Drug
Zolpidem
Common brand names:
Ambien, Ambien CR, Tovalt ODTZolpidem a is hypnotic drug used for short-term treatment of people with insomnia.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Negative Interactions
3- Potential Negative Interaction
Zolpidem
5-HTP
Nine cases of zolpidem-induced hallucinations associated with serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants have been reported, some lasting for several hours. 5-HTP and L-tryptophan are converted to serotonin in the brain, and taking them with zolpidem may increase zolpidem-induced hallucinations, though no interactions have yet been reported with zolpidem and 5-HTP or L-tryptophan.
5-HTPZolpidem- Elko CJ, Burgess JL, Robertson WO. Zolpidem-associated hallucinations and serotonin reuptake inhibition: a possible interaction. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:195-203.
- Potential Negative Interaction
Zolpidem
L-Tryptophan
Nine cases of zolpidem-induced hallucinations associated with serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants have been reported, some lasting for several hours. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) and L-tryptophan are converted to serotonin in the brain, and taking them with zolpidem may increase zolpidem-induced hallucinations, though no interactions have yet been reported with zolpidem and 5-HTP or L-tryptophan.
L-TryptophanZolpidem- Elko CJ, Burgess JL, Robertson WO. Zolpidem-associated hallucinations and serotonin reuptake inhibition: a possible interaction. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:195-203.
- Reduces Effectiveness
Zolpidem
St. John’s Wort
In healthy volunteers, supplementation with St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) along with zolpidem decreased blood levels of zolpidem, apparently by accelerating the metabolism of the drug.St. John’s WortZolpidem- Hojo Y, Echizenya M, Ohkubo T, Shimizu T. Drug interaction between St John's wort and zolpidem in healthy subjects. J Clin Pharm Ther 2011;36:711-5.