Kava Kava is used primarily to treat anxiety. It's also used to relieve insomnia and nervousness. Kava Kava may potentially have herb drug interactions with the following medications:
Anticonvulsants - There is some concern that Kava may exaggerate the effects of medications used to treat seizures.
Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants - Kava may enhance the effects of CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines used for sleep disturbances or anxiety, in particular alprazolam, and barbiturates used for sleep disorders and seizures, such as pentobarbital. In fact, there has been one report of a person becoming comatose from the combination of kava and alprazolam. Antipsychotic medications - Kava may increase the risk of unpleasant side effects associated with phenothiazine medications, often used for the treatment of schizophrenia, such as chlorpromazine and promethazine.
Levodopa - There has been at least one report that kava may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. Therefore, it is advised not take this herb if you are taking any medications containing levodopa.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare practitioner before using herbs and medications together.