Drug & supplement interaction

Panax Ginseng + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate

Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate brand name: Phrenilin #3.

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

Panax Ginseng has a moderate interaction with Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate. Theoretically, Panax ginseng might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.

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

Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate

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

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate

Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Panax Ginseng interacts with.

Theoretically, Panax ginseng might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. However, research is conflicting.
There is some evidence that Panax ginseng can inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme by approximately 6%. In addition, in animal research, Panax ginseng inhibits the metabolism of dextromethorphan, a drug metabolized by CYP2D6, by a small amount. However, contradictory research suggests Panax ginseng might not inhibit CYP2D6. Until more is known, use Panax ginseng cautiously in patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

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 wrinkle with this combo: the codeine in your Phrenilin product is a prodrug. Your body has to convert it through an enzyme called CYP2D6 into morphine, which is what actually relieves pain. So anything that slows that enzyme can mean less pain relief, not more.

The concern on file is that Panax ginseng might block CYP2D6 a little. Honestly though, the evidence is weak and conflicting, and the effect measured was tiny (around 6%). If it matters at all, you might notice your pain medicine feels less effective. The acetaminophen and butalbital pieces aren't really affected here. This is mostly theoretical, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but do mention the ginseng to your pharmacist so they can keep an eye on how well your pain is controlled.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA. Clinical assessment of potential cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interactions. AAPS Ann Mtg & Expo Indianapolis, IN: 2000; Oct 29 - Nov 2:presentation #3460.
  2. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. Cytochrome P450 phenotypic ratios for predicting herb-drug interactions in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;72:276-87.. PubMed
  3. Gurley, B. J., Gardner, S. F., Hubbard, M. A., Williams, D. K., Gentry, W. B., Cui, Y., and Ang, C. Y. Clinical assessment of effects of botanical supplementation on cytochrome P450 phenotypes in the elderly: St John's wort, garlic oil, Panax ginseng and DOI
  4. Kim Y, Jo JJ, Cho P, et al. Characterization of red ginseng-drug interaction by CYP3A activity increased in high dose administration in mice. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 2020;41(7):295-306. 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

Panax Ginseng Also Interacts With Other Medications

Panax Ginseng has 1,129 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,129 No known interaction 1,701 (incl. Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Panax Ginseng

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate

This page covers Panax Ginseng only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate page lists 240 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).

Open the Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Panax Ginseng as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 517 real supplement products containing Panax Ginseng, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Panax Ginseng. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate too, on top of Panax Ginseng — 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 Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate 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 Panax Ginseng
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate
Steady interest

#1,517 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 Panax Ginseng

What is Panax Ginseng?

Panax Ginseng
  • Boosting energy and fighting fatigue
  • Improving mental focus and memory
  • Coping with stress (adaptogen)
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Supporting immune health
  • Blood sugar support

Panax ginseng is a popular traditional herb used to boost energy, ease stress, and support overall wellness, though scientific evidence is mixed and mostly preliminary. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but it can cause side effects like trouble sleeping and may not be safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Read the full Panax Ginseng monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Panax Ginseng

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

0Major
1,129Moderate
0Minor
1,700No known interaction
1,129 Moderate 1,700 No interaction
Moderate

1,129 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,129 moderate interactions — see all 1,129 on the Panax Ginseng page.

No interaction 1,700 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,700 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Panax Ginseng list.

See the full Panax Ginseng interactions page
See every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate, 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
Panax Ginseng monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate, 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 Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Panax Ginseng with Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate?
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 Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate 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, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate and Panax Ginseng?

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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.