Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Purity Products

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus is a dietary supplement by Purity Products with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and cognitive support, anxiety and stress, adhd symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 1,213 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bacopa55 Bacopa monniera extract, Schisandra (Schizandra chinensis) extract, Cereboost American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products

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

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 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus contains four active ingredients. Bacopa55 is a bacopa extract traditionally used for memory and focus.

Cereboost American Ginseng is included for immune and energy support. Schisandra is an adaptogenic extract from traditional Chinese medicine.

BioVinca is vinpocetine, a compound extracted from the periwinkle plant. The product also contains inactive ingredients: rice flour, vegetable cellulose, and vegetable stearate.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Supports healthy brain function, focus and memory.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Cognitive function, Cognitive impairment, Dementia, Memory, Mental clarity — and 3 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Vinpocetine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Dementia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vinpocetine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related cognitive decline, Memory.
  • Also on file: Bacopa is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cognitive function, Cognitive impairment.

The evidence on this product's ingredients is limited. Bacopa's effectiveness for Alzheimer disease, sexual dysfunction, ADHD, back pain, and cognitive function is rated insufficient — we don't have reliable data to say whether it works for these uses.

American Ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections, but insufficient evidence exists for anemia of chronic disease and breast cancer. Schisandra's effectiveness is insufficient across asthma, athletic performance, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, and hepatitis.

Vinpocetine is possibly effective for dementia, but insufficient evidence exists for tinnitus, motion sickness, stroke, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Altogether, the evidence to support this product for cognitive focus is not well established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bacopa American Ginseng Schisandra Vinpocetine

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 4 of the 4 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 4.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 4 of 4.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bacopa is generally well tolerated, but long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects are abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dry mouth, headache, and nausea — gastrointestinal side effects occur in 12% to 30% of users.

It's also been reported to cause drowsiness, insomnia, and vivid dreams. American Ginseng is generally well tolerated short-term but long-term safety isn't well studied.

Headache is the main reported side effect. Schisandra is generally well tolerated but limited safety data exist; common side effects include decreased appetite, heartburn, stomach upset, and urticaria (hives).

Vinpocetine is generally well tolerated short-term; common side effects include dizziness, headache, anxiety, flushing, gastric discomfort, and sleep disturbances. Rarely, seizures and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) have been reported with vinpocetine.

Bacopa, schisandra, and vinpocetine are not recommended during pregnancy — traditional use and lab research suggest safety concerns. American Ginseng is possibly unsafe in pregnancy.

For breastfeeding, safety information is insufficient for all four ingredients; talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bacopa American Ginseng Schisandra Vinpocetine

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 4 of the 4 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Vinpocetine, Schisandra, Bacopa, American Ginseng.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,214 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.

Double-check the following medication types with our checker before you start: warfarin or other blood thinners, diabetes medications, anticholinergic or cholinergic drugs, immunosuppressants, MAOIs, and any drug metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A4 enzymes. The product has Moderate interactions with tacrolimus and midazolam specifically — raise these with your pharmacist.

If you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, vinpocetine may increase your bleeding risk.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is marketed for focus and cognitive support, but the evidence for its ingredients is limited. If you take any prescription medications — especially blood thinners, diabetes drugs, tacrolimus, midazolam, anticholinergic or cholinergic drugs, immunosuppressants, or MAOIs — check your medications with our tool before starting.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first. Most people tolerate the ingredients reasonably well, though gastrointestinal side effects and headaches are common.

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

Assessment coverage: 4 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 25, 2021.

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 Chris Kilham's Vital Focus, straight from the product label.

Brand Purity Products
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2021
DSLD ID 243437
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) 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 Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products, 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:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
Bacopa55 Bacopa monniera extract150 mg--
Cereboost American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract200 mg--
Schisandra (Schizandra chinensis) extract50 mg--
BioVinca Vinpocetine10 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable 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

Intelligent nutritional solutions

Premium grade supplements Since 1993

Formula

Bacopa55 Cereboost Schisandra BioVinca

Formulation

Supports healthy brain function Supports focus and working memory

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules daily. Best results obtained with daily use.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Cereboost is a registered trademark of Naturex. Bacopa55 is a registered trademark of Laila Nutra, LLC, exclusively disributed by PL Thomas. US Patent 6,833,143.

See for yourself

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Bacopa55 Bacopa monniera extract

Interacts with
930 drugs
150 mg per serving

Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb most often used for memory and thinking. Some small studies suggest it may modestly help memory when taken regularly for s...

Bacopa55 Bacopa monniera extract monograph & interactions
200 mg per serving

American ginseng is an herbal root used as an 'adaptogen' to support energy, stress, immune function, and blood sugar. Some uses—such as reducing the...

Cereboost American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract monograph & interactions
50 mg per serving

Schisandra is a traditional Chinese medicine berry used as an adaptogen for stress, fatigue, and liver support. Human evidence is limited and most cla...

Schisandra (Schizandra chinensis) extract monograph & interactions

BioVinca Vinpocetine

Interacts with
208 drugs
10 mg per serving

Vinpocetine is a lab-made compound based on a chemical from the periwinkle plant, and it is marketed mainly for memory and brain health. The evidence...

BioVinca Vinpocetine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Chris Kilham's Vital Focus?

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
1,213Drugs
2 Major 1,198 Moderate 13 Minor

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Chris Kilham's Vital Focus with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bacopa55 Bacopa monniera extract8 drug types · 930 drugs

Anticholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use might decrease the effectiveness of both agents.
Bacopa seems to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels, which could counteract the effects of anticholinergic drugs. Similarly, anticholinergic drugs might counteract the cholinergic effects of bacopa.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cevimeline (Evoxac)

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the effects and adverse effects of cevimeline.
In one case, a 58-year-old female taking cevimeline long-term for Sjogren syndrome experienced hyperhidrosis, malaise, nausea, and tachycardia shortly after taking a single dose of bacopa. Symptoms resolved after two days. Cevimeline is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP3A4, and researchers theorize that bacopa may have inhibited these isoenzymes. However, it is unclear if bacopa causes clinically significant inhibition of either CYP2D6 or CYP3A4.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of bacopa with other cholinergic drugs might have additive effects.
Bacopa seems to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, this could result in additive cholinergic effects when used with cholinergic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP1A2 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence shows that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP1A2, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP2C19 enzymes. It is not known whether this is clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Research on the effect of bacopa extracts on CYP2C9 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP2C9, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP3A4 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and competitively inhibit CYP3A4, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, bacopa might have additive effects when used with thyroid hormone.
Animal research suggests that bacopa increases thyroxine (T4) levels in mice by about 40%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Schisandra (Schizandra chinensis) extract12 drug types · 803 drugs

Cyclophosphamide

Theoretically, schisandra might increase the levels and clinical effects of cyclophosphamide.
In vitro research shows that schisandra increases the concentration of cyclophosphamide, likely through inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4. After multiple doses of the schisandra constituents schisandrin A and schisantherin A, the maximum concentration of cyclophosphamide was increased by 7% and 75%, respectively, while the overall exposure to cyclophosphamide was increased by 29% and 301%, respectively.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of cyclosporine.
A small observational study in children with aplastic anemia found that taking schisandra with cyclosporine increased cyclosporine trough levels by 93% without increasing the risk of adverse events. However, the dose of cyclosporine was reduced in 9% of children to maintain appropriate cyclosporine blood concentrations.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, schisandra might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that schisandra inhibits CYP2C19, and animal research shows that schisandra increases the concentration of voriconazole, a CYP2C19 substrate. Theoretically, schisandra may also inhibit the metabolism of other CYP2C19 substrates. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, schisandra might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro and animal research suggests that schisandra induces CYP2C9 enzymes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Most clinical and laboratory research shows that schisandra, administered either as a single dose or up to twice daily for 14 days, inhibits CYP3A4 and increases the concentration of CYP3A4 substrates such as cyclophosphamide, midazolam, tacrolimus, and talinolol. Although one in vitro and animal study shows that schisandra may induce CYP3A4 metabolism, this effect appears to be overpowered by schisandra's CYP3A4 inhibitory activity and has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Midazolam (Versed)

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of midazolam.
A small pharmacokinetic study in healthy adults shows that taking schisandra extract (Hezheng Pharmaceutical Co.) containing deoxyschizandrin 33.75 mg twice daily for 8 days and a single dose of midazolam 15 mg on day 8 increases the overall exposure to midazolam by about 119%, increases the peak plasma level of midazolam by 86%, and decreases midazolam clearance by about 52%. This effect has been attributed to inhibition of CYP3A4 by schisandra.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Schisandra might increase the levels and clinical effects of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research shows that schisandra extracts and constituents such as schisandrin B inhibit P-glycoprotein mediated efflux in intestinal cells and in P-glycoprotein over-expressing cell lines. Additionally, a small clinical study shows that schisandra increases the peak concentration and overall exposure to talinolol, a P-glycoprotein probe substrate. Theoretically, schisandra might inhibit the efflux of other P-glycoprotein substrates.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sirolimus (Rapamune)

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of sirolimus.
A small pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that taking 3 capsules of schisandra (Hezheng Pharmaceutical Company) containing a total of 33.75 mg deoxyschizandrin twice daily for 13 days and then taking a single dose of sirolimus 2 mg increases the overall exposure and peak level of sirolimus by two-fold. This effect is thought to be due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 by schisandra, as well as possible inhibition of the P-glycoprotein drug transporter.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of tacrolimus.
Clinical research in healthy children and adults, transplant patients, and patients with nephrotic syndrome and various rheumatic immunologic disorders shows that taking schisandra with tacrolimus increases tacrolimus peak levels by 183% to 268%, prolongs or delays time to peak tacrolimus concentrations, increases overall exposure to tacrolimus by 126% to 343%, and decreases tacrolimus clearance by 19% to 73%. This effect is thought to be due to inhibition of P-glycoprotein drug transporter and CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 by schisandra. Some clinical and observational studies suggest that schisandra increases tacrolimus levels similarly in both expressors and non-expressors of CYP3A5, while other studies suggest it does so to a greater degree in CYP3A5 expressors than non-expressors. Animal research suggests that the greatest increase in tacrolimus levels occurs when schisandra is taken either concomitantly or up to 2 hours before tacrolimus, and clinical and observational research in humans suggests that schisandra may increase whole blood levels of tacrolimus and decrease clearance of tacrolimus in a dose-dependent manner.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Talinolol

Schisandra can increase the levels and clinical effects of talinolol.
A small pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that taking schisandra extract 300 mg twice daily for 14 days with a single dose of talinolol 100 mg on day 14 increases the peak talinolol level by 51% and the overall exposure to talinolol by 47%. This effect is thought to be due to the possible inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein by schisandra. tly.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Voriconazole (Vfend)

Theoretically, schisandra might increase the levels and clinical effects of voriconazole.
Animal research shows that oral schisandra given daily for 1 or 14 days increases levels of intravenously administered voriconazole, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 substrate. This effect is thought to be due to inhibition of CYP2C19 by schisandra. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, schisandra might decrease the levels and clinical effects of warfarin.
Animal research suggests that oral schisandra extract, given daily for 6 days, reduces levels of intravenously administered warfarin. This effect might be due to the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 metabolism by schisandra. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cereboost American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract4 drug types · 217 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

American ginseng seems to decrease the effectiveness of warfarin therapy.
Healthy patients receiving warfarin 5 mg daily, who also take American ginseng 1 gram twice daily, seem to have a significantly reduced international normalized ratio (INR).

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
American ginseng seems to lower postprandial blood glucose. Theoretically, concomitant use with antidiabetes drugs might enhance blood glucose lowering effects and possibly cause hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
American ginseng seems to stimulate immune function. Theoretically, American ginseng might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, American ginseng can interfere with MAOI therapy.
There is one case report of insomnia, headache, and tremors when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine (Nardil), an MAOI. There is also one case report of hypomania when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine. Theoretically, American ginseng may interfere with MAOI therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

BioVinca Vinpocetine3 drug types · 208 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Vinpocetine might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Clinical research shows that vinpocetine decreases red blood cell aggregation, as well as plasma and whole blood viscosity. This effect has been seen with intravenous vinpocetine 1 mg/kg and oral vinpocetine 30 mg daily. Vinpocetine also seems to have antiplatelet effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, vinpocetine might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that vinpocetine weakly inhibits CYP2C9. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Vinpocetine might modestly increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Clinical research shows that the combination of warfarin and vinpocetine leads to slight increases in prothrombin time and the area under the concentration curve for warfarin. However, these increases were small, and researchers suggest that this interaction is not likely to be clinically significant in most patients.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Chris Kilham's Vital Focus, from the product label.

Purity Products

See all Purity Products products
Name
Purity Products
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products: Common Questions

Does Chris Kilham's Vital Focus by Purity Products interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Chris Kilham's Vital Focus has a known interaction with 1,213 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Chris Kilham's Vital Focus contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 this supplement work for memory and focus?
The evidence isn't clear. Bacopa, schisandra, and vinpocetine each have insufficient evidence for most cognitive uses in our data. Vinpocetine is possibly effective for dementia, but we don't have strong proof that this product improves healthy memory or focus.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
No — all four ingredients carry safety concerns in pregnancy. Bacopa, schisandra, and vinpocetine are best avoided, and American Ginseng is possibly unsafe. Talk with your doctor before considering it.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common are gastrointestinal — abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and stomach upset (especially with bacopa and schisandra). Headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and sleep disturbances are also reported. Rarely, vinpocetine can cause seizures or irregular heartbeat.
Is this supplement safe to take long-term?
The data on long-term use are limited for all four ingredients. Short-term use is generally well tolerated, but we don't have good evidence for safety over months or years.
What is vinpocetine used for?
Vinpocetine is included to support blood flow and cognitive function. It's possibly effective for dementia, but evidence for other brain-related uses is insufficient.

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

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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.

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Chris Kilham's Vital Focus'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 77 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.

Bacopa 12 references
  1. Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, et al. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 2001;156:481-4..
  2. Yadav SK, Jain AK, Tripathi SN, Gupta JP. Irritable bowel syndrome: therapeutic evaluation of indigenous drugs. Indian J Med Res 1989;90:496-503..
  3. Morgan A, Stevens J. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16:753-9.
  4. Kar, A., Panda, S., and Bharti, S. Relative efficacy of three medicinal plant extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002;81(2):281-285. PubMed
  5. Mukherjee, G. D. and Dey, C. D. Clinical trial on Brahmi. I. J.Exp.Med.Sci. 1966;10(1):5-11.
  6. Kar A, Pandit S, Mukherjee K, Bahadur S, Mukherjee PK. Safety assessment of selected medicinal food plants used in Ayurveda through CYP450 enzyme inhibition study. J Sci Food Agric 2017;97(1):333-40. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7739. PubMed
  7. Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2014;151(1):528-35. PubMed
  8. Ramasamy S, Kiew LV, Chung LY. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and constituents. Molecules 2014;19(2):2588-601. PubMed
  9. Prabhakar S, Vishnu VY, Modi M, et al. Efficacy of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) and donepezil in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a randomized double-blind parallel phase 2b study. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2020;23(6):767-73. PubMed
  10. Acquarulo B, Tandon P, Macica CM. Suspected cholinergic toxicity due to cevimeline hydrochloride and Bacopa monnieri interaction: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2022;16(1):253. PubMed
  11. Keegan AP, Stough C, Paris D, et al. Bacopa monnieri supplementation has no effect on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels but beneficially modulates nuclear factor kappa B and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein levels in healthy elderl
  12. Yaworski AM, Blyumin M, Chang T, Mammen AL, Greene M. Necrotizing myopathy with elevated anti-HMGCR antibodies following exposure to the supplement Bacopa. Muscle Nerve 2023;67(2):E1-E3.

See these in context on the Bacopa monograph →

American Ginseng 12 references
  1. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
  2. Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
  3. Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
  4. Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo VY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1009-13. PubMed
  5. Vuksan V, Stavro MP, Sievenpiper JL, et al. Similar postprandial glycemic reductions with escalation of dose and administration time of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1221-6. PubMed
  6. Chan LY, Chiu PY, Lau TK. An in-vitro study of ginsenoside Rb(1)-induced teratogenicity using a whole rat embryo culture model. Hum Reprod 2003;18:2166-8..
  7. McElhaney JE, Gravenstein S, Cole SK, et al. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Proprietary Extract of North American Ginseng (CVT-E002) to Prevent Acute Respiratory Illness in Institutionalized Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004;52:13-9. PubMed
  8. Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, et al. American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2004;141:23-7.
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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.

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