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Dietary supplement

Barley Beta-Glucan Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Doctor's Best

Barley Beta-Glucan label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Barley Beta-Glucan against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Barley Beta-Glucan is a dietary supplement by Doctor's Best with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, heart health, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 293 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Barley Beta-Glucan. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 16, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: barley beta-glucan, a soluble fiber extracted from barley grain. The capsule itself is made up of inactive ingredients — modified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and calcium stearate — which are fillers and binders used to hold the capsule together.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Beta-glucans's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: immune system support and defense.
  • We looked for evidence on: Exercise-induced respiratory infections, Lower respiratory tract infections, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Critical illness (trauma), Wound healing, Immune function — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Beta-glucans is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Beta-glucans is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced respiratory infections, Lower respiratory tract infections, Wound healing, Critical illness (trauma).

Barley beta-glucan is rated Likely Effective for two conditions: helping with abnormal cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia) and supporting heart health in coronary heart disease. The evidence behind these ratings comes from clinical research showing the ingredient can help improve cholesterol and cardiovascular markers in people who need it.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Beta-glucans

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Beta-glucan from food sources is generally well tolerated, and orally taken supplements appear safe in most people. That said, concentrated supplement doses haven't been studied as thoroughly as food amounts, so it's wise to use caution.

When taken by mouth at very high doses (like in one trial studying children with neuroblastoma), one patient developed temporary liver enzyme elevations, though this was rare. There isn't enough research on supplement doses during breastfeeding to know if it's safe, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're nursing and thinking about taking this.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Beta-glucans

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Beta-glucans.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 293 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your medications if you take blood pressure drugs (antihypertensives) or immune-suppressing medications (immunosuppressants) before starting this product. Beta-glucan may lower blood pressure and stimulate immunity in ways that could interfere with these drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're looking to support your cholesterol and heart health and you don't take blood pressure medications or immune-suppressing drugs, this may be worth considering. If you do take either of those types of medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist first — the ingredient may affect how they work.

Either way, it's a good idea to run your full medication list through the checker before you start.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2016.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Barley Beta-Glucan, straight from the product label.

Brand Doctor's Best
Barcode (UPC) 753950003781
Net contents 60 Veggie Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2016
DSLD ID 59950
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
753950003781
IngredientAmount% DV
Barley Beta-Glucan250 mg--

Other ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

The health benefits of oatmeal are partly due to its beta glucan content. Barley actually contains more beta glucan than oats. Many health experts recommend increasing the consumption of beta glucans to help support the immune system, lower insulin resistance and blood cholesterol.

Helps support immune activity of macrophages and natural killer cells* Helps increase immune defense*

HELPS ACTIVATE THE BODY’S IMMUNE DEFENSES*

250 mg

Brand IP Statement(s)

Glucagel is water extracted from natural, hulless, Non-GMO barley grains.*

Science-Based Nutrition

Glucagel is a trademark of DKSH Ltd.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General

YDRB378-1

Formula

Barley Beta-Glucan with Glucagel

Doctor’s Best Barley Beta-Glucan contains Glucagel, a water soluble glucose polymer called beta glucan.

High purity source of Beta Glucan (75% water soluble fiber)*

Seals/Symbols

Vegan

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Adult Use: Take 1 capsule daily, with or without food, or as recommended by a nutritionally-informed physician.

Formulation

Non-GMO / Soy Free

Vegan

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Barley Beta-Glucan label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Barley Beta-Glucan

Interacts with
293 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Glucagel

Beta-glucans are natural fibers found in oats, barley, mushrooms, and yeast. The strongest evidence supports the oat and barley types for modestly low...

Barley Beta-Glucan monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Barley Beta-Glucan?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
293Drugs
293 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Barley Beta-Glucan 293

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Barley Beta-Glucan interact with 293 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Barley Beta-Glucan interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Barley Beta-Glucan

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Barley Beta-Glucan with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Barley Beta-Glucan2 drug types · 293 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking beta-glucans with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Clinical research shows that taking beta-glucans may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in some hypertensive individuals.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, beta-glucans might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Some clinical research shows that beta-glucans have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Barley Beta-Glucan full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Barley Beta-Glucan, from the product label.

Doctor's Best

See all Doctor's Best products
Name
Doctor's Best, Inc.
State
California
Phone Number
(800) 777-2474
Web Address
www.drbvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best: Common Questions

Does Barley Beta-Glucan by Doctor's Best interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Barley Beta-Glucan has a known interaction with 293 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Barley Beta-Glucan contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does barley beta-glucan actually lower cholesterol?
Yes — research shows barley beta-glucan is likely effective for improving cholesterol levels and supporting heart health in people with coronary heart disease. It's one of the better-studied uses for this ingredient.
Will this hurt my stomach or cause side effects?
Barley beta-glucan taken by mouth is generally well tolerated, and most people don't report problems. One rare case in a high-dose trial showed temporary liver enzyme changes, but that's not typical at standard supplement doses.
Can I take this while I'm breastfeeding?
There isn't enough research on supplement doses during breastfeeding to say either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you while nursing — they know your full health picture.
Is this just barley in a capsule, or does it have fillers?
The active ingredient is barley beta-glucan. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — modified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and calcium stearate — that help hold it together, which is standard for capsule supplements.
What's the difference between getting beta-glucan from food and from this supplement?
Beta-glucan from regular food amounts is well-studied and safe. This product is a concentrated supplement form, which hasn't been studied as much, so using it requires a bit more caution — but most people tolerate it fine.

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

Not sure if Barley Beta-Glucan is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Barley Beta-Glucan label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Barley Beta-Glucan’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Beta-glucans

Interacts with 293 drugs

Beta-glucans are natural fibers found in oats, barley, mushrooms, and yeast. The strongest evidence supports the oat and barley types for modestly lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, while...

Read the full Beta-glucans monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Barley Beta-Glucan's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 11 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Beta-glucans 11 references
  1. Katz, D. L., Nawaz, H., Boukhalil, J., Giannamore, V., Chan, W., Ahmadi, R., and Sarrel, P. M. Acute effects of oats and vitamin E on endothelial responses to ingested fat. Am.J.Prev.Med. 2001;20(2):124-129. PubMed
  2. Keenan, J. M., Pins, J. J., Frazel, C., Moran, A., and Turnquist, L. Oat ingestion reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with mild or borderline hypertension: a pilot trial. J.Fam.Pract. 2002;51(4):369.
  3. Maki, K. C., Galant, R., Samuel, P., Tesser, J., Witchger, M. S., Ribaya-Mercado, J. D., Blumberg, J. B., and Geohas, J. Effects of consuming foods containing oat beta-glucan on blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism and biomarkers of oxidative stress i
  4. Bergendiova, K., Tibenska, E., and Majtan, J. Pleuran (beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation, cellular immune response and respiratory tract infections in athletes. Eur.J.Appl.Physiol 2011;111(9):2033-2040.
  5. Talbott S, Talbott J. Effect of beta 1,3/1,6 glucan on respiratory tract infection symptoms and mood state in marathon athletes. J Sports Sci Med 2009;8(4):509-515.
  6. Feldman S, Schwartz HI Kalman DS Mayers A Kohrman HM Clemens R Krieger DR. Randomized phase II clinical trials of Wellmune WGP® for immune support during cold and flu season. The Journal of Applied Research 2009;9(1-2):30-42.
  7. McFarlin BK, Carpenter KC, Davidson T, McFarlin MA. Baker's yeast beta glucan supplementation increases salivary IgA and decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise. J Diet Suppl. 2013;10(3):171-83. PubMed
  8. Jesenak M, Urbancek S, Majtan J, Banovcin P, Hercogova J. ß-Glucan-based cream (containing pleuran isolated from pleurotus ostreatus) in supportive treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2016;27(4):351-4.
  9. Mah E, Kaden VN, Kelley KM, Liska DJ. Beverage containing dispersible yeast ß-glucan decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise: a randomized controlled trial. J Diet Suppl 2020;17(2):200-10. PubMed
  10. Zhong K, Liu Z, Lu Y, Xu X. Effects of yeast ß-glucans for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr. 2021. PubMed
  11. Cardenas FI, Mauguen A, Cheung IY, et al. Phase I trial of oral yeast-derived ß-glucan to enhance anti-GD2 immunotherapy of resistant high-risk neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021;13(24):6265. PubMed

See these in context on the Beta-glucans monograph →

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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