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Herbs & Supplements
American Scullcap
Scientific Name: Scullcap
Other Names: Blue Pimpernel, Common Scullcap, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Mad-Dog Weed, Quaker Bonnet, Scutellaria lateriflora, Skullcap
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
No interactions have been reported between American scullcap and prescription drugs. However, because American scullcap may promote sleepiness, it may intensify the effects of drugs that also cause drowsiness. The effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in sedation or mental impairment. Prescription drugs that can cause sleepiness include:
- Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproic acid
- Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
- Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam
- Drugs for insomnia such as Lunesta, Rozerem, zaleplon, and zolpidem
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, and nortriptyline
Non-prescription Drugs
Although no interactions have been reported between American scullcap and non-prescription drugs, the sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter (OTC) products containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine may be enhanced by taking American scullcap at the same time. Diphenhydramine doxylamine are contained in many OTC sleep aids as well as in some cough and cold products. Therefore, taking medications containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine with American scullcap may result in excessive drowsiness.
Herbal Products
American scullcap may cause excessive sedation if taken with other sedating herbs such as:
- Catnip
- Hops
- Kava
- St. John's Wort
- Valerian
Foods
No interactions between American scullcap and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using American scullcap may result in increased drowsiness.
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how American scullcap interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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What interactions should I watch for?
