evidence is clinical
The available guidance does not test this root product with desipramine or establish a safe dose gap. A sleep-aid reputation alone does not prove an exact interaction.
Watch for impaired alertness
Desipramine can affect alertness and coordination. Avoid driving if affected and contact the prescriber if added sleepiness, confusion or unsteadiness appears after a new product. Severe confusion, fainting or inability to wake needs urgent assessment.
Evidence and practical considerations
Side effects & toxicity
Product identity and conditional alertness review are appropriate, but exact unidentified-root additive sedation is insufficiently established.
- Exact scope
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae species unresolved; Valeriana officinalis and Valeriana glechomifolia are not interchangeable. with Exact oral desipramine hydrochloride tablets. RxNorm IN 3247/PIN 203174 hydrochloride. Mainly norepinephrine reuptake activity does not erase the exact label’s serotonin warning. CYP2D6 inhibition can affect concentrations; not assumed identical to CYP3A substrates.
- Medication form and route
- oral
- Timing or duration
- Source-specific single-dose, repeated-dose and observational exposures distinguished.
What remains uncertain
- No exact human co-use study identified. Animal studies of another Valeriana species cannot establish this product’s effect.
Factors that may matter: preparation and plant part; clinical indication; dose; other medicines; baseline alertness.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: current product label
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People prescribed oral desipramine.
Exact label warns about serotonin syndrome with tryptophan and St John’s wort, CYP2D6 inhibition, impaired alertness and cardiovascular/anticholinergic effects.
How this applies: RxNorm IN 3247/PIN 203174 hydrochloride. Mainly norepinephrine reuptake activity does not erase the exact label’s serotonin warning. CYP2D6 inhibition can affect concentrations; not assumed identical to CYP3A substrates.
No universal supplement interval, event rate or preparation equivalence established. Original label distinguishes warnings from measured pair-specific results.
Source 2: official guidance
nccih.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People considering the specified supplement.
Possible but unproven sleep-inducing effect; advises against use with alcohol or sedatives. Mental dullness can occur; long-term safety is uncertain.
How this applies: Preparation-specific original evidence; no untested antidepressant or route transfer.
No desipramine interaction trial. Chronic use can be followed by withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Review and change history
- Publication status
- Published research summary
- Clinical review
- Not yet recorded
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Article prepared | |
| Current exact available claims adjudicated using original captures and explicit identity and comparator limits. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: 52012888b71e34f1
This guide brings together the evidence records used by our interaction checker. Each finding retains its own preparation limits, research date, and source summaries.
Full citations require verification. Reading this answer and the source summaries does not.
Taking other supplements or medications?
Use the checker to explore your other combinations. Ask a pharmacist to review the exact products, amounts and medical conditions in your complete list.
Open the interaction checkerInformation, not medical advice. Do not change prescribed treatment based on this guide.