Bacopa + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine brand name: Vicks NyQuil.
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 3 drug categories that Bacopa can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportBacopa and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Bacopa interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Bacopa in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Bacopa interacts with.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP1A2 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence shows that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP1A2, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Here's the gist for your NyQuil combo. Bacopa might slow down a liver enzyme called CYP1A2 in lab dishes, and that same enzyme plays a part in clearing some medicines from your body. If it were slowed, certain ingredients could linger a bit longer. With this product, that could in theory mean a little more drowsiness or grogginess from the doxylamine and dextromethorphan, or a touch more dry mouth.
But honestly, I wouldn't lose sleep over this one. The evidence comes only from test-tube studies, and even those results disagree with each other. NyQuil is also usually a short-term, occasional medicine. If you take bacopa daily and want peace of mind, just run it by your pharmacist before doubling up.
- Kar A, Pandit S, Mukherjee K, Bahadur S, Mukherjee PK. Safety assessment of selected medicinal food plants used in Ayurveda through CYP450 enzyme inhibition study. J Sci Food Agric 2017;97(1):333-40. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7739. PubMed
- Ramasamy S, Kiew LV, Chung LY. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and constituents. Molecules 2014;19(2):2588-601. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP3A4 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and competitively inhibit CYP3A4, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Here's the gist with NyQuil and bacopa. A couple of the ingredients in this combo product, especially dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant), are partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab dishes, bacopa has shown a mild ability to slow that enzyme down. In theory, that could let a little more of the drug build up, which might mean stronger drowsiness, dizziness, or that foggy, sedated feeling. The doxylamine in NyQuil already makes you sleepy, so any add-on effect would lean that direction.
That said, this is theoretical and based only on test-tube and animal data, with conflicting results, so a real problem is unlikely for occasional cold-medicine use. Still, if you take bacopa regularly, mention it to your pharmacist before reaching for NyQuil.
- Kar A, Pandit S, Mukherjee K, Bahadur S, Mukherjee PK. Safety assessment of selected medicinal food plants used in Ayurveda through CYP450 enzyme inhibition study. J Sci Food Agric 2017;97(1):333-40. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7739. PubMed
- Ramasamy S, Kiew LV, Chung LY. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and constituents. Molecules 2014;19(2):2588-601. PubMed
ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS
3 of 3Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS.
Bacopa seems to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels, which could counteract the effects of anticholinergic drugs. Similarly, anticholinergic drugs might counteract the cholinergic effects of bacopa.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
If you're reaching for NyQuil, the piece to focus on here is the doxylamine, the antihistamine that makes you drowsy and helps dry up a runny nose. Doxylamine works partly by blocking acetylcholine, one of the brain's chemical messengers. Bacopa is thought to do the opposite, gently raising acetylcholine levels. So in theory, the two could partly cancel each other out, meaning the doxylamine might not knock you out or dry you up quite as well.
I want to be honest though: this is a theoretical concern based on how each works in the lab, not something proven in real people. The acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine in NyQuil aren't really involved here. For occasional cold-and-flu use, it's unlikely to cause trouble, but if you take bacopa daily, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist.
- Morgan A, Stevens J. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16:753-9.
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
- ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
- UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
- AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
- BCase-control study.
- CConsensus.
- DAnecdotal evidence.
These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
Bacopa Also Interacts With Other Medications
Bacopa has 916 moderate, 13 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Bacopa
We haven’t checked that one against Bacopa yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Bacopa. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
This page covers Bacopa only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine page lists 286 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Ephedra (major) and Grapefruit (major).
By severity: 14 major · 227 moderate · 45 minor.
Open the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction page
Taking Bacopa as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 1,420 real supplement products containing Bacopa, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bacopa. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine too, on top of Bacopa — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Bacopa and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine Sit Against Everything Else
Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.
#137 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#943 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.
About Bacopa
What is Bacopa?
- Memory and cognitive support
- Anxiety and stress
- ADHD symptoms
- Age-related memory decline
- General brain health
Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb most often used for memory and thinking. Some small studies suggest it may modestly help memory when taken regularly for several weeks, but the evidence is limited and quality varies. It is generally well tolerated but can cause stomach upset, and it should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Other Drugs & Bacopa
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Bacopa — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
916 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Glycopyrrolate ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Ipratropium ›
- Miconazole ›
- Procainamide ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Dimenhydrinate ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Meloxicam ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Pilocarpine ›
- Procyclidine ›
- Rifampin ›
Showing 60 of 916 moderate interactions — see all 916 on the Bacopa page.
13 interactions
No interaction 1,900 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Bacopa against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Methylphenidate ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Aspirin ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Bupropion ›
- Metformin ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Levodopa ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Codeine Sulfate ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Bentoquatam ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,900 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Bacopa list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Bacopa — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Bacopa and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Bacopa with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Bacopa and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
How serious is the Bacopa and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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