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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Brain Forza

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

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Brain Forza 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 certified organic Cordyceps mushroom. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: certified organic Cordyceps mushroom at 500 mg per capsule. Cordyceps is a fungus traditionally used in herbal medicine.

The capsule itself is vegetarian.

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: support athleticism and overall energy.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Fatigue, stamina, endurance, exercise capacity.
  • 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. It's rated possibly ineffective for athletic performance.

For sexual dysfunction, arrhythmia, asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate how well it works — the data we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for 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 generally well tolerated when used for up to a year, though evidence is limited and product quality varies widely. The most common side effects reported are abdominal discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea — these were uncommon in studies, and some people found symptoms eased by taking it after meals.

One case report linked a cordyceps-containing product to liver inflammation (hepatitis), though it's unclear whether cordyceps itself or a contaminant was responsible; the person recovered after stopping. 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 you take this, double-check if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin) — cordyceps may raise bleeding risk. Also check if you take immunosuppressants (after transplant or for autoimmune conditions) or testosterone therapy.

Have your doctor or pharmacist review your exact medications against this product.

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 interest you if you're exploring traditional remedies for energy or sexual function, though the evidence isn't strong yet. If you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or testosterone therapy, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the interactions are theoretical but documented.

Get personalized advice from your own healthcare provider about whether this supplement fits your health picture.

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 Jan 22, 2022.

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 Mushroom 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Brain Forza
Barcode (UPC) 683615350526
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 22, 2022
DSLD ID 259649
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), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), 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 Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza, 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:
3 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
683615350526
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Cordyceps mushroom1500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Capsules

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

Soy free Gluten free GMO free

Vegan

Pressure cooked twice at high heat.

Made in: California Made in the USA Mushroom grown in: USA

Certified organic by CCOF

Medicinal mushrooms

Mushroom powered ATP support for energy May support endurance & vascular health Stronger than extracts & HPLC tested

Our premium, lab-grown, certified organic, non-GMO, cordyceps mushrooms

Formula

EarthKosher

Our premium, lab-grown, certified organic, non-GMO, cordyceps mushrooms. Consistent every time and naturally containing approx. 80% polysaccharides and 31% beta glucans.

Cordyceps is the performance mushroom and may help support athleticism and overall energy.

Made with organic full spectrum cordyceps sinensis

Seals/Symbols

EarthKosher

CCOF Certified Organic

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.

General Statements

Tag us @BRAINFORZA Instagram Facebook Twitter

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule three times daily with water or, three capsules once daily with water.

Precautions

Manufactured in a facility that processes wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, shellfish and tree nut ingredients.

Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are currently taking any prescription medications or receiving medical treatment.

Discontinue use if unusual symptoms occur

Keep out of reach of children

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza

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

Serving size3 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Certified organic Cordyceps mushroom

Interacts with
249 drugs
1500 mg 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...

Certified organic Cordyceps mushroom monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetarian Capsules. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg?

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 Mushroom 500 mg 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.

certified organic Cordyceps mushroom3 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 Mushroom 500 mg, from the product label.

Brain Forza

See all Brain Forza products
Name
Brain Forza Labs Inc.
Street Address
6100 219th Street SW, Ste 480
City
Mountlake Terrace
State
WA
ZipCode
98043
Web Address
www.brainforza.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg by Brain Forza interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg 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 Mushroom 500 mg 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 breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to recommend cordyceps during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you decide whether it's appropriate for your situation.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common are abdominal discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea — but these were uncommon in studies. Taking it after a meal may help. One case linked a cordyceps product to liver inflammation, though it's unclear if cordyceps or a contaminant was responsible. If you notice jaundice, severe abdominal pain, or persistent digestive trouble, stop and talk to your doctor.
Does cordyceps actually work for athletic performance?
It's rated possibly ineffective for athletic performance based on the evidence we hold. The data doesn't support that claim.
What is cordyceps?
Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional herbal medicine. This product provides 500 mg of certified organic cordyceps per capsule.
Is this product tested for quality?
Product quality varies widely in the cordyceps market. While this product is labeled certified organic, evidence is limited on the quality and potency across different brands.

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

Not sure if Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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 Mushroom 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cordyceps Mushroom 500 mg'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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