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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Cs-4 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bamboo Pharmacy

Cordyceps Cs-4 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 Cs-4 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 Cs-4 is a dietary supplement by Bamboo Pharmacy 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 Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 . 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 Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy

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 23, 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: Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4, a fungus (also called cordyceps) traditionally used in herbal medicine. The capsule itself contains modified cellulose, water, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients—these are common capsule fillers and binders.

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 cordyceps on most conditions is thin. For athletic performance, it's rated possibly ineffective.

For sexual dysfunction, lung health (asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis), and even arrhythmia, the evidence isn't established enough to rate it one way or the other. The data we hold doesn't support strong claims about what this ingredient can do.

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, though safety data overall is limited and product quality varies widely. The most common side effects are mild—abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, and throat discomfort—and these were uncommon in clinical trials; taking it with food may help.

There's one case report of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in someone taking a cordyceps product, but it's unclear whether cordyceps caused it or a contaminant did. Safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding is too sparse to know either way; talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice before using it in either circumstance.

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, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin for clotting prevention)—there's a Moderate risk of increased bleeding. Also check if you take immunosuppressants like cyclosporine, or testosterone medications or supplements.

No other major drug types are flagged in our data, but run your full medication list through the search tool 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 Cs-4 may be of interest to someone exploring traditional remedies for energy or stamina, but evidence for most of its claimed benefits is weak or absent. If you take blood thinners, immune-suppressing drugs, or testosterone therapy, check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist before starting—the interaction risks are real, even if not yet confirmed in people.

The supplement is generally well tolerated short-term, but quality and safety data are both limited.

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 Oct 24, 2023.

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 Cs-4, straight from the product label.

Brand Bamboo Pharmacy
Barcode (UPC) 739934830420
Net contents 100 Capsule(s); 49 Gram(s); 1.73 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2023
DSLD ID 298511
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, 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 Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy, 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
50
UPC/BARCODE
739934830420
IngredientAmount% DV
Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 800 mg--

Other ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Water, Magnesium 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.
Formulation

Bamboo Pharmacy Cordyceps Cs-4 is the dried powder of Paecilomyces hepiali chen fungus isolated from Cordyceps sinensis (berk) Sacc and cultured through submerged fermentation. Cordyceps Cs-4 has been widely researched, and shown to have the same powerful adaptogenic qualities and effectiveness as wild Cordyceps. Moreover, being lab grown, Cordyceps Cs-4 is vegan, ecologically sustainable, and conflict-free for environmentally conscious health support.

Bamboo Pharmacy Quality Promise Pharmacopoeia grade, responsibly sourced herbs Quality Tested

Drug Free Alcohol Free No Dyes

cGMP Compliant Made at a cGMP certified facility

Fermented Cordyceps Powder in Veggie Caps

US owned & operated since 1969 Manufactured in China exclusively for Mayway

Storage

Seal tightly. Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate.

General Statements

Please Recycle

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Take 2 capsules daily or as directed by your heath care practitioner

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children

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

See for yourself

Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy label

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

Cordyceps Cs-4 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 Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy

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 container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4

Interacts with
249 drugs
800 mg per serving Form: Cordyceps sinensis

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

Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Water, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cordyceps Cs-4?

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

Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 249

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Cordyceps Cs-4 interact with 249 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Cordyceps Cs-4 interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cordyceps Cs-4 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.

Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 3 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
Paecilomyces hepiali Cs-4 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cordyceps Cs-4, from the product label.

Bamboo Pharmacy

See all Bamboo Pharmacy products
Name
Mayway Herbs a US owned & operated family business since 1969
City
Oakland
State
CA
ZipCode
94607
Phone Number
1-800-262-9929
Web Address
www.plumflowerherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps Cs-4 by Bamboo Pharmacy interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cordyceps Cs-4 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 Cs-4 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 work for athletic performance or energy?
For athletic performance, it's rated possibly ineffective based on the data we hold. For energy or sexual dysfunction, the evidence isn't strong enough to say either way. So no, we can't claim it works for those purposes based on what's documented.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are mild and uncommon—abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, and throat discomfort. Taking it with food may help reduce these. One case report linked a cordyceps product to liver inflammation, but it's unclear whether cordyceps or a contaminant caused it.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The safety data is too thin to say either way. Because of that gap in knowledge, it's safest to avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation.
Can I take it with my blood thinner?
Possibly not without risk. Cordyceps may increase bleeding when used with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. This is a Moderate-severity concern, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them—don't start the supplement on your own.
How long can I safely take cordyceps?
The evidence supports general tolerance for up to about a year. Beyond that, we don't have solid safety data, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're thinking of taking it long-term.

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

Not sure if Cordyceps Cs-4 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 Cs-4 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cordyceps Cs-4’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 Cs-4'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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