Drug & supplement interaction

Sulforaphane + Paracetamol

Paracetamol brand name: Panadol.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Paracetamol falls into 2 drug categories that Sulforaphane can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, sulforaphane might alter the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Sulforaphane and Paracetamol

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Sulforaphane interacts with whole categories of medication. Paracetamol falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Sulforaphane in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

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Why this applies to Paracetamol

Paracetamol falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Sulforaphane interacts with.

Theoretically, sulforaphane might alter the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
Animal and in vitro research shows that sulforaphane inhibits CYP1A2 enzyme activity. However, its precursor glucoraphanin also appears to increase the expression of the CYP1A2 enzyme, which could lead to increased metabolism of CYP1A2 substrates. These effects have not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

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

Here's the honest picture with broccoli-derived sulforaphane and paracetamol (Panadol): right now this is mostly theoretical. The concern is that sulforaphane can nudge a liver enzyme called CYP1A2, which plays a small part in how your body processes paracetamol. In lab and animal studies it pulls in two directions, sometimes blocking that enzyme and sometimes speeding it up, so we honestly can't predict a clear effect. None of this has actually been seen in people.

The good news is that eating broccoli and other cruciferous veggies is not a problem here. If you take a concentrated sulforaphane supplement, just give your pharmacist or doctor a heads-up, and as always, don't exceed the recommended paracetamol dose, since the liver is the main thing to respect with this medicine.

References
  1. Barcelo S, Mace K, Pfeifer AM, Chipman JK. Production of DNA strand breaks by N-nitrosodimethylamine and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in THLE cells expressing human CYP isoenzymes and inhibition by sulforaphane. Mutat Res 1998;402:111-20. PubMed
  2. Fimognari C, Lenzi M, Hrelia P. Interaction of the isothiocyanate sulforaphane with drug disposition and metabolism: pharmacological and toxicological implications. Curr Drug Metab. 2008;9(7):668-78. PubMed
  3. Chinnappan SM, George A, Evans M, Anthony J. Efficacy of Labisia pumila and Eurycoma longifolia standardised extracts on hot flushes, quality of life, hormone and lipid profile of peri-menopausal and menopausal women: a randomised, placebo-controlled stud
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Paracetamol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, sulforaphane might increase the levels and effects of CYP2E1 substrates.
In vitro evidence shows that sulforaphane inhibits CYP2E1 enzymes. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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.

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

Here's the interesting twist with paracetamol (Panadol) and sulforaphane. Most of your dose is cleared safely, but a small amount gets processed by an enzyme called CYP2E1, and that pathway is what creates the toxic byproduct that can stress your liver. In lab studies, sulforaphane actually blocks CYP2E1. So in theory, less of that harmful byproduct would form, which isn't a dangerous direction.

The big caveat: this has only been seen in test-tube and animal studies, never confirmed in real people, so I wouldn't read too much into it. Eating broccoli is no concern at all. If you take a concentrated sulforaphane capsule and use paracetamol regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist so they can keep an eye on things.

References
  1. Fimognari C, Lenzi M, Hrelia P. Interaction of the isothiocyanate sulforaphane with drug disposition and metabolism: pharmacological and toxicological implications. Curr Drug Metab. 2008;9(7):668-78. PubMed

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

Sulforaphane Also Interacts With Other Medications

Sulforaphane has 721 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Paracetamol one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Sulforaphane

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Sulforaphane or Paracetamol

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Sulforaphane or Paracetamol, 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 Paracetamol

This page covers Sulforaphane only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Paracetamol page lists 155 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and Wine (major).

By severity: 5 major · 114 moderate · 36 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Paracetamol page

“Nothing on this list concerns me more than alcohol for people who take paracetamol (Panadol) regularly. Beer and wine both carry major ratings because paracetamol is processed by the liver, and drinking on top of it raises the odds of genuine liver injury.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Paracetamol interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Sulforaphane as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 167 real supplement products containing Sulforaphane, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Sulforaphane. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Paracetamol too, on top of Sulforaphane — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Sulforaphane and Paracetamol 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 Sulforaphane
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Paracetamol
Top 10%

#218 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 Sulforaphane

What is Sulforaphane?

  • Antioxidant support
  • General cellular health
  • Detoxification support
  • Inflammation
  • Skin and aging concerns

Sulforaphane is a natural compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables that has shown promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lab studies, but strong human evidence for most specific health claims is still limited. It is generally well tolerated as part of a vegetable-rich diet, but if you take a concentrated supplement, talk to your pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Sulforaphane monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Acetaminophen Injection

What Is Acetaminophen Injection Used For?

Brand name: Panadol

Acetaminophen Injection is given intravenously (through a vein) to manage mild to moderate pain, or moderate to severe pain when used together with opioid pain medicines, in adults and children 2 years and older. It is also used to reduce fever in adults and pediatric patients of all ages, including premature newborns born at 32 weeks gestational age or later.

For children under 2 years old, Acetaminophen Injection is approved for fever reduction, but its effectiveness for pain relief in that age group has not been established.

See full Acetaminophen Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Sulforaphane

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

0Major
721Moderate
0Minor
2,108No known interaction
Moderate

721 interactions

Showing 60 of 721 moderate interactions — see all 721 on the Sulforaphane page.

No interaction 2,108 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 Sulforaphane and Paracetamol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Sulforaphane with Paracetamol?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Sulforaphane and Paracetamol?
Paracetamol belongs to more than one drug category, and Sulforaphane interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Sulforaphane and Paracetamol interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Paracetamol and Sulforaphane?

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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.