Safety of Passionflower Extract

The passionflower originated in North America and is now cultivated throughout Europe. Despite its use by herbalists to treat anxiety and narcotic drug withdrawal, passionflower extract poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types of Side Effects

• Possible side effects of passionflower extract include dizziness, confusion, lack of coordination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and increases in heart rate, reports RxList.

Drug Interactions

• Taking passionflower extract with drugs like the anticonvulsant phenytoin, barbiturates, anxiety medications like diazepam, sedatives like zolpidem and tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline may cause excessive drowsiness, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center. When combined with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, passionflower extract increases your risk of developing prolonged or uncontrollable bleeding.

Risks

• Although rare, passionflower extract may cause severe allergic reactions in patients, resulting in shortness of breath, chest pains, hives and swelling of the face and extremities, according to the Physicians' Desktop Reference.

Warning

• Because passionflower extract has the potential to cause drowsiness or dizziness, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the herb affects you, suggests the Physicians' Desktop Reference.

Considerations

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding or are scheduled for surgery within the next two weeks, it may not be safe for you to take passionflower extract, cautions RxList.