The short answer
Identify the valerian species and preparation before adding this root product to phenobarbital. The inventory name alone does not establish which valerian evidence applies.
What this answer covers
Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae has unresolved species identity; V. officinalis guidance applies only if that species is confirmed.
- Supplement or preparation
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae
- Medication ingredient
- phenobarbital
Start with the full botanical name
Ask the pharmacist to identify the Latin species and whether the product contains root, rhizome, an extract or a mixture. Do not assume this inventory name means Valeriana officinalis.
What applies if the species matches
For Valeriana officinalis, NCCIH describes possible mental dullness and advises against use with sedatives. Those statements cannot simply be transferred to an unidentified species.
Do not infer safety from uncertain benefit
A study’s failure to show insomnia benefit does not establish safety with phenobarbital. No protective spacing interval is available for this unidentified root product.
Watch for impaired alertness
Phenobarbital can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination. Avoid driving when affected, and seek urgent help for severe difficulty waking or breathing. Other sedating medicines and alcohol make a careful medication review especially important.
Evidence and practical considerations
Side effects & toxicity
An identity check and conditional alertness precaution are appropriate, but the broad unidentified-root sedation claim is insufficient.
- Exact scope
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae has unresolved species identity; V. officinalis guidance applies only if that species is confirmed. with Exact oral phenobarbital; parent and metabolites distinguished; no other drug/route assumed equivalent.
- Medication form and route
- oral supplement unless pregnancy section explicitly distinguishes neonatal injection
- Timing or duration
- Preparation, dose and duration determine applicability; chronic nutrition evidence is not a single-dose interaction.
What remains uncertain
- Common root name does not establish species or extract. No exact phenobarbital co-use study.
Factors that may matter: exact supplement identity; dose; other medicines; clinical indication; baseline nutrition; pregnancy where relevant.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: current product label
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People prescribed oral phenobarbital.
Causes CNS depression and can impair driving; other CNS depressants can add to these effects. Adult plasma half-life is prolonged. Abrupt withdrawal after dependence can cause seizures and other serious symptoms. Long-term treatment warrants periodic clinical and laboratory assessment.
How this applies: Exact RxCUI 8134 IN and UNII YQE403BP4D, oral plain ingredient; no automatic sodium-injection or other barbiturate transfer.
Does not name the requested botanicals or establish supplement-specific interaction rates or spacing. Current DailyMed listing is unapproved drug other, not evidence of FDA approval.
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 context; not a directly measured either requested antiseizure drug interaction.
No either requested antiseizure drug interaction trial. Chronic use can be followed by withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly.
Source 3: randomized placebo-controlled trial
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: 391 adults randomized to three groups in an internet-based trial.
Neither active intervention improved its primary anxiety or insomnia outcome more than placebo.
How this applies: Preparation-specific context; not a directly measured either requested antiseizure drug interaction.
Not both active botanicals together, not either requested antiseizure drug co-use. Accessible abstract does not fully characterize dose and preparation; efficacy result is not proof of combination safety.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Review and change history
- Publication status
- Published research summary
- Clinical review
- Not yet recorded
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Article prepared | |
| Exact current available claims reviewed against captured originals; no clinical review asserted. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: 14496257ca665a8d
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.