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Dietary supplement

EpiCor 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Healthy Origins

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

EpiCor 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Healthy Origins with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for source of b vitamins, diarrhea (certain types), cold and flu support.Based on those ingredients, 136 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Dried yeast fermentate. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins

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.

EpiCor 500 mg contains one active ingredient: dried yeast fermentate. This is a fermented yeast product sometimes called brewer's yeast, used in supplements for immune and digestive support.

The capsule itself is a vegetarian capsule, which is the inactive ingredient that holds the yeast powder.

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 Brewer's Yeast's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy immune system.
  • We looked for evidence on: Influenza, Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), immune function, immune response.
  • The closest evidence on file: Brewer's Yeast is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Brewer's Yeast is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Influenza.

The evidence on dried yeast fermentate is mixed. It's rated possibly effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — meaning some research supports it, but more study is needed.

For other uses listed on the label — Clostridioides difficile infection, influenza, high cholesterol, and hay fever — the evidence is insufficient to establish how well it works. If you're considering EpiCor for IBS, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether the current evidence fits your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Brewer's Yeast

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.

Brewer's yeast is generally well tolerated when taken short-term. The most common side effects are flatulence and migraine-type headaches; a small number of users report intestinal discomfort, anal irritation, or abdominal pain.

There's a rare concern that it may cause a yeast infection in the bloodstream (fungemia) or anaphylaxis in people with yeast sensitivity, so stop and seek care immediately if you experience severe allergic symptoms. The safety data for concentrated supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding isn't well studied — food amounts are likely fine, but the advice here is to check with your provider before taking a supplement dose.

People with weakened immune systems should use caution and talk to their doctor first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Brewer's Yeast

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 — Brewer's Yeast.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 136 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 EpiCor, check with your pharmacist if you're on MAOIs — the risk of dangerously high blood pressure is a Major concern. Also flag antidiabetes drugs and lithium (both Moderate risk), and antifungal medications (Minor risk).

These 135 individual medications need a one-on-one review with your pharmacist.

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.

EpiCor may be worth trying if you have IBS and want to explore natural options, but it's not for everyone. If you take MAOIs, antidiabetes medications, lithium, or antifungals, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting — the interactions can be serious.

Expect mild gas or headache as a possible side effect.

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 Jun 16, 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 EpiCor 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Healthy Origins
Barcode (UPC) 603573578855
Net contents 60 Veggie Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 269306
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), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
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 EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
603573578855
IngredientAmount% DV
Dried yeast fermentate500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule

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

Directions: As a dietary supplement for adults, take one (1) vegetarian capsule daily with or without food.

Formulation

Some of the world's greatest inventions are stumbled upon by accident. Such is the story of EpiCor, a unique, natural dietary ingredient which supports the body's immune system by balancing immune response. Just one (1) EpiCor vegetarian capsule daily has been clinically shown to keep the immune system balanced and performing optimally. EpiCor has been clinically shown to activate NK (natural killer) cell activity within 2 hours of taking the product.

Natural Supports a healthy immune system

Suitable for vegans

Non GMO Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanut, or tree nut derived ingredients.

Manufactured in a cGMP facility.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children

Caution: Consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

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.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Healthy Origins Since 1996

EpiCor is a registered trademark of Embria Health Sciences, LLC.

General Statements

New look

Formula

EpiCor High-metabolite immunogens

Seals/Symbols

3rd Part Tested

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Dried yeast fermentate

Interacts with
136 drugs
500 mg per serving

Brewer's yeast is a nutrient-rich fungus that provides B vitamins, protein, and minerals, and a related yeast product (S. boulardii) is used for some...

Dried yeast fermentate monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against EpiCor 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
136Drugs
9 Major 87 Moderate 40 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in EpiCor 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.

Dried yeast fermentate4 drug types · 136 drugs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, taking brewer's yeast with MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertension.
Brewer's yeast contains tyramine. Taking brewer's yeast with MAOIs might increase the risk for hypertensive crisis.

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Taking brewer's yeast with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research shows that taking chromium-containing brewer's yeast can decrease levels of blood glucose in diabetic patients being treated with antidiabetes drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Lithium

Theoretically, taking brewer's yeast with lithium might cause additive effects and side effects.
Some brewer's yeast products contains lithium.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antifungals

Theoretically, taking antifungals with some brewer's yeast products might decrease the effectiveness of brewer's yeast.
Some brewer's yeast products contain live yeast. Therefore, simultaneously taking antifungals might kill a significant number of the organisms.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for EpiCor 500 mg, from the product label.

Healthy Origins

See all Healthy Origins products
Name
Healthy Origins
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15241
Phone Number
1-888-228-6650
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins: Common Questions

Does EpiCor 500 mg by Healthy Origins interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, EpiCor 500 mg has a known interaction with 136 medications, including 9 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
EpiCor 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.
Will EpiCor help my IBS?
The evidence is rated possibly effective — meaning some research supports it, but it's not proven for everyone. It's worth discussing with your doctor as one option alongside other treatments you may be using.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people tolerate it well short-term. You might notice gas or a migraine-type headache. Intestinal discomfort and abdominal pain are rare. If you have a yeast allergy, stop immediately and seek care, because anaphylaxis is a rare but serious risk.
Is EpiCor safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The safety of the concentrated supplement in pregnancy and breastfeeding isn't well studied. Food amounts of brewer's yeast are likely fine, but ask your provider before taking a supplement dose — they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
Can I take EpiCor if I have diabetes and take blood-sugar medication?
You need to check with your pharmacist first. Brewer's yeast may lower your blood sugar more than your medication alone, raising the risk of low blood sugar — this is a Moderate-severity interaction that needs professional review.
What is dried yeast fermentate, and why is it in here?
It's a fermented brewer's yeast product used in supplements for immune and digestive support. EpiCor contains 500 mg of it per capsule, and it's the only active ingredient.
Will antifungal cream or pill I take for a fungal infection interfere with EpiCor?
It's possible — antifungals may theoretically reduce how well this product works because they can kill the live yeast in it. Ask your pharmacist if you're taking an antifungal medication, even a topical one, to be safe.

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

Not sure if EpiCor 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

EpiCor 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

EpiCor 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 6 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.

Brewer's Yeast 6 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Lewis SJ, Freedman AR. Review article: the use of biotherapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1998;12:807-22. PubMed
  3. Bahijiri, S. M., Mira, S. A., Mufti, A. M., and Ajabnoor, M. A. The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast supplementation on glucose tolerance, serum lipids and drug dosage in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Saudi.Med.J. 2000;21(9):831-837. DOI
  4. Schrauzer, G. N. and de, Vroey E. Effects of nutritional lithium supplementation on mood. A placebo-controlled study with former drug users. Biol.Trace Elem.Res. 1994;40(1):89-101. PubMed
  5. Gayathri R, Aruna T, Malar S, Shilpa B, Dhanasekar KR. Efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 as an add-on therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2020;35(1):139-145. PubMed
  6. Mourey F, Decherf A, Jeanne JF, et al. Saccharomyces cerevisiae I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation. World J Gastroenterol 2022;28(22):2509-2522.

See these in context on the Brewer's Yeast 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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