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Most clinical studies have shown that valerian root is well-tolerated and safe for short-term use. Side effects, if any, tend to be mild and may include headache, dizziness, itchiness, upset stomach, dry mouth, vivid dreams, and daytime drowsiness.
Although rare, liver damage has been known to occur, usually in response to the overuse of valerian supplements or "wild-crafted" dried root. It is not known whether the cause of the liver damage was due to valerian itself or contaminants in the product.
To avoid injury, let your doctor know if you intend to use valerian root for medical purposes. Ideally, you should have your liver enzymes monitored regularly to ensure that your liver remains healthy and functioning.
Stop using valerian and call your doctor immediately if you have any signs of liver impairment, including persistent fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Valerian may cause excessive sleepiness if combined with alcohol, sedatives, some antidepressants, over-the-counter sleeping pills, or cold and flu remedies containing codeine, diphenhydramine, or doxylamine.
Due to the lack of safety research, valerian should not be used in children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. It should also be used with extreme caution in heavy drinkers or people with liver disease.
Drug Interactions
Valerian is broken down in the liver by an enzyme known as cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Theoretically, it could interfere with the effectiveness of medications that are also broken down by CYP450, including:
- Allergy medications like Allegra (fexofenadine)
- Antifungal drugs such as Sporanox (itraconazole) or Diflucan (fluconazole)
- Cancer medications like Camptosar (irinotecan), Etopophos (etoposide), STI571, Abraxane (paclitaxel), Velban (vinblastine), or Vincasar (vincristine)
- Statin drugs such as Mevacor (lovastatin) or Lipitor (atorvastatin) *
