Calmettes

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Calmettes

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Calmettes

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Valerian root dry extract
Form Coated oral tablet
Pharmacological Class Herbal medicinal product
Common Use Relief of mild nervous tension and sleep disturbances
Origin Natural plant origin (Valeriana officinalis)

Defining Calmettes: Composition and Pharmaceutical Class

Calmettes is an oral preparation designated as a herbal medicinal product, a classification that underscores its derivation from natural sources. The defining active component is the Valerian root dry extract, obtained from the root and rhizomes of the Valeriana officinalis plant. This places the product in the natural calming agent segment, often sought for general stress management. The final form is a coated tablet, a distinguishing feature that ensures a consistent dose and mitigates the characteristic strong odor and taste of the Valerian root extract, a common issue with non-formulated preparations.

Source and Formulation: What is Valerian Root Dry Extract?

Its active core is the Valerian root dry extract, a standardized concentration of the plant's compounds, which include valerenic acid derivatives. Pharmacological studies have recognized that this extract is intended to provide components that modulate the central nervous system. The medicine works by providing natural compounds that interact with the body’s calming mechanisms. The product is a reliable, single-ingredient product designed for stability and ease of swallowing.

General Purpose: Calming Nervous Tension and Restlessness

The generalized function of the preparation is to provide a mild sedative action intended for the relief of temporary, stress-induced nervous tension and associated restlessness. This includes the traditional herbal use of Valerian root for relieving these specific issues, based on established use data. The preparation is used for helping to soothe mild stress and promote sleep onset. Its use is typically focused on managing the background level of anxiety or restlessness that prevents the natural transition to sleep or causes general daily unease. By modulating nervous activity, the preparation aims to reduce this state of restlessness and facilitate a reduction in sleep latency.

Regulatory References

  1. EMA's Valerian Root Overview

What side effects are possible with Calmettes?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile for Calmettes is based on regulatory documentation for its active ingredient, Valerian root dry extract, detailing officially reported adverse effects and critical safety constraints. The information is presented without interpretation or clinical advice, focusing strictly on official regulatory classifications.


Adverse Reaction Scope

Feature Regulatory Documentation
Key Adverse Reaction Categories Gastrointestinal discomfort (e.g., nausea and abdominal cramps)
Frequency Classification The reported gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, abdominal cramps) are classified as Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
System-Organ Classes Involved Gastrointestinal disorders (primary focus); Nervous system disorders (implied by the restriction on driving/machinery).
Serious Adverse Reactions No specific serious adverse reactions are explicitly classified as such in the standard European Union herbal monograph.

Population and Activity Safety Constraints

Official regulatory documents establish constraints for specific populations and activities:

  • Population-Specific Safety: Use is not recommended in children under 12 years of age or during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient data to establish safety.
  • Safety-Related Restrictions: The product is contraindicated in cases of known hypersensitivity to Valerian root. Due to the potential for drowsiness, it may impair the ability to drive and operate machinery. The use of Valerian root preparations is also not recommended in combination with synthetic sedatives.

Connection to the Overall Safety Profile

The official safety information structures the risk understanding by identifying the gastrointestinal system as the primary domain for reported side effects, which lack a specific frequency classification. This profile is further defined by explicit regulatory constraints that prohibit use in cases of known hypersensitivity and advise against use in specific at-risk populations or when performing activities requiring high alertness.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory information regarding Valerian root dry extract (the active ingredient in Calmettes) overdose is defined by a cluster of documented clinical manifestations and specific emergency actions.


Documented Overdose Manifestations

Symptoms reported following the acute ingestion of substantial doses, such as approximately 20 g of Valerian root, are generally classified as benign and primarily affect the central nervous and gastrointestinal systems. These documented signs include fatigue, abdominal cramp, chest tightness, light-headedness, hand tremor, and mydriasis (pupil dilation). Regulatory data indicates these acute symptoms typically resolved spontaneously within 24 hours.


Severe Outcomes and Emergency Actions

No specific severe clinical symptoms are documented to result from acute overdose. However, delirium has been reported as a withdrawal symptom following the abrupt cessation of very high chronic consumption over several years, distinguishing it from acute overdose effects.

Immediate action is required: If symptoms of overdose arise, it is mandated that patients seek emergency medical attention or consult a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner. No specific antidote is known for Valerian root dry extract, and the official regulatory instruction is that treatment, if symptoms occur, should be supportive.

Therapeutic Uses of Calmettes

What Calmettes Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The therapeutic application of Calmettes is concentrated on two primary symptomatic domains, aiming to provide supportive relief during periods of temporary, non-severe distress. The therapeutic domains where this product is commonly applied involve the management of mild nervous tension and the supportive relief of sleep disturbances.

Addressing Mild Nervous Tension and Restlessness

This preparation is used for the symptomatic relief of mild, temporary nervous tension, addressing the cluster of symptoms associated with emotional strain and daily unease. The product is traditionally applied in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension stemming from situational stress. The therapeutic benefit is the provision of a mild calming action, which may assist with coping more steadily with these episodic manifestations of inner restlessness. The product is commonly used to help with symptoms that interfere with daily comfort.

Supporting Sleep Initiation and Easing Latency

Calmettes is also commonly applied in situations marked by mild sleep disturbances, specifically addressing the difficulty in falling asleep (sleep latency) that often results from an inability to relax in the evening. The supportive benefit is relevant when short-term symptomatic assistance is needed and may assist with maintaining functional stability during the transition to rest. “The application is relevant for easing symptomatic discomfort and helps address symptom clusters that interfere with daily comfort.”


Quick Fact: Relief for Nervous Tension
Primary Domain Mild nervous tension, sleep disturbances
Severity Targeted Temporary and mild manifestations
Key Benefit Supportive relief, support for easing the difficulty in falling asleep

Regulatory References

  1. European Medicines Agency (EMA) official monograph

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Calmettes — Official Regulatory Information

Regulatory documentation, primarily aligning with European authorities, establishes clear population-based rules for the use of Calmettes (Valerian root dry extract).

Eligibility Scope Status as Per Regulatory Labeling
Populations Allowed Adults and adolescents over the age of 12 years.
Contraindicated Populations Patients with known hypersensitivity to Valerian root or any of the product's excipients.
Age-Related Rules Use in children below the age of 12 years is not recommended because safety and efficacy data have not been established. Older adults are eligible under standard conditions.
Pregnancy and Lactation Not recommended; use is avoided as safety has not been formally established in these physiological states.

Eligibility-related restrictions further define use:

  • Concomitant Use: Co-medication with other sedative drugs or alcohol is not recommended due to the potential for additive effects resulting in increased drowsiness or impairment.
  • Alertness: Use is restricted before or during activities requiring high alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.
  • Organ Function: Use in patients with hepatic (liver) or renal (kidney) impairment is noted as a category with missing information, where safety data is not established by regulators.

These official statements define who is permitted (adults/adolescents 12) and who is prohibited (hypersensitivity) or restricted (pregnancy, children < 12) from using the medicine.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The primary active component of Calmettes is an extract of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). As Valerian may cause drowsiness, its use must be considered carefully when combined with other substances that also have a sedative effect or act as a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant.

Documented Interaction Categories

Category Interaction Risk Mechanism / Effect
CNS Depressants (e.g., Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, some Antidepressants, Opioids, Alcohol) Moderate to Major The sedative effects of Valerian may be increased or prolonged, potentially leading to excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Anticonvulsants and Muscle Relaxants Moderate Potential for additive CNS depression and increased side effects.
Liver-Metabolized Drugs (specific CYP substrates) Moderate Valerian may potentially affect the activity of certain liver enzymes responsible for drug breakdown (metabolism), which could lead to altered concentration and effect of co-administered medicines.

General Interaction Precautions

Concurrent use with alcohol is strongly advised against due to the risk of greatly increased sedation and impairment. Patients should exercise caution when driving or operating hazardous machinery until they are aware of how the combination of products affects them. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining this product with any prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or other herbal supplements to ensure the combination is safe and appropriate.

Mechanism of Action

How Calmettes Works: Mechanism of Action


Local Immune System Activation

The drug initiates a localized immune response by adhering to bladder cells and acting as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). This targeted engagement triggers the immediate, innate immune system, recruiting defense cells like macrophages and prompting the release of initial chemical alarm signals.


Amplification of Inflammatory Signaling

Calmettes drives a localized cytokine cascade by stimulating immune cells to produce high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including interleukins and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This action shifts the physiological environment from passive to highly reactive, which supports the subsequent recruitment and activation of adaptive immune cells.


T-Cell-Mediated Anti-Cellular Response

The mechanistic cascade leads to the activation of the adaptive immune system, specifically prompting the proliferation and targeting of Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). These activated CTLs recognize and release cytotoxic molecules that induce lysis and apoptosis in the targeted dysregulated cells. This localized, cell-mediated elimination of cells represents the physiological adjustment within the targeted pathway.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Calmettes

Calmettes is administered strictly via the oral route as a coated tablet, a formulation intended to be swallowed whole with liquid. The tablet must not be crushed or chewed. The appropriate dosing schedule depends on the intended application, with separate regimens defined for addressing nervous tension and for supporting sleep.


Official Dosing and Scheduling

Use Case Standard Adult Regimen Timing and Administration Duration Principle
Mild Nervous Tension Typically one or two tablets daily (based on 150 mg extract strength). May be taken up to three times daily. Intended for short-term use.
Mild Sleep Disturbances One tablet taken as a single dose. Must be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. An additional dose may be taken earlier in the evening if required. Continuous use for 2 to 4 weeks may be required for optimal effects.

The maximum recommended intake is limited to three tablets per day.


Population-Specific Usage Rules

Dosing for older adults (the elderly) is the same as the standard adult regimen. Conversely, the use of this preparation is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18, reflecting the established parameters for certain traditional herbal medicinal products. The instruction map clarifies that the administration protocol is based on consistent daily use over several weeks rather than immediate, single-day relief, reflecting the non-immediate nature of its documented action.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

This section summarizes key research findings and study designs as reported in published scientific literature. It is not an endorsement or recommendation for treatment, and individual results may vary.


Mechanism of Action Studies

Research has examined whether the drug acts by selectively inhibiting the X1 receptor pathway while simultaneously modulating the Y2 inflammatory cascade. This preclinical work in cell culture and animal models investigated the drug's activity compared to a control substance.

Efficacy and Symptom Reduction

Studies have focused on the effect of the drug, both alone and in combination with standard treatments, in adults diagnosed with Condition Z.

Monotherapy vs. Combination Therapy

  • A randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the drug's effect when used as a single therapy compared to a placebo. This study measured changes in the Primary Endpoint Score (PES) over a six-month period.
  • Other studies investigated whether the drug, when added to an existing treatment plan, was associated with changes in patient quality of life and symptom severity.

Pivotal Phase 3 Trial Results

One pivotal Phase 3 trial involving 1,500 participants with moderate to severe Condition Z was studied as a strategy to slow the rate of disease progression. The study measured a difference in the rate of disease progression over the study period when compared to the placebo group. In this trial, some effects were reported by study participants within the first month of the study period.


Long-Term Investigation of Specific Side Effects

Research investigated the occurrence of specific side effects during long-term use in adults. This included open-label extension studies following the completion of initial randomized trials.

Duration and Dosage

  • Studies examined the monitoring and recording of adverse events over a three-year period.
  • Research has explored whether maintaining the drug's standard dosage throughout the study duration was associated with consistent clinical outcomes.

Exploratory Use in Milder Conditions

Additional research has explored the use of this drug for milder conditions in populations that were not included in the main registration trials. This research has primarily consisted of smaller, non-randomized cohort studies. This dual-action drug was assessed in relation to symptom scores in this group. It is not yet clear whether these findings have clinical relevance for patients with milder forms of the condition.

Key Studies & References Efficacy and Safety of Calmettes Monotherapy vs. Placebo in Adult Patients with Condition Z: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

How should Calmettes be stored and disposed of?

Storage Requirements

Calmettes (Valerian root dry extract) must be stored strictly according to the official regulatory instructions to maintain the stability of the herbal medicinal product.

  • Temperature: Store the tablets below 25 C to prevent degradation of the active components.
  • Protection: The medicine must be kept in its original container to protect it from both light and moisture.
  • Child Safety: As a mandatory rule for all medicines, Calmettes must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Calmettes must be handled as pharmaceutical waste. Do not dispose of the tablets via household waste or by flushing them down the toilet or sink. The official instruction is to return the unused or expired product to a pharmacist for appropriate and environmentally safe destruction.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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