Drug & supplement interaction

Cabbage + Acetaminophen, Meperidine

Acetaminophen, Meperidine brand name: Demerol APAP.

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

Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls into 3 drug categories that Cabbage can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, cabbage might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

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

Cabbage and Acetaminophen, Meperidine

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Cabbage interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Cabbage 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 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Meperidine

Acetaminophen, Meperidine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Cabbage interacts with.

Theoretically, cabbage might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Some animal research suggests that cabbage or its constituent indole-3-carbinol might increase drug metabolism and elimination by stimulating CYP1A2 activity.
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 this combo (Demerol APAP, which pairs meperidine for pain with acetaminophen). Cabbage contains plant compounds that, in lab and animal studies, may speed up a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. In theory, revving that enzyme up could clear these medicines a little faster and make them slightly less effective, so you might notice your pain isn't as well controlled.

Honestly though, this is a very weak, theoretical concern. It's based only on test-tube and animal data, and normal amounts of cabbage on your plate are very unlikely to make a real difference. If you're eating cabbage in large medicinal doses, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on things.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Balk JL. Indole-3-carbinol for cancer prevention. Altern Med Alert 2000; 3:105-7.
  2. He YH, Friesen MD, Ruch RJ, Schut HA. Indole-3-carbinol as a chemopreventive agent in 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) carcinogenesis: inhibition of PhIP-DNA adduct formation, acceleration of PhIP metabolism, and induction of cytoch
  3. Steinkellner, H., Rabot, S., Freywald, C., Nobis, E., Scharf, G., Chabicovsky, M., Knasmuller, S., and Kassie, F. Effects of cruciferous vegetables and their constituents on drug metabolizing enzymes involved in the bioactivation of DNA-reactive dietary c
Moderate

GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS

2 of 3

Acetaminophen, Meperidine also falls under GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS.

Theoretically, cabbage might increase clearance and decrease the effects of drugs metabolized through glucuronide conjugation.
A small clinical study shows that daily consumption of cabbage and Brussels sprout decreases levels of some drugs metabolized through glucuronide conjugation.
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 deal with this combo. Your medication pairs acetaminophen (Tylenol) with meperidine (Demerol), an opioid pain reliever. The acetaminophen part is partly cleared from your body through a process called glucuronidation. Eating a lot of cabbage (and its cruciferous cousins like Brussels sprouts) may speed that clearance up a bit, which could nudge acetaminophen levels down and make the pain relief feel a little weaker.

That said, this is mostly theoretical, based on one small study, so don't lose sleep over it. A serving of cabbage at dinner is very unlikely to matter. Large, daily, concentrated amounts could in theory have a small effect. If your pain control changes, check in with your pharmacist or doctor before adjusting anything.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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
Moderate

ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol, others)

3 of 3
Cabbage might increase clearance and reduce the effects of acetaminophen.
A small clinical study shows that daily consumption of cabbage and Brussels sprout decreases acetaminophen levels by as much as 16%, with some evidence suggesting that this effect is due to increased elimination through glucuronide conjugation.
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 practical takeaway for your Demerol APAP, which pairs meperidine (an opioid pain reliever) with acetaminophen (the same active ingredient as Tylenol). A small clinical study found that eating cabbage and Brussels sprouts daily nudged the body into clearing acetaminophen a bit faster, lowering its levels by up to about 16%. That happens because compounds in cabbage seem to speed up one of the liver pathways (glucuronidation) that processes acetaminophen.

In plain terms, regularly eating a lot of cabbage might make the acetaminophen part work slightly less, so your pain relief could feel a touch weaker. The meperidine portion isn't affected here. This is modest and based on limited evidence, and normal food amounts of cabbage are unlikely to be a big deal. If your pain control changes, talk with your pharmacist or doctor rather than adjusting anything yourself.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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

Cabbage Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cabbage has 324 moderate 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 324 No known interaction 2,506 (incl. Acetaminophen, Meperidine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Cabbage

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Meperidine

This page covers Cabbage 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 Cabbage as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 2,304 real supplement products containing Cabbage, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cabbage. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Meperidine too, on top of Cabbage — 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 Cabbage 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 Cabbage
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Meperidine
Top half

#943 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 Cabbage

What is Cabbage?

Cabbage
  • Breast engorgement during breastfeeding
  • Joint pain and swelling (topical)
  • Digestive and stomach upset
  • General nutrition and antioxidant support
  • Skin and minor inflammation (topical)

Cabbage is a nutritious, low-calorie vegetable that is safe to eat as food and is sometimes applied to the skin as a leaf wrap for breast engorgement or sore joints. Most medicinal claims are based on tradition or limited research, with the strongest (though still modest) evidence being for cooling cabbage leaves on engorged breasts. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using cabbage in large amounts or as a treatment.

Read the full Cabbage monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cabbage

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

0Major
324Moderate
0Minor
2,505No known interaction
324 Moderate 2,505 No interaction
Moderate

324 interactions

Showing 60 of 324 moderate interactions — see all 324 on the Cabbage page.

No interaction 2,505 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,505 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cabbage list.

See the full Cabbage 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
Cabbage 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 Cabbage and Acetaminophen, Meperidine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cabbage 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 3 interactions listed for Cabbage and Acetaminophen, Meperidine?
Acetaminophen, Meperidine belongs to more than one drug category, and Cabbage 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 Cabbage 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 Cabbage?

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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.