Drug & supplement interaction

Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine

Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine brand name: Vicks NyQuil.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 3 drug categories that Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, BMPEA might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine

Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) interacts with.

Theoretically, BMPEA might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that BMPEA strongly inhibits CYP2D6.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: NyQuil contains dextromethorphan, the cough suppressant, which your body clears using a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. Lab studies suggest BMPEA can block that enzyme. If it does, dextromethorphan could build up and hit harder, possibly causing drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or a restless, jittery feeling. Keep in mind NyQuil already has sedating doxylamine, while BMPEA is a stimulant, so mixing the two sends mixed, unpredictable signals to your body.

To be fair, this interaction is theoretical, based only on test-tube data, not real people. That said, BMPEA itself is a poorly studied stimulant that can raise heart rate and blood pressure, so I'd steer clear of it overall. Please run this by your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Liu Y, Santillo MF. Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 3A4 enzyme inhibition by amine stimulants in dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):307-10. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, BMPEA might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that BMPEA inhibits CYP3A4 by up to 37%.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist with NyQuil and BMPEA. One of NyQuil's ingredients, dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant), is partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab dish studies, BMPEA slowed that enzyme down by about a third. The worry is that if this enzyme works more slowly, dextromethorphan could build up a bit more than usual, which might mean more drowsiness, dizziness, or a foggy, spaced-out feeling.

I want to be honest though: this is theoretical, based on test-tube data, not real people. The bigger concern in my mind is that BMPEA is a hidden amphetamine-like stimulant, and pairing a stimulant with NyQuil's sedating ingredients is just a rough combination for your heart and blood pressure. I'd skip BMPEA and check with your pharmacist first.

References
  1. Liu Y, Santillo MF. Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 3A4 enzyme inhibition by amine stimulants in dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):307-10. PubMed
Moderate

STIMULANT DRUGS

3 of 3

Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under STIMULANT DRUGS.

Theoretically, taking BMPEA with other stimulant drugs might increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
BMPEA is thought to have stimulant effects, including cardiovascular effects such as hypertension, tachycardia, and cardiac arrest.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

The piece of NyQuil to watch here is the pseudoephedrine, which is itself a stimulant decongestant. It can nudge your heart rate and blood pressure up on its own. BMPEA is chemically close to amphetamine and is also thought to act as a stimulant. Stacking two stimulants together means the effects can pile up.

If you took them at the same time, the worry would be a faster heartbeat, a jump in blood pressure, jitteriness, or palpitations. Keep in mind this is a theoretical concern based on how these compounds behave, not on hard human studies. Even so, BMPEA is best avoided since it can show up unlisted in supplements. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Cohen PA, Bloszies C, Yee C, Gerona R. An amphetamine isomer whose efficacy and safety in humans has never been studied, ß-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), is found in multiple dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2015 Apr 7. PubMed
  2. Brown DH, Hansson R, Oosthuizen F, et al. ß-Methylphenylethylamines: common fragmentation pathways with amphetamines in electrospray ionization collision-induced dissociation. Drug Test Anal 2016;8:344-50.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • 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.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • 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.

Keep it in perspective

Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) Also Interacts With Other Medications

Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) has 812 moderate 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.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea). Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine

This page covers Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) 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

How much people look this up

Where Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) 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.

Supplement Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea)
Steady interest

#838 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
Top 25%

#375 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

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.

Supplement

About Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea)

What is Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea)?

  • Weight loss
  • Pre-workout energy
  • Athletic performance
  • Appetite suppression
  • Mental focus

Beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA) is a synthetic stimulant chemically similar to amphetamine that has been found in some weight-loss and sports supplements, often without being clearly listed on the label. It is not an approved or well-studied dietary ingredient, and regulators have warned that it may carry real cardiovascular risks. Because of safety concerns and the lack of human research, it is best avoided.

Read the full Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
812Moderate
0Minor
2,017No known interaction
Moderate

812 interactions

Showing 60 of 812 moderate interactions — see all 812 on the Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) page.

No interaction 2,017 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,017 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine belongs to more than one drug category, and Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Beta-methylphenethylamine (bmpea) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.