Corydalis Yanhusuo + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine brand name: Colrex.
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls into 3 drug categories that Corydalis Yanhusuo can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Read the full interaction reportCorydalis Yanhusuo and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Corydalis Yanhusuo interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Corydalis Yanhusuo in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CNS DEPRESSANTS
1 of 3Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Corydalis Yanhusuo interacts with.
Corydalis yanhusuo contains berberine. Animal research suggests that berberine may have sedative effects. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might also have CNS depressants effects.
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.
This combination cold and pain product (Colrex) already has two ingredients that can make you drowsy: codeine (an opioid) and chlorpheniramine (a sedating antihistamine). The concern here is fairly simple. Corydalis yanhusuo may have its own calming, sleepy effect on the brain, so stacking it on top of an already drowsy product could leave you feeling more groggy, lightheaded, slowed down, or unsteady than usual.
I'll be honest with you: this is a theoretical worry based on lab and animal research, not strong human studies, so I don't want to alarm you. Still, the safest move is to be cautious about driving or anything risky if you try both, and to check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
- Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
- Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
- Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.
Corydalis yanhusuo contains berberine. In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence show that berberine can inhibit CYP2D6. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might also inhibit 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.
This combination product, sold as Colrex, contains codeine, which is the piece that matters here. Codeine is a prodrug, meaning it does nothing on its own until your body converts it into morphine using a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. The concern with Corydalis yanhusuo is that compounds in it may block, or slow down, that very enzyme.
If CYP2D6 is slowed, less codeine turns into active morphine, so you may get less pain relief and weaker cough control than expected. Keep in mind this is a theoretical concern based mostly on lab work, not strong human studies, so it may not amount to much in real life. Still, before pairing these, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor.
- Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
- Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
- Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 3Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
Corydalis yanhusuo contains berberine. In vitro research and preliminary clinical research show that berberine moderately inhibits CYP3A4. Theoretically, Corydalis yanhusuo might also inhibit CYP3A4.
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.
This combination product (Colrex) packs in four ingredients, and the one to watch here is the codeine. Corydalis may mildly slow down a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, which helps clear codeine and several of these ingredients. If that pathway is slowed, levels could theoretically run a little higher, which might mean more drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, or slowed breathing from the codeine, plus more sleepiness from the chlorpheniramine antihistamine.
Keep in mind this concern is theoretical, based mostly on lab studies of berberine, not strong human evidence. The real-world effect, if any, is likely small. Still, since both can cause sedation, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them, and don't change anything on your own.
- Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
- Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
- Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
- Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. 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.
Corydalis Yanhusuo Also Interacts With Other Medications
Corydalis Yanhusuo has 1,159 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Corydalis Yanhusuo
We haven’t checked that one against Corydalis Yanhusuo yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Corydalis Yanhusuo. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
This page covers Corydalis Yanhusuo only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine page lists 338 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 Ephedra (major).
By severity: 18 major · 275 moderate · 45 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine page
“Someone taking Colrex is usually fighting a miserable cold, and cold season is also when people reach for herbal sleep aids and energy boosters, which is exactly where this list bites hardest. Colrex combines acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, codeine, and phenylephrine, and 18 of its 338 supplement interactions rate major, enough to war…”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Open the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interaction page
Where Corydalis Yanhusuo and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine 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.
#866 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#265 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 Corydalis Yanhusuo
What is Corydalis Yanhusuo?
- Pain relief
- Menstrual cramps
- Headache
- Stress and sleep support
- Stomach and abdominal discomfort
Corydalis yanhusuo is a traditional Chinese herb used mainly for pain. Some early laboratory and animal research suggests its compounds may affect pain and the nervous system, but high-quality human studies are limited, so its true benefits and long-term safety are not well established. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Other Drugs & Corydalis Yanhusuo
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Corydalis Yanhusuo — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
1,159 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Insulin (rdna) ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Guaifenesin ›
- Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Flurazepam ›
- Glyburide ›
- Insulin (pork) ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Hydralazine ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Insulin (human) ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Nitrazepam ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
Showing 60 of 1,159 moderate interactions — see all 1,159 on the Corydalis Yanhusuo page.
No interaction 1,670 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Corydalis Yanhusuo against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Bupropion ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Procainamide ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Digoxin ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Dextrothyroxine ›
- Triptorelin ›
- Lomustine ›
- Tocainide ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Succimer ›
- Rocuronium ›
- Mitomycin C ›
- Paracetamol ›
- Gestodene ›
- Halothane ›
- Chenodiol ›
- Desflurane ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,670 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Corydalis Yanhusuo 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, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Corydalis Yanhusuo — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine nutrient depletion report ›
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 Corydalis Yanhusuo and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Corydalis Yanhusuo with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Corydalis Yanhusuo and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine?
How serious is the Corydalis Yanhusuo and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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