Drug & supplement interaction

Brussels Sprout + Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine

Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine brand name: Cabenuva.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Brussels Sprout has a moderate interaction with Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine. A cabbage and Brussels sprout-containing diet seems to boost elimination through glucuronide conjugation.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Brussels Sprout and Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS

Why this applies to Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine

Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine falls under GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS — the group Brussels Sprout interacts with.

A cabbage and Brussels sprout-containing diet seems to boost elimination through glucuronide conjugation. Theoretically, these foods might also lower levels of other drugs that are metabolized through glucuronide conjugation, including acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and oxazepam (Serax), haloperidol (Haldol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol), zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), and others.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction 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..

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

Here's the connection: your body partly clears cabotegravir through a process called glucuronidation (the same UGT enzyme pathway). Brussels sprouts, especially eaten regularly in large amounts, may gently speed up that pathway. In theory, that could push a bit more of the drug out of your system faster, which would mean slightly lower levels.

The good news for you specifically: Cabenuva is given as a long-acting injection by your clinic, not a daily pill you control with food. That dosing makes a vegetable in your diet very unlikely to meaningfully lower your HIV coverage. This is mostly theoretical, and normal food amounts of Brussels sprouts are fine. Keep enjoying them, but if you plan high-dose supplement extracts, just run it by your HIV pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Pantuck EJ, Pantuck CB, Anderson KE, et al. Effect of brussels sprouts and cabbage on drug conjugation. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1984;35:161-9. 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

Brussels Sprout Also Interacts With Other Medications

Brussels Sprout has 240 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Brussels Sprout

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine

This page covers Brussels Sprout only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine page lists 134 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major), Ephedra (major) and Grapefruit (major).

By severity: 7 major · 98 moderate · 29 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine page

“Cabenuva, the long-acting injection of cabotegravir and rilpivirine given every month or two, keeps HIV suppressed only while its blood levels hold steady, so the 134 supplement interactions on file here deserve real vigilance. St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Brussels Sprout and Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine 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 Brussels Sprout
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine
Top 10%

#258 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 Brussels Sprout

What is Brussels Sprout?

  • General nutrition and fiber
  • Antioxidant support
  • Digestive health
  • Heart health support
  • Cancer-prevention interest

Brussels sprouts are a nutritious cruciferous vegetable rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and plant compounds called glucosinolates. Eating them as part of a balanced diet is healthy and safe for most people, but supplement-style claims (like preventing cancer) are not well proven. If you take blood thinners or have thyroid concerns, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about your intake.

Read the full Brussels Sprout monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Injections

What Is Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Injections Used For?

Brand name: Cabenuva

CABENUVA (cabotegravir + rilpivirine) is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who weigh at least 35 kg (about 77 lbs). It is not a starter treatment — it's designed for people who are already virologically suppressed, meaning their HIV is currently undetectable on a stable daily pill regimen and who have no history of treatment failure.

The goal is to keep the virus fully suppressed while freeing the person from taking a pill every day. Because it stays active in the body for weeks after each injection, strict adherence to the injection schedule is essential.

See full Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Injections drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Brussels Sprout

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

0Major
240Moderate
0Minor
2,589No known interaction
Moderate

240 interactions

Showing 60 of 240 moderate interactions — see all 240 on the Brussels Sprout page.

No interaction 2,589 drugs checked — show the 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

Keep exploring
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Brussels Sprout and Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Brussels Sprout with Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine?
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.
How serious is the Brussels Sprout and Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine 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 Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine and Brussels Sprout?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.