Drug & supplement interaction

Scopolia + Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide

Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide brand names: Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold, Coricidin II Cough & Cold, Pediatric Vicks Formula 44m Cough & Cold Relief.

Major Interaction
The bottom line Major

Scopolia has a major interaction with Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide. The alkaloid constituents of scopolia, including hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine, could potentiate the effects and adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityMajor
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Scopolia and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Major

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide

Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide falls under ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS — the group Scopolia interacts with.

The alkaloid constituents of scopolia, including hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine, could potentiate the effects and adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs.
Severity Major Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction 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..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the thing to know about this combo cough and cold product: the chlorpheniramine part is a sedating antihistamine that already has its own anticholinergic (drying) action. Scopolia is loaded with anticholinergic alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine, so putting the two together is like stacking two of the same effect on top of each other.

What that can look like in real life is a dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, trouble urinating, a fast heartbeat, confusion, and feeling extra drowsy or foggy. In older folks especially, that combination can tip into real problems. This warning is based on how these drugs work rather than hard studies, but the pharmacology is solid enough that I'd take it seriously. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them.

References
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • 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.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • 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.

Keep it in perspective

Scopolia Also Interacts With Other Medications

Scopolia has 199 major, known drug interactions in our database — the Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Scopolia

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Scopolia. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide

This page covers Scopolia only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide page lists 218 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Henbane (major), Lithium (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 170 moderate · 42 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide page

“Grapefruit is the interaction I would flag first for anyone taking chlorpheniramine with dextromethorphan (Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold). It blocks the enzyme that clears these ingredients, so levels and side effects can climb.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Scopolia and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 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 Scopolia
Steady interest

#1,228 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide
Top 5%

#91 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.

Supplement

About Scopolia

What is Scopolia?

Scopolia
  • Stomach and intestinal cramps
  • Motion sickness
  • Spasms and colic
  • Excess saliva or secretions
  • Pain relief (traditional)

Scopolia is a poisonous plant in the nightshade family that contains powerful anticholinergic alkaloids like atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. While these compounds are used in carefully measured prescription medicines, the raw plant is dangerous for self-treatment and should never be used without a doctor's supervision.

Read the full Scopolia monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Scopolia

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Scopolia — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

199Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,630No known interaction
Major

199 interactions

Showing 60 of 199 major interactions — see all 199 on the Scopolia page.

No interaction 2,630 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Scopolia and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Scopolia with Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide?
This is rated a major interaction, so the combination is best avoided unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically told you otherwise. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Scopolia and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interaction?
We rate it Major. This is a clinically significant combination that is generally best avoided, or used only under the direct supervision of your physician or pharmacist.

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.