Kava Interactions: Medications, Conditions, and Who Should Skip It

Updated October 2026

Kava is a natural product, but natural isn't the same as harmless for everyone. If you take medication or have certain health conditions, check with a doctor or pharmacist before your first shell.

Who should skip kava

• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn't enough safety research, so the standard advice is to avoid it.
• People with liver disease or a history of liver problems.
• Anyone under 18. Many bars set their own age limits too.
• People with Parkinson's disease. Kava may affect dopamine and could worsen symptoms or interfere with treatment.
• Anyone with surgery coming up. Stop kava at least two weeks before, since it can add to the effects of anesthesia.

Medications to ask about

• Sedatives and sleep aids, including benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and some antihistamines. Kava can add to drowsiness.
• Anxiety and depression medications. Ask before combining.
• Medications processed by the liver. Kava can affect liver enzymes that break down many common drugs.
• Parkinson's medications such as levodopa.
• Anything that warns against alcohol. A good rule of thumb is to treat kava with the same caution.

Other substances

Don't combine kava with alcohol. Be careful combining it with kratom, cannabis, or other relaxing substances, since effects can stack. Many bars serve kava and kratom side by side, and mixing them is common, but it's also how people overdo it.

How to ask

Your pharmacist can check your medication list in a minute. Ask: "Is it safe to drink kava, the Pacific root drink, with what I'm taking?"

Next: How to make kava at home. Or find a kava bar near you.