NutriStack
CautionEmerging evidence
What is happening. Ashwagandha may be sedating and can compound phenobarbital CNS depression.
Mechanism. Additive sedative effects.
Recommendation. Avoid during titration or if sedation is present.
Supplement × Prescription·a caution·Emerging evidence
Ashwagandha + Phenobarbital
Caution
Emerging evidence
Ashwagandha may be sedating and can compound phenobarbital CNS depression.
From the database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, and the recommendation.
Substances
Pair type
Caution
Evidence
Emerging
Source citations
1
Scope
Supplement × Prescription
Last verified
June 4, 2026
Stack Score
How it moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Ashwagandha and Phenobarbital are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are at /methodology/stack-score.
Sources
Sources, by evidence tier.
Every claim on this page is cited. PMIDs link straight to PubMed.
Reference material
1- 1U.S. National Library of Medicine. Phenobarbital tablets US Prescribing Information. 2025.Needs sourceNo link
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example.
Drop your supplements and prescriptions into NutriStack and it runs every pair at once: every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, each linked to its primary source.