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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms

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 Host Defense Organic Mushrooms 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. 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 Host Defense Organic Mushrooms

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms

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, a mushroom extract. The inactive ingredients are freeze-dried myceliated brown rice and pullulan (a capsule material).

Does it work?

No specific claim
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
General wellness

This Cordyceps product is marketed for general wellness, not a specific health condition, so there's no single claim to grade — see Cordyceps's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“Energy support”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.

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

For sexual dysfunction, arrhythmia, asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works.

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 for short-term use, though long-term safety data is limited and product quality varies widely. The most common side effects from clinical research were uncommon and included abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and throat discomfort—often reduced if you take it after eating.

There's one case report of liver inflammation possibly linked to a cordyceps product, though it's unclear whether cordyceps or a contaminant caused it. There isn't enough safety data to recommend cordyceps during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in those situations.

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 take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or clopidogrel), immunosuppressants, or testosterone supplements. Altogether, these interactions span 249 individual medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula marketed for general wellness rather than one specific gradeable purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cordyceps is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but the evidence for what it actually does is weak or missing. If you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or testosterone, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it.

For most other people, the main concern is that we simply don't have strong proof it works for the conditions it's marketed for.

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 Sep 24, 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 Host Defense Organic Mushrooms
Net contents 120 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2021
DSLD ID 255136
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Host Defense Organic Mushrooms, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Cordyceps1 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: freeze-dried myceliated Brown Rice, Pullulan

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.
Formulation

The Source Full spectrum of active constituents Grown & processed in the USA Purity assured Freeze dried to preserve nutrients Bioavailable, heat activated Optimized, peak life cycle selection P Value Certified for Maximum Growth

Non GMO Project Verified Nongmoproject.org

Energy Support

Producer Certified Organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

General Statements

From the Forest, to our Farm, to you

About the Founder Paul Stamets believes in the power of Mycelium, the network of thread-like cells that produces mushrooms. Paul wants everyone to share in the benefits from the Host Defense line of products. Mentored by the greatest mycologists of our time, he integrates and expands upon the knowledge of our ancestors.

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Project Verified Nongmoproject.org

Producer Certified Organic Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

Formula

Host Defense Cordyceps Himalayan mountain peoples have long used Cordyceps during strenuous, high altitude activities. Recently, professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts have discovered that Cordyceps may support increased oxygen uptake and higher endurance levels. People have also found that Cordyceps supports healthy sexual functioning.

Made with U.S. Grown Organic Mushrooms

Host Defense Cordyceps uses activated, freeze-dried, Certified Organic mushroom mycelium, with a full spectrum of constituents: polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylane, glucose, xylose, galactose and cordycepic acid), glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids and other myco-nutrients, which are essential for Supporting Natural Immunity.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions for use: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules once per day. Can be taken with food or without, on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare advisor.

Precautions

Consult your healthcare advisor regarding the use of this product during pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children.

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.

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

See for yourself

Cordyceps by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms 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 Host Defense Organic Mushrooms

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

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

Cordyceps

Interacts with
249 drugs
1 Gram(s) per serving

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

Cordyceps monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Freeze-dried myceliated Brown Rice, Pullulan. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cordyceps by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms 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 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

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.

Cordyceps3 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 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Host Defense Organic Mushrooms

See all Host Defense Organic Mushrooms products
Name
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Street Address
PO Box 7634
City
Olympia
State
WA
ZipCode
98507
Web Address
HOSTDEFENSE.COM
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps by Host Defense Organic Mushrooms 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.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people who took cordyceps in studies had no problems. When side effects did happen, they were mild—mainly abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, or throat discomfort. Taking it after eating often reduced these. If you notice anything unusual, especially yellowing of the skin or eyes, stop and talk to your doctor.
Is cordyceps safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data, so it's best avoided in both cases. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your individual situation if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Does cordyceps actually improve athletic performance?
The evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective for that purpose. There's not strong proof it makes a meaningful difference.
What is cordyceps and why is it in this product?
Cordyceps is a mushroom extract. It's marketed for athletic performance, sexual function, and several respiratory and heart conditions, though the evidence for most of these uses is limited or absent.
How long can I safely take this?
Research shows cordyceps is generally well tolerated for up to one year. Beyond that, we don't have solid safety data. Product quality also varies widely, so talk with your pharmacist about what brand and duration makes sense for you.

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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