Drug & supplement interaction

Yohimbe + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine brand names: Protid, Histex SR, Alka-Seltzer PLUS.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine falls into 4 drug categories that Yohimbe can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
Interactions4
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Yohimbe and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine

These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 4 Interactions?

Yohimbe interacts with whole categories of medication. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Yohimbe in 4 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS

1 of 4

Why this applies to Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS — the group Yohimbe interacts with.

CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe.
In vitro and clinical research shows that the yohimbe bark constituent, yohimbine, is metabolized by CYP2D6 isoenzymes. Paroxetine, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, increases the maximum serum concentration of yohimbine and reduces the clearance of yohimbine compared to yohimbine alone in patients who are extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers..
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

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 watch with this combo cold-and-allergy product. One of its ingredients, chlorpheniramine, can mildly block an enzyme called CYP2D6, which is the same enzyme your body uses to clear yohimbine (the active part of yohimbe). When that enzyme is slowed, yohimbine can hang around longer and build up higher than expected.

The concern isn't really with the cold medicine itself, it's that you could feel more of yohimbe's stimulant effects: jittery feelings, a racing heart, anxiety, or a spike in blood pressure. Phenylephrine, the decongestant in here, can already nudge blood pressure up too, so the two together may add up. This is a probable interaction but moderate in size. If you take yohimbe, please run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Le Corre P, Parmer RJ, Kailasam MT, et al. Human sympathetic activation by alpha2-adrenergic blockade with yohimbine: Bimodal, epistatic influence of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;76(2):139-53.
  2. Mueller-Schoell A, Michelet R, Weinelt F, Kloft C, Mikus G. CYP2D6 phenotype explains reported yohimbine concentrations in four severe acute intoxications. Arch Toxicol. 2021. PubMed
  3. Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9. PubMed
  4. Vay M, Meyer MJ, Blank A, et al. Oral yohimbine as a new probe drug to predict CYP2D6 activity: results of a fixed-sequence phase I trial. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2020;59(7):927-939. PubMed
Moderate

STIMULANT DRUGS

2 of 4

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine also falls under STIMULANT DRUGS.

Theoretically, taking yohimbe with stimulant drugs can have additive effects.
Yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe, has sympathomimetic effects and increases blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Theoretically, taking yohimbe with stimulant drugs can have additive stimulant and hypertensive effects.
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 part to pay attention to with this combo product: it contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that works by tightening up blood vessels, which can nudge your blood pressure up and make your heart work harder. Yohimbe (through its active compound yohimbine) does something similar by revving up your body's adrenaline-type signals. Stacked together, those effects can add up.

So in theory, taking the two could mean a bigger jump in blood pressure, a faster or pounding heartbeat, jitteriness, or trouble sleeping. This is based on how these ingredients behave on paper rather than strong studies, so it isn't a guaranteed problem. Still, if you have high blood pressure or heart concerns, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them. The acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine pieces aren't the worry here.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

3 of 4

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, yohimbe might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that yohimbe extract induces CYP1A2 enzymes.
Severity Minor 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 this combo cold and allergy product. The lab-based concern is that yohimbe may speed up a liver enzyme called CYP1A2, which could in theory lower the levels of medicines it processes. For this particular product, that effect on the acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine is very minor and only seen in test-tube studies, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

What I'd actually watch is a different, more real-world issue: yohimbe can raise your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate, and so can the phenylephrine decongestant. Stacking the two could leave you feeling jittery, anxious, or pounding. If you have heart or blood pressure concerns, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

4 of 4

Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, yohimbe might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that yohimbe extract induces CYP3A4 enzymes.
Severity Minor 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 this combo cold and allergy product (which pairs acetaminophen for pain and fever, chlorpheniramine for runny nose and sneezing, and phenylephrine as a decongestant). The concern on file is only theoretical and comes from lab and test-tube research, not real people. In those studies, yohimbe seemed to speed up a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, which could in theory clear some of these ingredients a little faster and make them slightly less effective.

Honestly, the bigger real-world worry isn't the enzyme. Both yohimbe and the phenylephrine decongestant can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so stacking them could leave you feeling jittery or wired. If you take blood pressure medicine or feel your heart racing, check with your pharmacist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. 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

Yohimbe Also Interacts With Other Medications

Yohimbe has 9 major, 679 moderate, 436 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 9 Moderate 679 Minor 436 No known interaction 1,706 (incl. Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Yohimbe

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine

This page covers Yohimbe only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine page lists 292 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), Ephedra (major) and Grapefruit (major).

By severity: 14 major · 232 moderate · 46 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine page

“Picture the week you are sick enough to reach for Alka-Seltzer PLUS or another acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine combination, while still taking whatever supplements you always take. That is where trouble hides, and with 14 of its 292 supplement interactions rated major, this medicine warrants real vigilance.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,054 real supplement products containing Yohimbe, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Yohimbe. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine too, on top of Yohimbe — 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 Yohimbe and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, 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.

Supplement Yohimbe
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine
Top 25%

#475 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 Yohimbe

What is Yohimbe?

Yohimbe
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Low sex drive
  • Sexual performance
  • Weight loss
  • Athletic performance

Yohimbe is a West African tree bark that contains yohimbine, a compound mainly promoted for erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac. A prescription form of yohimbine has some evidence for erectile dysfunction, but over-the-counter yohimbe supplements vary widely in content and can cause serious side effects like high blood pressure and fast heart rate. Because of these safety concerns, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full Yohimbe monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Yohimbe

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

9Major
679Moderate
436Minor
1,705No known interaction
9 Major 679 Moderate 436 Minor 1,705 No interaction
Major

9 interactions

Moderate

679 interactions

Showing 60 of 679 moderate interactions — see all 679 on the Yohimbe page.

Minor

436 interactions

Showing 60 of 436 minor interactions — see all 436 on the Yohimbe page.

No interaction 1,705 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Yohimbe against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,705 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Yohimbe list.

See the full Yohimbe interactions page
See every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Yohimbe monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, 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 Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Yohimbe and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Yohimbe with Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine?
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 4 interactions listed for Yohimbe and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine?
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine belongs to more than one drug category, and Yohimbe 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 Yohimbe and Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine 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 Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine and Yohimbe?

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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.