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Dietary supplement

Dopa 400 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by AFI America's Finest

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Dopa 400 is a dietary supplement by AFI America's Finest with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for parkinson's disease symptoms, male fertility and libido, mood and stress support.Based on those ingredients, 193 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Mucuna pruriens seed extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest

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.

Dopa 400 contains one active ingredient: Mucuna pruriens seed extract, a plant-based source of levodopa — the same compound used in prescription Parkinson's medications. This extract is standardized to deliver 400 mg per capsule.

The remaining ingredients are inactive excipients (microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, rice flour, and silicon dioxide) that serve as the capsule filler and binder.

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 Cowhage's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: mood, mental alertness, and well-being.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, depression, mood disorders, cognitive function.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cowhage is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for Mucuna pruriens isn't established in the data we hold. The facts show insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for anxiety, erythema (skin redness), high prolactin levels, muscle pain, Parkinson's disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.

If you're considering it for any of these purposes, talk with your doctor about whether the current evidence supports a trial.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

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.

Adverse effects from oral Mucuna pruriens appear rare, but a thorough safety study hasn't been done. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, mucosal irritation, dry mouth, and headaches.

In clinical trials with higher doses (22.5–67.5 grams daily divided into multiple doses), some participants experienced nausea, abdominal distention, vomiting, and insomnia — about 3% reported insomnia. The safety data advises against this product during pregnancy due to insufficient safety information and its dopamine effects.

L-dopa can lower prolactin levels and reduce milk supply, so it should be avoided while breastfeeding. Because this supplement contains an active drug-like compound, it requires careful use and professional guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Cowhage.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 193 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 Dopa 400, make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows about: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs — Major risk of hypertensive crisis); methyldopa or guanethidine (Major risk of dangerous blood pressure drops); any levodopa medications you're already taking (Major risk of increased side effects); antidiabetes drugs (Moderate risk of low blood sugar); antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, or upcoming anesthesia (Moderate risks).

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. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Dopa 400 is a levodopa-containing supplement that carries serious interaction risks with blood pressure medications, MAOIs, and other drugs. The evidence for its effectiveness for any condition isn't established in our data.

If you're considering it, especially for Parkinson's disease or any other health condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first to review your medications and determine whether it's appropriate for you.

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 23, 2015.

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 Dopa 400, straight from the product label.

Brand AFI America's Finest
Barcode (UPC) 767382033087
Net contents 250 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 23, 2015
DSLD ID 41432
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 Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest, 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
250
UPC/BARCODE
767382033087
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna pruriens seed extract400 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Rice Flour, Silicon Dioxide

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.
General Statements

L-DOPA generates dopamine supporting healthy mood and mental alertness as well as stimulating secretion of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) promoting a sense of well being.*

Stimulates HGH Secretion

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take six capsules daily at bed time on an empty stomach with water or as directed by a healthcare professional. Cycle 3 months on and 1 month off, then repeat.

Precautions

Precautions/Warnings: Do not use if bottle seal is missing, torn or damaged.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition, consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool place.

Brand IP Statement(s)

* 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.

Seals/Symbols

AFI

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest

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 container250 Amounts shown are per serving.

Mucuna pruriens seed extract

Interacts with
193 drugs
400 mg per serving Form: L-Dopa

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied...

Mucuna pruriens seed extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Rice Flour, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Dopa 400?

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.

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193Drugs
17 Major 176 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Dopa 400 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.

Mucuna pruriens seed extract8 drug types · 193 drugs

Levodopa

Concomitant use can increase the risk of levodopa-related adverse effects.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Some cowhage products have been standardized to contain 75-400 mg of levodopa per dose.

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and methyldopa might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with methyldopa might cause additive hypotension. In addition, methyldopa may inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa and increase levodopa levels in the central nervous system; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with non-selective MAOIs might cause hypertensive crisis. However, this interaction has not been reported with MAO-B selective inhibitors such as selegiline.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anesthesia

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and anesthesia might increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia has led to arrhythmias. Other anesthetics have not been implicated. Use other anesthetics in patients taking cowhage or tell patients to stop taking cowhage at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that cowhage might have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antipsychotic Drugs

Theoretically, use of cowhage might decrease the clinical effects of antipsychotic drugs.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa might counteract the antidopaminergic effects of antipsychotic medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Guanethidine (Ismelin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and guanethidine might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with guanethidine might cause additive hypotension; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Tcas)

Theoretically, use of TCAs might reduce the levels and clinical effects of cowhage.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of TCAs might reduce the absorption of levodopa. Some case reports describe patients that developed hypertension and dyskinesia when taking both levodopa and TCAs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Dopa 400, from the product label.

AFI America's Finest

See all AFI America's Finest products
Name
America's Finest, Inc. (AFI)
City
East Windsor
State
NJ
ZipCode
08520
Phone Number
800-350-3305
Web Address
www.afisupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest: Common Questions

Does Dopa 400 by AFI America's Finest interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Dopa 400 has a known interaction with 193 medications, including 17 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Dopa 400 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 this if I'm on blood pressure medication?
Not without checking first. Dopa 400 interacts with several blood pressure drugs — methyldopa and guanethidine carry Major-severity risks of dangerous drops in blood pressure. Other blood pressure medications may also be affected. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product alongside any blood pressure medication.
What if I'm already taking levodopa for Parkinson's disease?
Do not add this supplement without guidance. Since Dopa 400 contains levodopa itself, combining them is a Major-severity interaction that can increase your levodopa levels and side effects. Your doctor needs to know you're considering it so they can adjust your prescription dosing if appropriate.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against it during pregnancy due to insufficient safety information and its dopamine effects. While breastfeeding, L-dopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so you should avoid it. Talk with your doctor if you're thinking about using this supplement during either time.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach irritation. Dry mouth and headaches have also been reported. At higher doses used in clinical trials, some people experienced nausea, bloating, vomiting, and insomnia (about 3% of participants).
Does this actually work for Parkinson's disease or anxiety?
We don't have reliable evidence to say. The data shows insufficient evidence to rate Mucuna pruriens for Parkinson's disease, anxiety, or any other condition. If you're considering it for a health condition, ask your doctor whether any evidence supports using it.
What if I take an antidepressant?
It depends on which one. Tricyclic antidepressants carry a Moderate-severity interaction — they may reduce this supplement's effect and potentially increase your blood pressure or cause abnormal movements. Check your specific medication with your pharmacist before starting Dopa 400.

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

Not sure if Dopa 400 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.

Dopa 400 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Dopa 400'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 12 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.

Cowhage 12 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Anon. Epidemiological notes and reports: Mucuna pruriens-associated pruritus--New Jersey. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1985;34:732-3.
  4. HP-200 in Parkinson's Disease study group. An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease: Results of a multicenter clinical trial. J Alt Comp Med 1995;1:249-55. DOI
  5. Infante ME, Perez AM, Simao MR, et al. Outbreak of acute toxic psychosis attributed to Mucuna pruriens. Lancet 1990;336:1129. PubMed
  6. Vaidya AB, Rajagopalan TG, Mankodi NA, et al. Treatment of Parkinson's disease with the cowhage plant-Mucuna pruriens Bak. Neurol India 1978;26:171-6.
  7. Vadivel V, Janardhanan K. Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of velvet bean: an under-utilized food legume in south India. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2000;51:279-87. PubMed
  8. Akhtar MS, Qureshi AQ, Iqbal J. Antidiabetic evaluation of Mucuna pruriens, Linn seeds. J Pak Med Assoc 1990;40:147-50.
  9. Prakash, D., Niranjan, A., and Tewari, S. K. Some nutritional properties of the seeds of three Mucuna species. Int.J.Food Sci.Nutr. 2001;52(1):79-82.
  10. Vadivel, V. and Janardhanan, K. Nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of seven South Indian wild legumes. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr 2005;60(2):69-75. PubMed
  11. Creapure (Creatine Monohydrate). Toxicological Datasheet. Degussa BioActives. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/DOCKETS/.../95s-0316-rpt0154-54-Ref-50-vol112.pdf.
  12. Pulikkalpura H, Kurup R, Mathew PJ, Baby S. Levodopa in Mucuna pruriens and its degradation. Sci Rep 2015;5:11078. PubMed

See these in context on the Cowhage 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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