Cannabidiol (cbd) + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine brand name: Vicks NyQuil.
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 5 drug categories that Cannabidiol (cbd) can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, cannabidiol might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Read the full interaction reportCannabidiol (cbd) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
These two interact in 5 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 5 Interactions?
Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls into 5 of those categories, so it can interact with Cannabidiol (cbd) in 5 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES
1 of 5Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with.
In vitro research shows that cannabidiol inhibits CYP2D6. Theoretically, concomitant use of cannabidiol with CYP2D6 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects from these substrates. However, a clinical crossover trial in healthy adults shows that cannabidiol does not inhibit dextromethorphan, a substrate of CYP2D6.
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 deal with NyQuil and CBD. One ingredient in NyQuil, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, is broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. In lab studies, CBD can slow that enzyme down, and in theory that could let dextromethorphan build up, possibly bringing more drowsiness, dizziness, or feeling foggy. The good news is that this is mostly a paper concern. An actual study in healthy people found CBD did not meaningfully block dextromethorphan, so the real-world risk looks low.
NyQuil already makes most people sleepy thanks to the doxylamine, and CBD can add to that drowsy feeling, so don't drive until you know how the combo affects you. If you use CBD regularly, just give your pharmacist a heads-up before reaching for a cold medicine.
- Yamaori S, Okamoto Y, Yamamoto I, Watanabe K. Cannabidiol, a major phytocannabinoid, as a potent atypical inhibitor for CYP2D6. Drug Metab Dispos 2011;39(11):2049-56. PubMed
- Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Perez-Paramo YX, Lazarus P. Cannabinoid Metabolites as Inhibitors of Major Hepatic CYP450 Enzymes, with Implications for Cannabis-Drug Interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2021;49(12):1070-1080. PubMed
- Bansal S, Zamarripa CA, Spindle TR, et al. Evaluation of Cytochrome P450-Mediated Cannabinoid-Drug Interactions in Healthy Adult Participants. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023.
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
2 of 5Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that cannabidiol inhibits CYP1A2. Furthermore, clinical studies show that cannabidiol may inhibit the metabolism of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate. Two pharmacokinetic studies in healthy adults show that taking cannabidiol dosed 640 mg once up to 750 twice daily increases the area under the curve of caffeine. However, results are mixed over whether cannabidiol impacts peak serum levels of caffeine.
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..
NyQuil is a combo product, and CBD's effect here works through one liver enzyme called CYP1A2. Of the ingredients in NyQuil, this enzyme matters most for acetaminophen (Tylenol). CBD can slow that enzyme down, so in theory acetaminophen could clear a bit more slowly and hang around at slightly higher levels. The bigger picture, though, is overlap: CBD and the doxylamine in NyQuil can both make you sleepy, so together they may leave you more drowsy, dizzy, or foggy than expected.
For most people taking occasional NyQuil this isn't a major worry, but acetaminophen is hard on the liver in large or repeated doses, so don't double up. If you use CBD regularly, run it past your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Yamaori S, Kushihara M, Yamamoto I, Watanabe K. Characterization of major phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol and cannabinol, as isoform-selective potent inhibitors of human CYP1 enzymes. Biochem Pharmacol 2010;79(11):1691-8.
- Thai C, Tayo B, Critchley D. A Phase 1 Open-Label, Fixed-Sequence Pharmacokinetic Drug Interaction Trial to Investigate the Effect of Cannabidiol on the CYP1A2 Probe Caffeine in Healthy Subjects. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2021. PubMed
- Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Perez-Paramo YX, Lazarus P. Cannabinoid Metabolites as Inhibitors of Major Hepatic CYP450 Enzymes, with Implications for Cannabis-Drug Interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2021;49(12):1070-1080. PubMed
- Bansal S, Zamarripa CA, Spindle TR, et al. Evaluation of Cytochrome P450-Mediated Cannabinoid-Drug Interactions in Healthy Adult Participants. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023.
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 5Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro and animal research shows that cannabidiol inhibits CYP3A4. In human studies and case reports, cannabidiol has been associated with an increase in plasma levels of the CYP3A4 substrates zonisamide, tacrolimus, everolimus, citalopram, midazolam, and methadone.
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..
NyQuil is really a combo product, and one of its ingredients, dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant), leans on the CYP3A4 pathway to be broken down. Since CBD can slow down CYP3A4, taking it alongside NyQuil could let dextromethorphan build up a bit more than usual. In practice that might mean feeling more drowsy, dizzy, or foggy than you'd expect, especially layered on top of the doxylamine that's already in there to make you sleepy.
None of this is an emergency for a healthy adult taking NyQuil for a few nights, but it's worth a heads-up if you use CBD regularly or take other medicines. Please run it by your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, rather than changing anything on your own.
- Yamaori S, Ebisawa J, Okushima Y, et al. Potent inhibition of human cytochrome P450 3A isoforms by cannabidiol: role of phenolic hydroxyl groups in the resorcinol moiety. Life Sci 2011;88(15-16):730-6. PubMed
- Harvey DJ. Absorption, distribution, and biotransformation of the cannabinoids. Marijuana and Medicine. 1999;91-103. DOI
- Bornheim LM, Everhart ET, Li J, Correia MA. Characterization of cannabidiol-mediated cytochrome P450 inactivation. Biochem Pharmacol 1993;45(6):1323-31. PubMed
- Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP; UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. PubMed
- Leino AD, Emoto C, Fukuda T, Privitera M, Vinks AA, Alloway RR. Evidence of a clinically significant drug-drug interaction between cannabidiol and tacrolimus. Am J Transplant. 2019;19(10):2944-2948. PubMed
- Wiemer-Kruel A, Stiller B, Bast T. Cannabidiol Interacts Significantly with Everolimus-Report of a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Neuropediatrics. 2019. PubMed
- Madden K, Tanco K, Bruera E. Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interaction Between Methadone and Cannabidiol. Pediatrics. 2020;e20193256. PubMed
- Anderson LL, Doohan PT, Oldfield L, et al. Citalopram and Cannabidiol: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence of Pharmacokinetic Interactions Relevant to the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Young People. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2021. PubMed
- Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Perez-Paramo YX, Lazarus P. Cannabinoid Metabolites as Inhibitors of Major Hepatic CYP450 Enzymes, with Implications for Cannabis-Drug Interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2021;49(12):1070-1080. PubMed
- Treyer A, Reinhardt JK, Eigenmann DE, Oufir M, Hamburger M. Phytochemical comparison of medicinal cannabis extracts and study of their CYP-mediated interactions with coumarinic oral anticoagulants. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2023;6(1):21-31. PubMed
- Bansal S, Zamarripa CA, Spindle TR, et al. Evaluation of Cytochrome P450-Mediated Cannabinoid-Drug Interactions in Healthy Adult Participants. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023.
GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS
4 of 5Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under GLUCURONIDATED DRUGS.
In vitro research shows that cannabidiol inhibits uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A9 and UGT2B7, enzymes responsible for glucuronidation. Theoretically, this could decrease the clearance and increase levels of glucuronidated drugs.
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.
NyQuil is a combination product, and one of its ingredients, acetaminophen (Tylenol), is partly cleared from your body through a process called glucuronidation. In lab studies, CBD has been shown to slow down some of the enzymes that handle this step. The idea is that CBD could let a bit more acetaminophen linger in your system, which in theory might add to the strain on your liver over time.
Here's the honest part: this is based only on test-tube research, not real people, so we don't know how much it actually matters in everyday life. A dose or two of NyQuil is unlikely to be a big deal. The main thing I'd watch is total acetaminophen from all sources, since that's the real liver concern. If you use CBD regularly or take NyQuil for more than a few days, check in with your pharmacist first.
- Epidiolex (cannabidiol) prescribing information. Greenwich Biosciences, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, 2019. Available at: https://www.epidiolex.com/sites/default/files/EPIDIOLEX_Full_Prescribing_Information.pdf (accessed 5/9/2019)
CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES
5 of 5Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that cannabidiol inhibits CYP2E1. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
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.
NyQuil is a combination product, and the piece that matters here is the acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP2E1. Lab studies suggest CBD may block that enzyme a little. In theory, slowing it down could let a small amount of acetaminophen shift toward a byproduct that is harder on the liver, especially at higher doses or with alcohol.
Here is the honest part: this is only seen in test-tube research, not in real people, so I would not lose sleep over an occasional dose of NyQuil with CBD. The bigger everyday concern is simply not doubling up on acetaminophen from several products at once. If you use CBD regularly or take more than the recommended NyQuil dose, check in with your pharmacist first.
- Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Perez-Paramo YX, Lazarus P. Cannabinoid Metabolites as Inhibitors of Major Hepatic CYP450 Enzymes, with Implications for Cannabis-Drug Interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2021;49(12):1070-1080. PubMed
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.
Cannabidiol (cbd) Also Interacts With Other Medications
Cannabidiol (cbd) has 1,050 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.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Cannabidiol (cbd)
We haven’t checked that one against Cannabidiol (cbd) yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd). Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine
This page covers Cannabidiol (cbd) 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
Where Cannabidiol (cbd) 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.
#526 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#746 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 Cannabidiol (cbd)
What is Cannabidiol (cbd)?
- Anxiety and stress
- Sleep problems
- Chronic pain
- Certain seizure disorders
- Inflammation
CBD is a compound from the cannabis (hemp) plant that does not cause a 'high.' It has strong evidence only for certain rare seizure disorders (as a prescription drug), while most other popular uses are still backed by limited or early research. Product quality varies a lot, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take other medicines.
Other Drugs & Cannabidiol (cbd)
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
1,050 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Flurazepam ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Bupropion ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Orphenadrine ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Apomorphine ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Nitrazepam ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Griseofulvin ›
- Ivabradine ›
Showing 60 of 1,050 moderate interactions — see all 1,050 on the Cannabidiol (cbd) page.
No interaction 1,779 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Cannabidiol (cbd) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Aspirin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Docusate ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Mannitol ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Levodopa ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Atenolol ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Casanthranol, Docusate ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Birth Control Pills ›
- Insulin Human, Sodium Chloride ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Tocainide ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,779 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cannabidiol (cbd) 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 Cannabidiol (cbd) — 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 Cannabidiol (cbd) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Cannabidiol (cbd) with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
Why are there 5 interactions listed for Cannabidiol (cbd) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine?
How serious is the Cannabidiol (cbd) and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine and Cannabidiol (cbd)?
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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.