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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Kala Health

Cordyceps label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 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 Kala Health 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-MRL. 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 Kala Health

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

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps by Kala Health

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 11, 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.

Kala Health Cordyceps contains one active ingredient: Cordyceps-MRL, a cordyceps extract. The product also includes inactive ingredients — rice and a capsule material (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) — to hold it together and deliver the dose.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Cordyceps product and its label doesn't state a use — see Cordyceps's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for what cordyceps actually does is mixed and limited. For athletic performance, the research suggests it's probably ineffective.

For sexual dysfunction, asthma, lung cancer, COPD, and heart rhythm problems, there simply isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works or doesn't. If you're considering cordyceps for one of those uses, talk with us about what the current science shows and whether it's worth a trial for you.

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 taken for up to a year, with most people experiencing no problems at all. When side effects do happen, they're usually mild — abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, or throat discomfort.

These are uncommon, and taking it with food can help reduce them. One very rare case report linked a cordyceps product to liver inflammation, though it's not clear whether cordyceps itself or a contaminant was to blame.

Because safety data is limited and product quality varies widely, cordyceps is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding — there simply isn't enough information to know it's safe.

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 cordyceps product, check with your pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate severity), immunosuppressants (Moderate severity), or testosterone therapy (Minor severity). No interactions are documented for other medication types, but that doesn't mean none exist — run your full medication list through the checker on this page to be sure.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cordyceps from Kala Health is generally well tolerated short-term, but it does interact with blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and testosterone therapy. If you take any of those, check with your pharmacist before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it for now — we don't have enough safety data.

And keep in mind the evidence for what it actually does is pretty thin.

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 25, 2024.

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 Kala Health
Barcode (UPC) 8719322754639
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2024
DSLD ID 311296
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Sugar 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 Kala Health, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
8719322754639
IngredientAmount% DV
Cordyceps-MRL1600 mg--

Other ingredients: Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Rice, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

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.
Formula

Kala Health Bio-Coryceps is the original Cordyceps-MRL, grown under sterile conditions on an organic certified farm in the EU.

Food Supplement, containing herbs.

MRL Cordyceps Sinensis MRL Mycelia

Formulation

Kala Health Bio-Coryceps is the original Cordyceps-MRL, grown under sterile conditions on an organic certified farm in the EU.

Contains no: yeast, sugar, starch, artificial flavors, colors or added preservatives.

NL-BIO-01 Non-EU Agriculture

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended dosage: Adults take one capsule twice daily, or as recommended. Best taken with a meal. Do not exceed recommended daily dosage.

Precautions

Do not exceed recommended daily dosage.

Storage: Store in a dark, dry place, out of reach of young children.

A food supplement should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.

Storage

Storage: Store in a dark, dry place, out of reach of young children.

FDA Statement of Identity

Food Supplement, containing herbs.

Seals/Symbols

NL-BIO-01 Non-EU Agriculture

General Statements

%RI = Reference Intake

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

See for yourself

Cordyceps by Kala Health 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 Kala Health

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

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

Cordyceps-MRL

Interacts with
249 drugs
1600 mg per serving Form: Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Brown Rice

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

Cordyceps-MRL monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Rice, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cordyceps by Kala Health 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-MRL 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-MRL

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-MRL3 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-MRL full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Kala Health

See all Kala Health products
Name
Kala Health BV- NL
Web Address
www.kalahealth.eu
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps by Kala Health: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps by Kala Health 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.
Can I take cordyceps if I'm on blood thinners like warfarin?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Cordyceps may theoretically increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, though this hasn't actually been reported in people yet. Your pharmacist can assess whether it's safe for your specific situation.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people tolerate cordyceps well. The uncommon side effects are abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, or throat discomfort — and taking it with food may help reduce these. There's also one rare case report of liver inflammation, though it's unclear whether that was from cordyceps or a contaminant.
Is cordyceps safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data to say either way. The safety data advises against it during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in those situations.
Does cordyceps actually work for athletic performance?
The research suggests it's probably ineffective for boosting athletic performance. If you're hoping to improve endurance or strength, there are better-studied approaches we can talk about.
Can I take cordyceps if I'm on immunosuppressants after a transplant?
You'll need to check with your pharmacist or doctor first. Cordyceps stimulates the immune system, which could interfere with immunosuppressant drugs you're taking to prevent rejection. Don't start it without clearing it first.

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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