What happens when you take lorazepam with valerian?
Lorazepam (Ativan) is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the effects of GABA, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, at the GABA-A receptor. Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the most widely used herbal sleep and anxiety aids, and its proposed mechanism is similar: valerenic acid and related compounds are thought to act on the GABA-A receptor system. Because they may push the same lever in the same direction, taking them together can in theory add up.
- Both target GABA signalling. Lorazepam clearly enhances GABA at the GABA-A receptor. Valerian's valerenic acid appears to modulate the same receptor system, although its activity is far weaker and less well characterised than a prescription benzodiazepine's.
- The effects may be additive. When two substances that both calm the central nervous system are combined, sedation can be deeper than with either alone. With lorazepam plus valerian this means a possible increase in drowsiness, slower thinking, and reduced reaction time.
- The size of the effect is uncertain. Reference sources flag this as a theoretical, mechanism-based caution. The herbal contribution is modest, dosing of valerian products is not standardised, and the combined effect in people has not been well quantified.
Why is this important?
Valerian is sold over the counter and is often perceived as a gentle, side-effect-free herbal alternative to prescription sleep aids. That perception can mask a real, if modest, pharmacological overlap. When valerian is layered on top of lorazepam, the total sedative load can be a little larger than your prescriber planned for.
- Daytime grogginess and driving. Extra sedation can carry over into the next day as grogginess and slower reactions, which matters most if you drive or operate machinery.
- Falls in older adults. Lorazepam tends to linger longer in older people because clearance slows with age. Any added sedation is a reasonable concern in this group, where over-sedation is linked to falls.
- Unpredictable herbal potency. Valerian products are not standardised, so two capsules from different brands can deliver noticeably different amounts of active compound. That makes any additive effect harder to anticipate.
It is worth keeping perspective: this is a cautionary, theoretical interaction. An animal study that formally tested whether valerian and CNS depressants act synergistically found no true synergy, and there are no published human case reports of serious harm from the combination. The sensible response is care, not fear.
What should you do?
If you take lorazepam, the simplest approach is to keep valerian out of your routine and to make any changes with your prescriber rather than on your own.
Before you change anything: Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any valerian product you already use, including teas and multi-herb sleep blends. Ask them to review your sleep or anxiety plan as a whole. Do not stop lorazepam abruptly — benzodiazepines must be tapered under clinician supervision.
Every day while on lorazepam: Skip valerian capsules, tinctures, teas, and any combination sleep or stress product that lists valerian. Read labels, since valerian is often blended with other mild sedatives. If you feel even mildly impaired, do not drive or operate machinery.
After any change: Notice how you feel over the following days. If you stop valerian, watch for changes in sleep so you and your prescriber can adjust the plan. For sleep, the strongest non-drug evidence supports cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, a consistent schedule, and limiting caffeine, alcohol, and screens before bed. For anxiety, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and regular exercise have the best long-term evidence and do not stack sedation on top of a benzodiazepine. Seek urgent medical attention for excessive drowsiness, confusion, slow or shallow breathing, or trouble being woken.
Which specific products are affected?
Lorazepam is sold under the brand names Ativan and Loreev XR, as well as many generic immediate-release tablets, oral concentrate solutions, and injectable forms used in hospitals. The same caution applies to every formulation.
For valerian, the relevant label names are valerian, valerian root, Valeriana officinalis, valerian extract, and sometimes specific actives such as valerenic acid. Valerian appears in stand-alone capsules and tinctures, as a single-herb tea, and in many multi-ingredient sleep formulas that also include passionflower, hops, lemon balm, chamomile, melatonin, or magnesium. Be especially careful with night-time blends sold as natural sleep aids, because they often combine several mild sedatives whose effects can compound with each other and with lorazepam.
The science behind it
The concern rests mainly on shared pharmacology plus precautionary reference guidance, rather than on strong human outcome data.
- The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Valerian fact sheet notes that valerian may have additive sedative effects with CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines and advises caution, while describing the herb's overall effects as modest. (ods.od.nih.gov)
- The Drugs.com interaction database lists lorazepam with valerian root as a precautionary interaction based on additive CNS depression, again a theoretical/mechanism-based flag rather than a documented pattern of harm. (drugs.com)
- An isobolographic analysis in mice (Ugalde M, et al., PubMed 15901352) formally tested whether a valerian extract and CNS depressants act synergistically and found the interaction was additive at most, with no true synergy. As an animal pharmacology study, it speaks to mechanism rather than to outcomes in people.
Taken together, the evidence supports treating this as a sensible precaution: avoid stacking the two where you can, but there is no basis for alarm about a unique or dangerous risk from the pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it dangerous to take valerian with lorazepam?
It is best avoided as a precaution because both can calm the central nervous system, but the documented risk is modest. Reference sources flag it as theoretical, and there are no published human reports of serious harm. The main practical concern is extra drowsiness.
Can I have valerian tea while on lorazepam?
The same caution applies to teas as to capsules, since the tea still contains valerian. If you enjoy a bedtime tea, choose a valerian-free herbal blend and check the ingredient list, then mention your routine to your pharmacist.
I took both last night. Should I worry?
A single overlap is unlikely to be dangerous for most people, especially at usual amounts. Watch for unusual drowsiness or grogginess, avoid driving if you feel impaired, and seek care for slow or shallow breathing or trouble staying awake. Going forward, stop the valerian and tell your prescriber.
Can I stop lorazepam and just use valerian instead?
Do not stop lorazepam on your own. Benzodiazepines must be tapered under clinician supervision to avoid withdrawal. If you want to move away from lorazepam, your prescriber can plan a safe taper and discuss alternatives.
Are other herbal sleep aids a safer swap?
Many night-time blends contain several mild sedatives such as passionflower, hops, or chamomile, which raise the same additive-sedation question. Rather than swapping one sedative herb for another while on lorazepam, ask your doctor or pharmacist which non-sedating options fit your situation.
How long after stopping valerian is it fine?
Valerian does not linger long in the body, so any additive effect fades within roughly a day of stopping. The more important step is letting your prescriber know so your overall sleep or anxiety plan can be reviewed.
Key takeaways
- Lorazepam and valerian both act on GABA signalling, so combining them may add to sedation and drowsiness.
- This is a precautionary, mechanism-based interaction: reference sources advise caution, a mouse study found no true synergy, and there are no human reports of serious harm.
- The most realistic concern is extra daytime grogginess and, in older adults, a higher chance of falls.
- It is best to avoid valerian-containing products while on lorazepam, and to check sleep-blend labels for hidden valerian.
- Never stop lorazepam abruptly; benzodiazepines must be tapered with your prescriber.
- Review evidence-based sleep and anxiety options with your doctor or pharmacist rather than stacking sedatives.