Panax Ginseng + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine brand name: Theracaps.
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine falls into 3 drug categories that Panax Ginseng can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, Panax ginseng might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Read the full interaction reportPanax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Panax Ginseng interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Panax Ginseng in 3 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 3Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine
Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Panax Ginseng interacts with.
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.
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 combo cold-and-cough product (Theracaps) contains dextromethorphan, the cough suppressant, which your body clears using a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. Panax ginseng may slightly slow that same enzyme down. In theory, that could let a little more dextromethorphan build up, which might bring on drowsiness, dizziness, or some stomach upset.
Honestly, the effect here looks small and the research is mixed. One study suggested ginseng blocks this enzyme by only about 6 percent, and other studies found no real effect at all. So for most healthy people taking this medicine short-term for a cold, this isn't something I'd lose sleep over. Still, if you take ginseng regularly or feel unusually groggy, check in with your pharmacist or doctor first.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
Panax ginseng may affect the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. One such drug is imatinib. Inhibition of CYP3A4 was believed to be responsible for a case of imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity. In contrast, Panax ginseng has been shown to increase the clearance of midazolam, another drug metabolized by CYP3A4. Clinical research shows that Panax ginseng can reduce midazolam area under the curve by 44%, maximum plasma concentration by 26%, and time to reach maximum plasma concentration by 29%. Midazolam metabolism was also increased in animals given Panax ginseng. Until more is known, use Panax ginseng cautiously in combination with CYP3A4 substrates.
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 Theracaps product is a combination cold and cough remedy. Of its four ingredients, dextromethorphan (the cough suppressant) is the one most handled by the liver enzyme CYP3A4. Panax ginseng might nudge that enzyme either up or down, so in theory it could shift how much dextromethorphan is in your system. If levels rose a bit, you might feel more drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded; if they dropped, your cough relief might not last as long.
Honestly, this is a theoretical concern, and the evidence is thin. For most healthy adults taking a short course of cold medicine, occasional ginseng use is unlikely to cause real trouble. Still, if you take ginseng regularly, it is worth a quick chat with your pharmacist to be safe.
- Malati CY, Robertson SM, Hunt JD, Chairez C, Alfaro RM, Kovacs JA, Penzak SR. Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants. J Clin Pharmacol 2012;52(6):932-9.
- Bilgi N, Bell K, Ananthakrishnan AN, Atallah E. Imatinib and Panax ginseng: a potential interaction resulting in liver toxicity. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44(5):926-8.
- 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
STIMULANT DRUGS
3 of 3Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine also falls under STIMULANT DRUGS.
Panax ginseng has been shown to have stimulant 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 combo cold and cough product (Theracaps) includes phenylpropanolamine, a decongestant that acts like a mild stimulant. Panax ginseng can also have stimulant-like effects of its own. The concern here is that stacking the two together could add up and nudge you toward more jitteriness, a faster or pounding heartbeat, higher blood pressure, restlessness, or trouble sleeping. The other ingredients (acetaminophen for pain/fever, dextromethorphan for cough, and pyrilamine, an antihistamine) are not really the issue in this particular interaction.
I'll be honest: this is a theoretical caution based on how these ingredients work, not strong real-world data, so for most healthy people short-term it's likely minor. Still, if you have high blood pressure or heart issues, check with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them.
- Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:65-72.
- Gonzalez-Seijo JC, Ramos YM, Lastra I. Manic episode and ginseng: Report of a possible case. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;15:447-8.
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.
Panax Ginseng Also Interacts With Other Medications
Panax Ginseng has 1,131 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Panax Ginseng
We haven’t checked that one against Panax Ginseng yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Panax Ginseng. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine
This page covers Panax Ginseng only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine page lists 282 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 · 223 moderate · 45 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine page
“Of everything on this page, ephedra worries me most for anyone using Theracaps (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylpropanolamine, and pyrilamine), because the decongestant in this cold formula is itself a stimulant. Adding ephedra or any of the 44 stimulant entries can push blood pressure and heart rate to unsafe levels.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Open the Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interaction page
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, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine 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:
Where Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine 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.
#232 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#161 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 Panax Ginseng
What is 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.
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.
No drugs match “”.
1,131 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Phentermine ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Insulin (rdna) ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Phenylpropanolamine ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Insulin (pork) ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Nicotine ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Insulin (human) ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Procainamide ›
- Pseudoephedrine ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Diethylpropion ›
- Everolimus ›
Showing 60 of 1,131 moderate interactions — see all 1,131 on the Panax Ginseng page.
No interaction 1,698 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.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Docusate ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Bupropion ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Calcium Oxybate, Magnesium Oxybate, Potassium Oxybate, Sodium Oxybate ›
- Atenolol, Chlorthalidone ›
- Enalapril Maleate ›
- Bendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia Serpentina ›
- Bismuth Subcarbonate, Calcium Carbonate, Opium ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Sacubitril, Valsartan ›
- Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Rifampin ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Levodopa ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Hydrocortisone, Clioquinol, Pramoxine ›
- Daunorubicin, Cytarabine ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil, Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Sodium Bicarbonate (otc Drug) ›
- Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ›
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella Virus Live ›
- Ceftolozane Sulfate, Tazobactam Sodium ›
- Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Atropine Methyl Nitrate, Digestive Enzymes ›
- Peginterferon Alfa-2a, Ribavirin ›
- Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride ›
- Pyrilamine Maleate ›
- Valsartan ›
- Fosinopril, Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Mannitol ›
- Bupivacaine, Meloxicam ›
- Glycerol Phenylbutyrate ›
- Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor ›
- Acetaminophen, Butalbital ›
- Tubocurarine ›
- Atenolol ›
- Psyllium , Senna (otc Drug) ›
- Spironolactone ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,698 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Panax Ginseng 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, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Panax Ginseng — 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 Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Panax Ginseng with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine?
How serious is the Panax Ginseng and Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interaction?
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.