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Dietary supplement

Cordyceps PS Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Health Concerns

Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Cordyceps PS is a dietary supplement by Health Concerns 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.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns

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.

Cordyceps PS contains one active ingredient: cordyceps, a fungus traditionally used in herbal medicine. The tablet also contains inactive ingredients—vegetable gum, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, cellulose, and pharmaceutical glaze—that serve as binders, fillers, and coating.

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 is mixed. For athletic performance, the data suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For sexual dysfunction, asthma, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and lung cancer, there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. You'd want to talk with your doctor if you're considering it 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 is generally well tolerated when used short-term—up to 1 year in studies. The most common side effects are stomach-related: abdominal discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea, though these are uncommon.

A few people have also reported dry mouth and throat discomfort. Taking it with food may reduce these effects.

There's one case report of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in a person taking a cordyceps product, but it's unclear whether cordyceps caused it or a contaminant did. Overall, evidence on long-term safety is limited, and product quality varies widely across brands.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety data. The safety data advises against use in both situations.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing.

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.

Double-check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you use anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners like warfarin), immunosuppressants (including cyclosporine), or testosterone therapy. 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 assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cordyceps might interest you if you're looking for a traditional immune or energy support supplement, but the evidence for athletic or sexual performance is weak or absent. If you take a blood thinner, immunosuppressant, or testosterone therapy, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting—cordyceps may interact.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are reasons to avoid it unless your own healthcare provider says otherwise.

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 Apr 25, 2017.

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 PS, straight from the product label.

Brand Health Concerns
Net contents 50 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2017
DSLD ID 72825
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 PS by Health Concerns, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
25
IngredientAmount% DV
Cordyceps500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Cellulose, Pharmaceutical Glaze

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Two tablets 2 times per day with or between meals.

Precautions

Notice: This product is not intended for use by pregnant women.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Chinese traditional formulas

Combining modern research and ancient wisdom

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Formula

Dong Chong Xia Cao

Pinyin: Dong Chong Xia Cao.

See for yourself

Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns

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

Serving size2 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container25 Amounts shown are per serving.

Cordyceps

Interacts with
249 drugs
500 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...

Cordyceps monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Cellulose, Pharmaceutical Glaze. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cordyceps PS?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cordyceps PS 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
The maker

Brand information

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

Health Concerns

See all Health Concerns products
Name
Health Concerns
Street Address
8001 Capwell Drive
City
Oakland
State
CA
ZipCode
94621
Phone Number
(800) 233-9355
Web Address
www.healthconcerns.com/pro
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns: Common Questions

Does Cordyceps PS by Health Concerns interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cordyceps PS 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 PS 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?
The evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective for athletic performance. If that's why you're considering it, you might want to explore other options or talk it over with your doctor.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—there isn't enough safety data. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice based on your situation.
What are the side effects of cordyceps?
Most people tolerate it well short-term, but some experience abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, or throat discomfort—though these are uncommon. Taking it with food may help. One rare case report linked a cordyceps product to liver inflammation, though it's unclear if cordyceps itself was the cause.
Is cordyceps safe to take long-term?
Studies have tested it for up to 1 year and found it generally well tolerated, but evidence on longer use is limited. Product quality also varies widely between brands. Talk with your pharmacist if you're thinking about taking it regularly.
What is cordyceps?
Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional herbal medicine. It's sold as a supplement for various uses, though the scientific evidence for most of them is weak or incomplete.

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

Not sure if Cordyceps PS 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 PS label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cordyceps PS'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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