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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Moon Juice

Powder Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Cordyceps is a dietary supplement by Moon Juice 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 organic Cordyceps Mushroom extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps by Moon Juice

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Moon Juice Cordyceps contains one active ingredient: an organic cordyceps mushroom extract. Cordyceps is a fungus traditionally used to support energy and stamina.

This product is a powder form with no other inactive ingredients listed.

Does it work?

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

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

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: increase drive, stamina, and reduce fatigue.
  • We looked for evidence on: Fatigue, Athletic performance, Low energy, Endurance.
  • 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 largely inconclusive. For athletic performance, it's rated possibly ineffective — meaning the data doesn't support real benefits.

For sexual function, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and lung cancer, there's not enough reliable evidence to rate it either way. In short, we don't have strong proof this ingredient works for any of these uses.

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 appears to be generally well tolerated when used for up to a year, though the overall safety evidence is limited and product quality varies widely. The most common side effects are mild — abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and throat discomfort — and these were uncommon in studies; taking it with food may help reduce them.

There's one case report of liver inflammation (hepatitis) possibly linked to a cordyceps product, but it's unclear whether cordyceps itself was responsible or a contaminant was to blame. During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, so it's best avoided.

The same applies to breastfeeding — there isn't enough information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.

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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin) — cordyceps may theoretically increase bleeding risk. Also flag immunosuppressants (like cyclosporine, mycophenolate, or drugs after transplant) and any testosterone products.

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 with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Moon Juice Cordyceps might appeal to you if you're looking for an immune-supporting mushroom supplement, though the evidence for its specific benefits is weak. If you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or testosterone products, you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist first — the interactions are theoretical but documented.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it until you've talked it over with your provider.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2020.

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 Moon Juice
Net contents 1.3 Ounce(s); 36 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2020
DSLD ID 220409
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Powder
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 Cordyceps by Moon Juice, 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 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Gram(s)
Servings per container
36
IngredientAmount% DV
organic Cordyceps Mushroom extract1 Gram(s)--

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

Energy food

Formula

Bioactive supershroom

An athletic adaptogen known to increase drive, stamina, and reduce fatigue

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Cordyceps by Moon Juice label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Cordyceps by Moon Juice

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

Serving size1 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container36 Amounts shown are per serving.

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom extract

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...

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom extract monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Cordyceps by Moon Juice 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

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.

organic Cordyceps Mushroom 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
The maker

Brand information

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

Moon Juice

See all Moon Juice products
Name
Moon Juice
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps by Moon Juice: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps by Moon Juice 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 pregnant or nursing?
Not without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. There isn't enough safety data for either pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best avoided unless your provider says otherwise.
What are the side effects?
Most common are mild: abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and throat discomfort — and these were uncommon in studies. Taking it with food may help. One case of liver inflammation has been reported, though it's unclear if cordyceps was the cause.
Does cordyceps actually improve athletic performance?
The evidence says it's possibly ineffective for athletic performance — so no real benefit backed by research. For sexual function and other uses listed on the label, there simply isn't enough reliable evidence to know if it works.
Is cordyceps safe to use long-term?
It's been shown to be generally well tolerated for up to one year, but the overall safety evidence is limited. Product quality varies widely, so you're relying on the brand's standards.
Will this interact with my blood thinner?
Possibly. Cordyceps may theoretically increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, though it hasn't been reported in humans yet. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — don't skip this step.

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.

Cordyceps label
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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