Drug & supplement interaction

Black Pepper + Acetaminophen, Meperidine

Acetaminophen, Meperidine brand name: Demerol APAP.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls into 2 drug categories that Black Pepper can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Black Pepper and Acetaminophen, Meperidine

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Black Pepper interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Black Pepper in 2 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 2

Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Meperidine

Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Black Pepper interacts with.

Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research suggests that some constituents of black pepper inhibit CYP2D6. This has not been reported in humans.
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

This combination pill pairs meperidine (Demerol), an opioid pain reliever, with acetaminophen. The meperidine part is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. In test-tube studies, piperine (the active compound in black pepper) seems to slow that enzyme down a bit. If that happened in people, more meperidine could linger in your system, which might mean stronger effects like extra drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, or slowed breathing.

Here's the reassuring part: this is theoretical and has not been shown in actual humans. The black pepper you sprinkle on food is almost certainly fine. Concentrated piperine supplements are where I'd be a little more careful. If you take one regularly, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Subehan, Usia, T., Kadota, S., and Tezuka, Y. Mechanism-based inhibition of human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) by alkamides of Piper nigrum. Planta Med 2006;72(6):527-532.
  2. Usia, T., Iwata, H., Hiratsuka, A., Watabe, T., Kadota, S., and Tezuka, Y. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitory activities of Indonesian medicinal plants. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(1-2):67-73. PubMed
  3. Subehan, Usia, T., Iwata, H., Kadota, S., and Tezuka, Y. Mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 by Indonesian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 5-24-2006;105(3):449-455. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Acetaminophen, Meperidine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, black pepper might decrease levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research suggests that black pepper induces CYP1A2. This has not been reported in humans.
Severity Minor 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 situation with the piperine in black pepper and your Demerol APAP (a combo of meperidine, a pain reliever, plus acetaminophen). Some early lab research hints that black pepper might speed up a liver enzyme called CYP1A2, which helps process certain medicines. If that happened, your body could clear the drug a little faster, which in theory means slightly weaker pain relief. The honest part is that this is only test-tube and animal data and has never been seen in actual people.

The amount of pepper you sprinkle on dinner is no concern at all. Even concentrated piperine supplements are rated a minor, possible interaction here. Still, if your pain isn't controlled, mention it to your pharmacist or doctor rather than changing anything on your own.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. PubMed

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

Black Pepper Also Interacts With Other Medications

Black Pepper has 975 moderate, 43 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Meperidine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 975 Minor 43 No known interaction 1,812 (incl. Acetaminophen, Meperidine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Black Pepper

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Black Pepper. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Black Pepper or Acetaminophen, Meperidine

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Black Pepper or Acetaminophen, Meperidine, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Meperidine

This page covers Black Pepper only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Meperidine page lists 250 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) (major).

By severity: 10 major · 199 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Meperidine page

“Demerol APAP pairs meperidine, an opioid painkiller, with acetaminophen, and that combination earns real caution with the 250 supplement entries below. Ten carry a major rating, and most of the danger runs through a single theme: anything else that quiets the brain.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Acetaminophen, Meperidine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Black Pepper as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 5,528 real supplement products containing Black Pepper, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Black Pepper. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Meperidine too, on top of Black Pepper — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Black Pepper and Acetaminophen, Meperidine 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 Black Pepper
Top 5%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Meperidine
Top half

#946 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 Black Pepper

What is Black Pepper?

Black Pepper
  • Flavoring and culinary use
  • Digestive complaints like bloating and indigestion
  • Boosting absorption of other supplements
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support
  • Cold and congestion remedies

Black pepper is a common kitchen spice that is generally safe in the amounts used in food. Its extract, piperine, is mostly added to supplements to help the body absorb other ingredients (like curcumin from turmeric). Strong human evidence for black pepper treating specific health conditions is limited, so use supplement-strength products with care and check with your pharmacist.

Read the full Black Pepper monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Black Pepper

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Black Pepper — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
975Moderate
43Minor
1,811No known interaction
975 Moderate 43 Minor 1,811 No interaction
Moderate

975 interactions

Showing 60 of 975 moderate interactions — see all 975 on the Black Pepper page.

Minor

43 interactions

No interaction 1,811 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Black Pepper against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,811 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Black Pepper list.

See the full Black Pepper interactions page
See every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Meperidine, ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Black Pepper monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Acetaminophen, Meperidine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Meperidine, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Black Pepper and Acetaminophen, Meperidine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Black Pepper with Acetaminophen, Meperidine?
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 2 interactions listed for Black Pepper and Acetaminophen, Meperidine?
Acetaminophen, Meperidine belongs to more than one drug category, and Black Pepper 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 Black Pepper and Acetaminophen, Meperidine 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

Still Have a Question About Acetaminophen, Meperidine and Black Pepper?

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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.