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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BIOVEA

Cordyceps label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
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 Cordyceps 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

Cordyceps is a dietary supplement by BIOVEA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for fatigue and low energy, athletic performance and stamina, respiratory and lung support.Based on those ingredients, 249 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cordyceps (mycelium) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Cordyceps by BIOVEA

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cordyceps by BIOVEA — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps by BIOVEA

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: cordyceps mycelium extract. Cordyceps is a fungus traditionally used in herbal medicine, and this extract form is derived from the mycelium (the root-like part of the fungus).

The capsules also hold inactive ingredients — hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, rice flour, vegetable magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — which are fillers and binders that hold the capsule together.

Does it work?

Leans against
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
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Energy, stamina, and athletic performance support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Fatigue, endurance, stamina, oxygen utilization.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cordyceps is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cordyceps is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Fatigue.

The evidence for cordyceps is mixed and often limited. For athletic performance, the data suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For sexual dysfunction, asthma, arrhythmia, COPD, and lung cancer, there isn't enough reliable evidence to know whether it works or not. If you're thinking about cordyceps for one of these uses, talk with your doctor about whether the current evidence supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cordyceps

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.

Cordyceps is generally well tolerated when used for up to a year, though good safety data is limited and supplement quality varies widely. The most common side effects — abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and throat discomfort — were uncommon in studies and often eased by taking cordyceps with food.

There is one case report of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in a person taking a cordyceps-containing product, though it's unclear whether cordyceps itself or a contaminant caused it. Because safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not enough to know either way, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using cordyceps if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cordyceps

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 — Cordyceps.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 249 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.

Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin), immune-suppressing medications (like cyclosporine), or testosterone therapy. These are Moderate-severity interactions; cordyceps may increase bleeding risk or interfere with how well your immunosuppressants or testosterone work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cordyceps might be worth considering if you're curious about traditional herbal support, but the evidence for what it actually does is sparse. The bigger worry is interaction with blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and testosterone — if you take any of those, this product isn't a question to settle on your own.

Check your medications with the tool below and talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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 Jul 27, 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 Cordyceps, straight from the product label.

Brand BIOVEA
Barcode (UPC) 818423021836
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 27, 2021
DSLD ID 249029
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
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 Cordyceps by BIOVEA, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
818423021836
IngredientAmount% DV
Cordyceps (mycelium) extract900 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Rice Flour, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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.
Seals/Symbols

GMP Compliant VG Vegan

Formulation

VG Vegan

Gluten free Non-GMO

Premium quality guaranteed since 2001. BIOVEA is committed to product quality to support you and your family's wellness goals. Because we feel so strongly about the quality, potency and purity of our products, we 100% guarantee your satisfaction with every purchase.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Daily Intake: Take 2 capsules 2-4 times daily, between meals.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant or lactating, consult a healthcare professional before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use this product if the safety seal on the bottle is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Guaranteed premium quality

Endurance

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Formula

450 mg per capsule

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

See for yourself

Cordyceps by BIOVEA label

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

Cordyceps 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 Cordyceps by BIOVEA

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

Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Cordyceps (mycelium) extract

Interacts with
249 drugs
900 mg per serving Form: Adenosine, Cordycepic Acid

Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for energy, exercise performance, and lung and immune support. Human research is limited an...

Cordyceps (mycelium) extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Cordyceps by BIOVEA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cordyceps?

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
249Drugs
241 Moderate 8 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cordyceps (mycelium) extract 249

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Cordyceps interact with 249 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Cordyceps interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cordyceps (mycelium) extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cordyceps 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.

Cordyceps (mycelium) extract3 drug types · 249 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, cordyceps may increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
In vitro and animal research suggests that cordyceps extract inhibits platelet aggregation and function. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that cordyceps stimulates the immune system. However, limited clinical research suggests that taking cordyceps may lower the necessary therapeutic dose of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, which suggests that cordyceps may have an immunosuppressive effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Testosterone

Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps and testosterone might have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that cordyceps can increase testosterone levels. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cordyceps (mycelium) extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cordyceps, from the product label.

BIOVEA

See all BIOVEA products
Name
BIOVEA
Street Address
9160 E. Bahia Dr.
City
Scottsdale
State
AZ
ZipCode
85260
Web Address
www.biovea.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps by BIOVEA: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps by BIOVEA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cordyceps has a known interaction with 249 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Cordyceps 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 cordyceps actually improve athletic performance?
The evidence suggests it's probably not effective for athletic performance. If boosting exercise capacity is your goal, you'll want to look at what your doctor or a sports medicine specialist recommends instead.
Can I take cordyceps while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. The data advises against it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether cordyceps is right for you in those situations.
What side effects might I notice?
Stomach issues — constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort — are most common, though they're uncommon overall and often ease if you take it with food. Dry mouth and throat discomfort have been reported too. Cordyceps seems well tolerated up to a year, but good long-term safety data is limited.
Is cordyceps safe for sexual dysfunction?
There isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether cordyceps helps with sexual dysfunction. If this is a concern, talk with your doctor about what evidence-based options might work for you.
What exactly is in this capsule besides the active ingredient?
The capsule contains inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (the capsule itself), rice flour, vegetable magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. These are fillers and binders — they hold the capsule together but don't do the work.

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

Not sure if Cordyceps is safe with your meds?

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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.

Cordyceps label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cordyceps’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Cordyceps

Interacts with 249 drugs

Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for energy, exercise performance, and lung and immune support. Human research is limited and mostly low quality, so its benefits ar...

Read the full Cordyceps monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cordyceps'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 14 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.

Cordyceps 14 references
  1. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis: part I. J Altern Complement Med 1998;4:289-303.
  2. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis: part II. J Altern Complement Med 1998;4:429-57.
  3. Chen YJ, Shiao MS, Lee SS, Wang SY. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic U937 cells. Life Sci 1997;60:2349-59. PubMed
  4. Zhao Y. [Inhibitory effects of alcoholic extract of Cordyceps sinensis on abdominal aortic thrombus formation in rabbits]. Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih (Taipei) 1991;71:612-5, 42.
  5. Chen GZ, Chen GL, Sun T, et al. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on murine T lymphocyte subsets. Chin Med J (English) 1991;104:4-8.
  6. Zhu XY, Yu HY. [Immunosuppressive effect of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on cellular immune response]. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1990;10:485-7, 454.
  7. Hsu, C. C., Huang, Y. L., Tsai, S. J., Sheu, C. C., and Huang, B. M. In vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci 9-5-2003;73(16):2127-2136. PubMed
  8. Ikumoto, T., Sasaki, S., Namba, H., Toyama, R., Moritoki, H., and Mouri, T. [Physiologically active compounds in the extracts from tochukaso and cultured mycelia of Cordyceps and Isaria]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1991;111(9):504-509. PubMed
  9. Wu, T. N., Yang, K. C., Wang, C. M., Lai, J. S., Ko, K. N., Chang, P. Y., and Liou, S. H. Lead poisoning caused by contaminated Cordyceps, a Chinese herbal medicine: two case reports. Sci.Total Environ. 4-5-1996;182(1-3):193-195. PubMed
  10. Hong T, Zhang M, Fan J. Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for kidney transplant recipients (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(10):CD009698. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009698.pub2.
  11. Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Tung YS, Kwan TH, Mok CK, Leung C, Chan LS. Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(12):CD008353. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008353.pub2. PubMed
  12. Bee Yean O, Zoriah A. Efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis as an adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. J Tradit Chin Med. 2019;39(1):1-14.
  13. Thurian D, Montani M, Stickel F. Drug-induced, mixed-type hepatitis following ingestion of Cordyceps sinensis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2022;60(2):115-120. PubMed
  14. Yu X, Mao Y, Shergis JL, et al. Effectiveness and safety of oral Cordyceps sinensis on stable COPD of GOLD stages 2-3: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:4903671.

See these in context on the Cordyceps 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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