Propolis + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine brand name: Colrex.
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls into 4 drug categories that Propolis can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Read the full interaction reportPropolis and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 4 Interactions?
Propolis interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Propolis in 4 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 4Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Propolis interacts with.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2D6. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2D6 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2D6 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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.
Here is the wrinkle with this combo product, Colrex contains codeine, which is a prodrug. Your body uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to turn codeine into morphine, the part that actually relieves pain and quiets a cough. Lab studies suggest propolis might block CYP2D6. If that happened in real life, you would get less active morphine, meaning weaker pain and cough relief, not more side effects.
The good news, this is very theoretical. It only showed up in test tubes, and animal studies found no real effect, likely because so little propolis reaches the bloodstream. No problems have been reported in people. Normal propolis use is unlikely to matter, but if you take high doses, just mention it to your pharmacist.
- Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
- Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
2 of 4Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP1A2. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP1A2 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP1A2 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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.
Here's the honest scoop on mixing propolis with this cold-and-cough combo (Colrex). In a test tube, propolis can slow down a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. In theory, slowing that enzyme could let certain medicines build up a bit. But this product isn't really cleared by CYP1A2 in a big way, and when researchers gave propolis to animals, they didn't see a meaningful change in that enzyme's activity. There are no reports of a real problem in people.
So practically speaking, I wouldn't lose sleep over this one. Just keep an eye out for the usual effects of this combo, like drowsiness, dizziness, or constipation from the codeine. If you take concentrated propolis supplements daily, it's worth a quick mention to your pharmacist.
- Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
- Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 4Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
Some in vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP3A4; however, other in vitro research shows that propolis has no effect on CYP3A4 activity. Furthermore, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP3A4 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that might in inhibit CYP3A4 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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 Colrex combination has a lot going on, but the piece that touches propolis is the codeine. In a test tube, some propolis extracts may slow down CYP3A4, an enzyme your liver uses to help process codeine. If that enzyme were blocked, codeine could linger a bit longer, which in theory might add to drowsiness, constipation, or feeling lightheaded. The other ingredients (acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine) aren't heavily driven by this pathway.
Here's the reassuring part: this is theoretical, based only on lab and animal work, and it has never been shown to actually happen in people. Everyday or culinary amounts of propolis are very unlikely to matter. Still, if you take concentrated propolis regularly, it's worth a quick word with your pharmacist or doctor.
- Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
- Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES
4 of 4Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that propolis can inhibit CYP2E1. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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 combination cold product, sold as Colrex, contains acetaminophen (Tylenol), an antihistamine, codeine, and a decongestant. The piece that touches on this interaction is the acetaminophen, which is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP2E1. In test-tube studies, propolis appears to slow that enzyme down a bit. In theory, slowing it could shift how acetaminophen is processed.
Here is the honest part: this has only been seen in lab dishes, never in actual people, so it is mostly a theoretical concern. For most folks taking propolis here and there, this isn't likely to cause trouble. The bigger everyday rule with acetaminophen is simply not stacking multiple products that contain it and staying under the daily limit. If you use propolis regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.
- Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
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.
Propolis Also Interacts With Other Medications
Propolis has 920 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Propolis
We haven’t checked that one against Propolis yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Propolis. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine
This page covers Propolis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine page lists 338 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 Ephedra (major).
By severity: 18 major · 275 moderate · 45 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine page
“Someone taking Colrex is usually fighting a miserable cold, and cold season is also when people reach for herbal sleep aids and energy boosters, which is exactly where this list bites hardest. Colrex combines acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, codeine, and phenylephrine, and 18 of its 338 supplement interactions rate major, enough to war…”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Open the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interaction page
Taking Propolis as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 723 real supplement products containing Propolis, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Propolis. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine too, on top of Propolis — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Propolis and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine 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.
#251 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#270 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 Propolis
What is Propolis?
- Cold sores and herpes lesions (topical)
- Sore throat and mouth sores
- Wound and skin healing
- Immune support
- Oral and gum health
Propolis is a natural, resin-like substance made by bees that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Early research suggests it may help with cold sores, mouth sores, and minor wounds, but high-quality evidence is limited for most uses. It is generally well tolerated, but allergic reactions can occur, especially in people allergic to bee products.
Other Drugs & Propolis
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Propolis — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
920 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Ketoprofen ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Meloxicam ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Propoxyphene ›
Showing 60 of 920 moderate interactions — see all 920 on the Propolis page.
No interaction 1,909 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Propolis against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Docusate ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Bupropion ›
- Metformin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Mannitol ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Levodopa ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Procainamide ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Digoxin ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Triptorelin ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,909 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Propolis 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, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Propolis — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine nutrient depletion report ›
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 Propolis and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Propolis with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine?
Why are there 4 interactions listed for Propolis and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine?
How serious is the Propolis and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine 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.