Drug & supplement interaction

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) + Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline brand name: Elavil.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Amitriptyline and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) safety at a glance

Para-aminobenzoic... overall Use caution Generally tolerated at low doses, but high doses may cause stomach upset and rare liver or other problems.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used topically and appropriately. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the oral use of PABA during pregnancy and breast... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used topically and appropriately. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the oral use of PABA during pregnancy and breast... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Amitriptyline and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Amitriptyline

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Amitriptyline is filed under 15 classifications — including tricyclic antidepressants (tcas), antidepressant drugs, cytochrome p450 2c19 (cyp2c19) substrates. Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has documented interactions with 2 drug classes — the most serious being dapsone (avlosulfon) (major) and sulfonamide antibiotics (major) — and none of Amitriptyline’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) Does Interact With Other Medications

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has 17 major, known drug interactions in our database — Amitriptyline isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 17 No known interaction 2,813 (incl. Amitriptyline)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba). Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes Worth acting on Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “Liver toxicity, including fatal hepatitis has been reported in patients taking PABA in high doses (12-48 grams per day). In one case, 12 grams per day for 2 months caused liver toxicity. Increased liver function tests from PABA have also been noted, and jaundice was reported in one case of treatment with PABA.”

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hepatitis.

    4 sources cited
    1. 1094. Kantor GR, Ratz JL. Liver toxicity from potassium para-aminobenzoate. J Am Acad Dermatol 1985;13:671-2. PubMed
    2. 1084. Ludwig G. Evaluation of conservative therapeutic approaches to Peyronie's disease (fibrotic induration of the penis). Urol Int 1991;47:236-9. PubMed
    3. 68049. Davies, D. M. and Cavanagh, J. Jaundice from potassium p-aminobenzoate. Lancet 4-22-1967;1(7495):896. PubMed
    4. 1065. Zarafonetis CJ, Dabich L, DeVol EB, et al. Potassium para-aminobenzoate and liver function test findings. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;15:144-9. PubMed

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Liver problems Worth acting on Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “Orally and topically, PABA is generally well tolerated.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Anorexia, dyspepsia, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting.

    Topically: Dermatitis, paradoxical photosensitivity.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Hepatotoxicity.”

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Sun sensitivity Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “Topically, PABA can cause contact dermatitis and sometimes paradoxical photosensitivity.”

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    1 source cited
    1. 272. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Joint pain Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “Death has been reported in 3 children treated with 24 grams of PABA per day for rheumatic fever or arthritis. At autopsy, all had fatty changes in the liver, kidney, and myocardium. Topical PABA and its derivatives have a tendency to discolor clothing due to a photo-oxidative reaction.”

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fever.

    2 sources cited
    1. 1061. Worobec S, LaChine A. Dangers of orally administered para-aminobenzoic acid. JAMA 1984;251:2348. DOI
    2. 68025. Taylor, S. E. and Dorris, R. L. Modification of local anesthetic toxicity by vasoconstrictors. Anesth.Prog 1989;36(3):79-87.

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Reduced appetite / Fever / Nausea / A skin rash / Vomiting reported in 8.8% of FDA reports for Amitriptyline Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “Orally, the most commonly reported side effects of PABA are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dyspepsia, fever, and rash. PABA should be discontinued if adverse effects prevent the patient from eating (10). In one report, up to 25% of patients discontinued PABA due to intolerance of side effects.”

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    2 sources cited
    1. 1074. Clegg DO, Reading JC, Mayes MD, et al. Comparison of aminobenzoate potassium and placebo in the treatment of scleroderma. J Rheumatol 1994;21:105-10.
    2. 10. United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., ed. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 19th ed. Englewood, CO: Micromedex Inc., 1999.

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Diarrhea reported in 6.8% of FDA reports for Amitriptyline Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    Recorded for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Reduced appetite / Fever / Nausea / A skin rash / Vomiting above.

    Amitriptyline

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Amitriptyline, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) but not commonly for Amitriptyline: an allergic reaction and stomach upset.

Effects for Amitriptyline come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 17,459 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Amitriptyline that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When used topically and appropriately. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the oral use of PABA during pregnancy and breast-feeding; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

From our Q&A

Questions About Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) or Amitriptyline

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) or Amitriptyline, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amitriptyline

This page covers Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Amitriptyline page lists 296 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), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major) and Beer (major).

By severity: 17 major · 228 moderate · 51 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Amitriptyline page

“Amitriptyline (Elavil), an older antidepressant now often prescribed for nerve pain, migraines, and sleep, is one of the drugs I genuinely want patients to be careful with, and 17 of the 296 supplement and herbal ingredients on this list carry a major rating. Most of the serious ones deepen the drowsiness amitriptyline already causes,…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Amitriptyline interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline 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 Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)
Steady interest

#1,274 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Amitriptyline
Top 5%

#45 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.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

What is Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)?

  • Skin conditions like vitiligo
  • Scleroderma and skin tightening conditions
  • Graying hair
  • Sunscreen ingredient (older topical products)
  • General supplement and 'B-complex' support

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is a chemical sometimes taken as a supplement or used in older sunscreens. Evidence supporting its oral use for skin conditions, hair color, and other claims is limited and outdated, and high doses can cause side effects. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Not a plant; PABA is a chemical compound (an amino acid-like substance) · Tablets, capsules, and topical creams or lotions

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) record says about it on its own.

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba): dosing

There is no well-established standard dose of PABA for any condition, and high doses have been associated with toxicity. Some older studies used relatively large amounts under medical supervision, but these are not appropriate for routine self-treatment.If you choose to use a PABA product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed the recommended amount.

From our Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Amitriptyline

What Is Amitriptyline Used For?

Brand name: Elavil

Amitriptyline HCL and Amitriptyline Hydrochloride tablets are used to relieve symptoms of depression. Depression that originates from within the body (called endogenous depression) tends to respond better than other types of depression.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Amitriptyline

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (17,459 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Nausea 1,535 reports
Headache 1,476 reports
Fatigue 1,448 reports
Dyspnea 1,442 reports
Dizziness 1,227 reports
See full Amitriptyline drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

17Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,812No known interaction
17 Major 2,812 No interaction
Major

17 interactions

No interaction 2,812 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,812 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) list.

See the full Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Amitriptyline, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) References

The 11 references that drive our Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., ed. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 19th ed. Englewood, CO: Micromedex Inc., 1999.
  2. Facts and Comparisons staff. Drug Facts and Comparisons. St Louis: Wolters Kluwer Company (updated monthly).
  3. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  4. Worobec S, LaChine A. Dangers of orally administered para-aminobenzoic acid. JAMA 1984;251:2348. DOI
  5. Zarafonetis CJ, Dabich L, DeVol EB, et al. Potassium para-aminobenzoate and liver function test findings. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;15:144-9. PubMed
  6. Clegg DO, Reading JC, Mayes MD, et al. Comparison of aminobenzoate potassium and placebo in the treatment of scleroderma. J Rheumatol 1994;21:105-10.
  7. Ludwig G. Evaluation of conservative therapeutic approaches to Peyronie's disease (fibrotic induration of the penis). Urol Int 1991;47:236-9. PubMed
  8. Kantor GR, Ratz JL. Liver toxicity from potassium para-aminobenzoate. J Am Acad Dermatol 1985;13:671-2. PubMed
  9. Wiesel LL, Barritt AS, Stumpe WM. The synergistic action of para-aminobenzoic acid and cortisone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Med Sci 1951;243-8. DOI
  10. Taylor, S. E. and Dorris, R. L. Modification of local anesthetic toxicity by vasoconstrictors. Anesth.Prog 1989;36(3):79-87.
  11. Davies, D. M. and Cavanagh, J. Jaundice from potassium p-aminobenzoate. Lancet 4-22-1967;1(7495):896. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) with Amitriptyline?
We do not list a known interaction between Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Amitriptyline combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Amitriptyline is filed under 15 classifications, and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has documented interactions with 2 drug classes — none of Amitriptyline's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) interact with any other medications?
Yes. Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has 17 documented drug interactions in our database — Amitriptyline is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Amitriptyline interact with any supplements?
Yes. Amitriptyline has documented interactions with 296 supplements in our database — Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) is not one of them. The Amitriptyline interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Amitriptyline drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Amitriptyline supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Amitriptyline, 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 References The 11 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Amitriptyline and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)?

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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.