If you are taking CALMETTES coated tablets, you are using a medicine that is meant to help you feel calmer when you are nervous, stressed, tense, or anxious. It is available in South Africa as a Schedule 0 medicine, which means you can buy it without a doctor’s prescription. Even so, it should still be used carefully and only as directed.
SCHEDULING STATUS: S0
Note: If your symptoms do not improve, you should see a doctor.
What it is and what it is used for
What CALMETTES is
CALMETTES is a white, sugar-coated tablet. The active ingredient is valerian dispert powder, which comes from valerian root.
Valerian is used in this medicine to help you relax when you are feeling nervous or stressed.
What CALMETTES is used for
You may use CALMETTES for relief of:
- Nervous tension
- Anxiety
- Feeling nervous or stressed
- Nervous tension and over-excitement at bedtime
The source does not say that CALMETTES treats severe anxiety, depression, long-term sleep disorders, or any other medical condition.
How it works
The source does not explain exactly how CALMETTES works in the body.
In simple terms, CALMETTES is used to help you relax when you feel tense, nervous, anxious, or over-excited. Some people may use it during the day when needed, while others may use it before bedtime for nervous tension and over-excitement.
The exact action in the body is not specified in the source.
Who should NOT use this medicine
Do not use CALMETTES if you:
- Are allergic to valerian root
- Are allergic to any ingredient in CALMETTES
- Are pregnant, unless your doctor or pharmacist advises you to use it
- Are breastfeeding, unless your doctor or pharmacist advises you to use it
- Are giving it to a child under 12 years of age
You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking CALMETTES if you:
- Have had liver problems before
- Have severe liver disease
- Have been told that you cannot tolerate certain sugars
Warning: Do not share CALMETTES with anyone else, even if they are also feeling stressed or anxious. Their health situation may be different from yours.
Warnings and precautions
Be careful if you use alcohol or calming medicines
CALMETTES may increase the effects of:
- Alcohol
- Sedatives, which are medicines used to help you relax
- Tranquillisers, which are medicines used for anxiety or nervous tension
- Medicines used to help you sleep
This means you may feel more sleepy, dizzy, or less alert than expected.
Warning: Ask your doctor before taking CALMETTES with alcohol, sleeping tablets, sedatives, or tranquillisers.
Liver problems
Take special care with CALMETTES if you have:
- A history of liver dysfunction
- Severe liver disease
The source does not give special dosing instructions for people with liver problems. If this applies to you, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Children and teenagers
CALMETTES is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The source gives a dose for children, but because it also says the medicine is not recommended under 12, you should not give it to a younger child unless a healthcare professional tells you to.
Driving and using machines
CALMETTES may cause side effects that affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that needs full alertness until you know how CALMETTES affects you.
This is especially important if you feel:
- Dizzy
- Faint
- Sleepy
- Less alert than usual
Sugar intolerance
CALMETTES contains sucrose and lactose monohydrate.
Each tablet contains:
- 47,43 mg sucrose
- 7,80 mg lactose monohydrate
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, speak to your doctor before taking CALMETTES.
Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before using CALMETTES.
CALMETTES is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Information about fertility is not specified in the source, apart from the advice to speak to a healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a baby.
Interactions
Other medicines
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicine. This includes:
- Prescription medicines
- Medicines you buy without a prescription
- Complementary medicines
- Traditional medicines
This is important because CALMETTES may increase the effects of medicines that make you calm, sleepy, or relaxed.
These include:
- Sedatives
- Tranquillisers
- Sleeping medicines
Alcohol
CALMETTES may increase the effects of alcohol.
Ask your doctor before taking CALMETTES with alcohol. To stay safe, avoid alcohol unless your doctor has told you it is acceptable for you.
Food and drink
The tablets should be swallowed whole with:
- Water, or
- Milk
The source does not say whether CALMETTES must be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
Medical tests
Interactions with medical tests are not specified in the source.
How to take CALMETTES
Always take CALMETTES exactly as directed in the source, or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
If you are unsure about your dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you feel the medicine is too strong or too weak, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
How to take the tablets
Swallow the tablets whole with water or milk.
Do not crush or chew the tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Adult dose
Adults may take:
- Two or three tablets
- This dose may be repeated up to three times a day if needed
Children’s dose
Children may take:
- One tablet
- This dose may be repeated up to three times a day if needed
Important: CALMETTES is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Bedtime dose for nervous tension and over-excitement
For nervous tension and over-excitement at bedtime:
- Adults may take five tablets
- Children may take two tablets
- Take the dose half an hour before going to bed
The source does not clearly say whether this bedtime dose replaces the daytime dose or is added to it. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much
If you take more CALMETTES than you should, contact:
- Your doctor, or
- Your pharmacist
If they are not available, contact:
- The nearest hospital, or
- A poison centre
Do this even if you are not sure whether you have taken too much.
If you forget a dose
If you forget to take CALMETTES, take it as soon as you remember.
But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Helpful tips for safe use
- Keep CALMETTES in its original packaging.
- Check the expiry date before use.
- Do not share it with another person.
- Be careful if you are also using alcohol, sleeping tablets, sedatives, or tranquillisers.
- Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
- See a doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Dosing table
| Age or situation | Dose | How often | Maximum daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 2 to 3 tablets | Up to 3 times daily if needed | Up to 9 tablets daily, based on 3 tablets taken 3 times daily |
| Children | 1 tablet | Up to 3 times daily if needed | Up to 3 tablets daily |
| Adults at bedtime for nervous tension and over-excitement | 5 tablets | Half an hour before bedtime | Not specified in the source |
| Children at bedtime for nervous tension and over-excitement | 2 tablets | Half an hour before bedtime | Not specified in the source |
Note: CALMETTES is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Possible side effects
CALMETTES can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.
If you feel unwell while taking CALMETTES, or if your general health gets worse, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Common side effects
Common side effects are not specified in the source.
Less common side effects
Less common side effects are not specified in the source.
Side effects with unknown frequency
The source lists the following side effects, but does not say how often they happen:
- Dizziness
You may feel light-headed, unsteady, or less alert. - Depression
You may notice a low mood or a change in how you feel emotionally. - Excessive sweating
You may sweat more than usual.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of these effects.
Serious side effects — get help urgently
Stop taking CALMETTES and get medical help straight away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as:
- Swelling of your hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth, or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Rash
- Itching
- Fainting
Warning: These may be signs of a serious reaction. You may need urgent medical care or hospital treatment.
Reporting side effects in South Africa
If you get side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
You can also report side effects to SAHPRA using the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, which is available online under SAHPRA’s publications.
Reporting side effects helps improve information about medicine safety.
Storage and disposal
How to store CALMETTES
Store CALMETTES:
- At or below 25 °C
- In a dry place
- Out of reach of children
Do not use CALMETTES after the expiry date printed on the carton or blister.
How to dispose of unused tablets
Return unused medicine to your pharmacist.
Do not throw unused tablets into:
- Drains
- Toilets
- Sewerage systems
This helps protect other people and the environment.
What the medicine contains
Active ingredient
The active ingredient is:
- Valerian dispert powder, an extract from the root of Valeriana officinalis
Other ingredients
CALMETTES also contains:
- Anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide
- Beeswax
- Carmellose sodium
- Carnauba wax
- Gum arabic
- Hypromellose
- Lactose monohydrate
- Light magnesium oxide
- Macrogol 4000
- Macrogol 6000
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone
- Shellac
- Sucrose
- Talcum
- Titanium dioxide, also called E171
Sugar content
| Ingredient | Amount in each tablet |
|---|---|
| Sucrose | 47,43 mg |
| Lactose monohydrate | 7,80 mg |
Note: If you have been told that you cannot tolerate some sugars, speak to your doctor before taking CALMETTES.
Pack information and appearance
CALMETTES tablets are:
- White
- Sugar-coated
They are packed in PVC/PVDC/aluminium blister strips inside an outer carton.
CALMETTES may be available in packs of:
- 20 coated tablets
- 60 coated tablets
- 100 coated tablets
Not all pack sizes may be available.
Registration and company information
The registration holder is:
Abbott Laboratories S.A. (Pty) Ltd
Abbott Place
219 Golf Club Terrace
Constantia Kloof, 1709
South Africa
South African registration number:
- F/2.6/60
Namibian registration number:
- 04/2.6/1104
Date of registration:
- 25 February 1974
Date of revision:
- 26 January 2023
Written by: RxZest Editorial Team
Editorial review: Checked for readability, structure, and source alignment
Based on SAHPRA-approved information : CALMETTES
Last updated: [03/05/2026]
Practical FAQs
What is CALMETTES used for?
CALMETTES is used to help you relax if you are nervous or stressed. It is indicated for relief of nervous tension and anxiety.
Can I use CALMETTES before bedtime?
Yes. For nervous tension and over-excitement at bedtime, adults may take five tablets half an hour before going to bed. Children may take two tablets half an hour before going to bed.
Can I drink alcohol while taking CALMETTES?
CALMETTES may increase the effects of alcohol. Ask your doctor before taking it with alcohol.
Can I drive after taking CALMETTES?
Do not drive or use machines until you know how CALMETTES affects you. It may cause side effects that affect your ability to drive safely.
Can I take CALMETTES while pregnant?
CALMETTES is not recommended during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before using it.
Can I take CALMETTES while breastfeeding?
CALMETTES is not recommended during breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before using it.
Can children use CALMETTES?
The source gives a child dose, but it also states that CALMETTES is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Do not give it to a child under 12 unless advised by a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What should I do if I take too much?
Contact your doctor or pharmacist. If they are not available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.
Does CALMETTES contain sugar?
Yes. Each tablet contains sucrose and lactose monohydrate. Speak to your doctor before taking CALMETTES if you have been told that you cannot tolerate certain sugars.
