NutriStack
Hydrocodone and Valerian Root, a caution.
Hydrocodone can cause sedation and respiratory depression, and valerian root may add CNS-depressant effects through GABAergic activity. Direct hydrocodone-valerian clinical studies are limited, but the combination is clinically relevant because opioid harm rises when additional sedating substances are stacked. Risk is higher with higher opioid doses, sleep apnea, lung disease, older age, alcohol, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, or other sleep aids.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Hydrocodone and Valerian Root
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Emerging evidence
Caution
What is happening. Hydrocodone can cause sedation and respiratory depression, and valerian root may add CNS-depressant effects through GABAergic activity. Direct hydrocodone-valerian clinical studies are limited, but the combination is clinically relevant because opioid harm rises when additional sedating substances are stacked. Risk is higher with higher opioid doses, sleep apnea, lung disease, older age, alcohol, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, or other sleep aids.
Mechanism. Hydrocodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that suppresses brainstem ventilatory drive and reduces arousal responses. Valerian and valerenic acid have GABAergic effects in preclinical models, so overlap can increase sedation and reduce protective arousal while opioid respiratory depression is present.
Recommendation. Do not use valerian root as a sleep aid while taking hydrocodone unless your prescriber knows and agrees. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives, and do not drive after taking both. Seek emergency help for extreme sleepiness, slow or noisy breathing, blue lips, confusion, or inability to wake.
Sources (2)
- Boom M, Niesters M, Sarton E, Aarts L, Smith TW, Dahan A. Non-analgesic effects of opioids: opioid-induced respiratory depression. Curr Pharm Des. 2012;18(37):5994-6004. PMID 22747535
- Yuan CS, Mehendale S, Xiao Y, Aung HH, Xie JT, Ang-Lee MK. The gamma-aminobutyric acidergic effects of valerian and valerenic acid on rat brainstem neuronal activity. Anesth Analg. 2004;98(2):353-358. PMID 14742369
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Hydrocodone and Valerian Root 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 documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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