Drug
Alprazolam
Common brand names:
Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XRAlprazolam is used to treat anxiety and panic disorder, and is in a family of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Negative Interactions
2- Potential Negative Interaction
Alprazolam
Kava
Kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb used to treat anxiety disorder. One individual who took alprazolam and kava together, along with two other medications (cimetidine and terazosin) was hospitalized in a lethargic and disoriented condition. Further research is needed to determine whether the combination of kava and alprazolam produces an adverse interaction. However, individuals should not take alprazolam and kava together unless supervised by a doctor.
KavaAlprazolam- Almeida JC, Grimsley EW. Coma from the health food store: Interaction between kava and alprazolam. Arch Intern Med 1996;125:940-1.
- Potential Negative Interaction
Alprazolam
St. John’s Wort
St. John's wort increases the activity of an enzyme in the body that metabolizes alprazolam. Consequently, supplementation with St. John's wort may increase the metabolism of, and therefore reduce the activity of, alprazolam.St. John’s WortAlprazolam- Roby CA, Anderson GD, Kantor E, et al. St John's Wort: effect on CYP3A4 activity. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;67:451-7.
Supportive Interactions
1- Support Medicine
Alprazolam
Vinpocetine
In a preliminary trial, an extract of periwinkle called vinpocetine was shown to produce minor improvements in short-term memory among people taking flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine. Further study is needed to determine if vinpocetine would be a helpful adjunct to use of benzodiazepines, or alprazolam specifically.
VinpocetineAlprazolam- Bhatti JZ, Hindmarch I. Vinpocetine effects on cognitive impairments produced by flunitrazepam. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;2:325-31.