Drug & supplement interaction

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) + Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan brand name: Tosymra.

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 Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan

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 Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Sumatriptan

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Sumatriptan is filed under 4 classifications — including qt interval-prolonging drugs, serotonergic drugs, serotonergic drugs. 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 Sumatriptan’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 — Sumatriptan 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. Sumatriptan)
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 Sumatriptan May Share a Side Effect

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. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba)

    “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.

    Sumatriptan

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

Reported for Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) but not commonly for Sumatriptan: sun sensitivity, liver problems, a skin rash and stomach upset.

Effects for Sumatriptan 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. 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

Overlapping uses

What Sumatriptan 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. Sumatriptan 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.

Sumatriptan is prescribed for: Sumatriptan is used to stop a migraine headache once it starts — with or without aura (the visual or sensory warning signs some people get before a migraine). It is available as tablets, nasal sprays, nasal capsules, and subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections for this purpose. Sumatriptan subcutaneous injections (brands: Imitrex injection, Sumatriptan Injection, Sumatriptan Succinate Injection) are also approved to treat acute cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan is not used to prevent migraines or cluster headaches — it only treats attacks once they begin.

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 Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan

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 Sumatriptan, 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 Sumatriptan

This page covers Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Sumatriptan page lists 50 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major) and Ephedra (major).

By severity: 8 major · 31 moderate · 11 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Sumatriptan page

“The supplement risk that matters most with sumatriptan (Tosymra) is serotonin overload. This migraine drug works through serotonin receptors, and 20 of the 50 interacting ingredients on file, 5-HTP among them, can push serotonin activity higher still, raising the risk of serotonin syndrome (agitation, racing heart, fever).”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Sumatriptan interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Sumatriptan 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

#1,262 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Sumatriptan
Top 5%

#39 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 Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan

What Is Sumatriptan Used For?

Brand name: Tosymra

Sumatriptan is used to stop a migraine headache once it starts — with or without aura (the visual or sensory warning signs some people get before a migraine). It is available as tablets, nasal sprays, nasal capsules, and subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections for this purpose.

Sumatriptan subcutaneous injections (brands: Imitrex injection, Sumatriptan Injection, Sumatriptan Succinate Injection) are also approved to treat acute cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan is not used to prevent migraines or cluster headaches — it only treats attacks once they begin.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Sumatriptan

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (46,096 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 3,911 reports
Nausea 3,510 reports
Migraine 3,445 reports
Fatigue 2,617 reports
Dizziness 2,121 reports
See full Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan, 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 Sumatriptan Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) with Sumatriptan?
We do not list a known interaction between Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Sumatriptan. 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 Sumatriptan have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to one 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.
Are Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) and Sumatriptan combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Sumatriptan is filed under 4 classifications, and Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) has documented interactions with 2 drug classes — none of Sumatriptan'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 — Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan interact with any supplements?
Yes. Sumatriptan has documented interactions with 50 supplements in our database — Para-aminobenzoic Acid (paba) is not one of them. The Sumatriptan 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 Sumatriptan drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Sumatriptan supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Sumatriptan, 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

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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.