Drug & supplement interaction

Fever Bark + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr brand name: Vicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief.

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

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr falls into 2 drug categories that Fever Bark can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, fever bark might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.

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

Fever Bark and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr

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

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Fever Bark interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Fever Bark 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, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Fever Bark interacts with.

Theoretically, fever bark might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that yohimbine, a constituent of fever bark, inhibits CYP2D6 enzyme activity. The effects of fever bark itself are unclear.
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 cold and flu combo has three active ingredients, and one of them, dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant), is cleared by an enzyme called CYP2D6. Fever bark contains a yohimbine-like compound that, in lab studies only, appears to slow that enzyme down. If that held true in people, dextromethorphan could build up and lead to more drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, or feeling confused or jittery. The chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) already causes sleepiness, so the combo could add to that.

I want to be honest though: this is theoretical, based on test-tube work, not real patients, so the actual risk is unclear. Fever bark itself isn't something I'd recommend in general. Run it by your pharmacist or doctor before combining the two.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. VandenBrink, B. M., Foti, R. S., Rock, D. A., Wienkers, L. C., and Wahlstrom, J. L. Prediction of CYP2D6 drug interactions from in vitro data: evidence for substrate-dependent inhibition. Drug Metab Dispos. 2012;40(1):47-53. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS

2 of 2

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS.

Theoretically, CYP2D6 inhibitors might increase the levels and clinical effects of yohimbine, a constituent of fever bark.
In vitro and clinical research shows that the fever bark constituent, yohimbine, is metabolized by CYP2D6 isoenzymes.
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 is the twist with this combo. Your cold medicine isn't the thing that builds up. The concern runs the other way. One ingredient in this product, dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant), can gently block a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. That same enzyme is what your body uses to clear yohimbine, an alkaloid found in fever bark.

So if you took fever bark alongside this medicine, the yohimbine could hang around longer and hit harder. That can mean a racing heart, jitteriness, anxiety, and higher blood pressure. Honestly, this is mostly a theoretical concern based on how the chemistry works, not strong human studies. But since fever bark is risky on its own, I'd skip it and check with your pharmacist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Le Corre P, Parmer RJ, Kailasam MT, et al. Human sympathetic activation by alpha2-adrenergic blockade with yohimbine: Bimodal, epistatic influence of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;76(2):139-53.
  2. Mueller-Schoell A, Michelet R, Weinelt F, Kloft C, Mikus G. CYP2D6 phenotype explains reported yohimbine concentrations in four severe acute intoxications. Arch Toxicol. 2021. PubMed
  3. Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9. 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

Fever Bark Also Interacts With Other Medications

Fever Bark has 40 major, 673 moderate, 87 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 40 Moderate 673 Minor 87 No known interaction 2,030 (incl. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Fever Bark

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr

This page covers Fever Bark only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr page lists 275 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), Grapefruit (major) and Henbane (major).

By severity: 10 major · 220 moderate · 45 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr page

“A three-drug cold formula like Vicks Formula 44M (acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan) gives supplements three separate targets, so its interaction list warrants real vigilance, starting with the ten major-rated entries. The dominant patterns track each ingredient.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Fever Bark and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr 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 Fever Bark
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr
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 Fever Bark

What is Fever Bark?

Fever Bark
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Malaria (traditional)
  • Digestive complaints
  • Bitter tonic

Fever bark is the bark of the Australian tree Alstonia constricta, used in traditional medicine for fever, diarrhea, and infections. There is very little reliable human research to support these uses, and the bark contains potent alkaloids that may cause serious side effects. It is best avoided unless used under direct medical supervision.

Read the full Fever Bark monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Fever Bark

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

40Major
673Moderate
87Minor
2,029No known interaction
40 Major 673 Moderate 87 Minor 2,029 No interaction
Major

40 interactions

Moderate

673 interactions

Showing 60 of 673 moderate interactions — see all 673 on the Fever Bark page.

Minor

87 interactions

Showing 60 of 87 minor interactions — see all 87 on the Fever Bark page.

No interaction 2,029 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,029 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fever Bark list.

See the full Fever Bark interactions page
See every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr, 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
Fever Bark monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr, 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 Fever Bark and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr Together: Common Questions

Can you take Fever Bark with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr?
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 Fever Bark and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr?
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr belongs to more than one drug category, and Fever Bark 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 Fever Bark and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HBr 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

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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.