Drug & supplement interaction

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) + Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum Toxin Type A brand name: Botox.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A 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.

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Interaction report

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A

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 Botulinum Toxin Type A 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 Botulinum Toxin Type A and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
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 — Botulinum Toxin Type A isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

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

What Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is the side-effect record for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba), this list is the first place to look. 3 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

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

    “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
  • Liver problems Worth acting on Additional detail

    “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.

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, PABA can cause allergic reactions including fever and skin rash.”

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

    1 source 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.
  • Sun sensitivity Additional detail

    “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.
  • Joint pain Additional detail

    “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.
  • Reduced appetite / Stomach upset / Fever / A skin rash Additional detail

    “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.
  • Diarrhea Additional detail

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

Showing the 10 most notable of 12 recorded effects — ranked by how unusual each one is across medicines generally, with serious effects weighted up.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Botulinum Toxin Type A to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Botulinum Toxin Type A.

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

Overlapping uses

What Botulinum Toxin Type A Is Prescribed For, and What Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Botulinum Toxin Type A is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Botulinum Toxin Type A is prescribed for: Botox is approved to treat a wide range of conditions in adults and some children. These include overactive bladder (OAB) with urge incontinence, urinary incontinence caused by nerve-related bladder overactivity (in adults and in children aged 5 and older), prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month), muscle stiffness (spasticity) in patients aged 2 and older, cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain), severe underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when topical treatments haven't worked, eyelid spasms (blepharospasm) in patients aged 12 and older, and crossed eyes (strabismus) in patients aged 12 and older. BOTOX Cosmetic is a separate product containing the same active ingredient but with its own approved cosmetic uses. Both products are given by injection and are not interchangeable with other botulinum toxin products.

Read the rest of what Botulinum Toxin Type A is prescribed for

Botox has not been shown to work for episodic migraine (14 or fewer headache days per month), and its safety for excessive sweating in body areas other than the underarms has not been established.

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has been studied for:

  • Headache studied, not established Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) for headache

    Although there has been interest in using oral PABA for headache, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of PABA for this purpose.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Botulinum Toxin Type A on your own; if you are taking Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) or Botulinum Toxin Type A

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 Botulinum Toxin Type A, 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.

How much people look this up

Where Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A 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

#1,310 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Botulinum Toxin Type A
Steady interest

#1,695 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 27, 2026. The Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A 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 OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection

What Is OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection Used For?

Brand name: Botox

Botox is approved to treat a wide range of conditions in adults and some children. These include overactive bladder (OAB) with urge incontinence, urinary incontinence caused by nerve-related bladder overactivity (in adults and in children aged 5 and older), prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month), muscle stiffness (spasticity) in patients aged 2 and older, cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain), severe underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when topical treatments haven't worked, eyelid spasms (blepharospasm) in patients aged 12 and older, and crossed eyes (strabismus) in patients aged 12 and older.

BOTOX Cosmetic is a separate product containing the same active ingredient but with its own approved cosmetic uses. Both products are given by injection and are not interchangeable with other botulinum toxin products. Botox has not been shown to work for episodic migraine (14 or fewer headache days per month), and its safety for excessive sweating in body areas other than the underarms has not been established.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Botulinum Toxin Type A

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (12,343 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 1,595 reports
Drug intolerance 1,333 reports
Nausea 1,266 reports
Migraine 1,176 reports
Dizziness 1,126 reports
See full OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection 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
Major

17 interactions

No interaction 2,812 drugs checked — show the list
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 Botulinum Toxin Type A Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) with Botulinum Toxin Type A?
We do not list a known interaction between Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A. 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.
Are Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Botulinum Toxin Type A used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Botulinum Toxin Type A is being adjusted to a target.
Does Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) interact with any other medications?
Yes. Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has 17 documented drug interactions in our database — Botulinum Toxin Type A is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

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

Still Have a Question About Botulinum Toxin Type A 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.