Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 5 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BareOrganics

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor is a dietary supplement by BareOrganics with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol.Based on those ingredients, 2,276 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Dietary Fiber, organic Bacopa monnieri extract, organic Gotu Kola powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 6 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Cognitive Boost Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (2.50 Gram(s)) without saying how much of each component you get.
  • “Proprietary Adaptogen Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (100 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains five active ingredients. Gotu kola powder is traditionally used for circulation and wound healing.

Lion's mane mushroom powder is marketed for cognitive support. Mucuna pruriens extract contains levodopa, a naturally occurring compound related to the Parkinson disease medication.

Bacopa monnieri extract is used in herbal traditions for memory and cognitive function. MCT oil powder is a form of fat derived from coconut.

The product also contains four inactive ingredients — acacia gum, natural flavor, rice, and stevia leaf extract — which serve as fillers, flavor, and sweetener.

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.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support focus and mental clarity.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Memory, Anxiety, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental alertness, concentration — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Gotu Kola is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Cognitive function (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Gotu Kola is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Also on file: Bacopa is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Cognitive function.

The evidence on whether this product's ingredients work for cognitive support is limited. Gotu kola is rated possibly effective for venous insufficiency and burns, but possibly ineffective for cognitive function.

Lion's mane mushroom, bacopa, and Mucuna pruriens all carry insufficient evidence in our data to rate their effectiveness for cognitive function, attention, or Alzheimer disease — meaning studies haven't established whether they work for those purposes. If you're considering this product for brain health, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence supports its use for your specific goal.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Black Psyllium Lion's Mane Mushroom Gotu Kola Cowhage Bacopa

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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

The ingredients are generally well tolerated orally when used short-term, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects reported are gastrointestinal — nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth — and headache.

Gotu kola has rare reports of liver toxicity, though testing of those products was not done and one clinical trial at 120 mg daily for six months showed no liver changes. Lion's mane mushroom and bacopa may cause skin rash in some people.

Mucuna pruriens can cause flatulence, diarrhea, and insomnia (reported in about 3% of trial participants at high doses). Because gotu kola and Mucuna pruriens are not advised during pregnancy, and lion's mane mushroom and bacopa lack sufficient safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should discuss use of this product with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding — especially given Mucuna pruriens' effect on milk production.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Black Psyllium Lion's Mane Mushroom Gotu Kola Cowhage Bacopa

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?
  • 5 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Black Psyllium, Gotu Kola, Bacopa, Cowhage, Lion's Mane Mushroom.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications; lithium; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 2,277 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 product, have your doctor or pharmacist review it if you take methyldopa or any MAOI antidepressant — these carry Major severity risks with Mucuna pruriens. Also double-check if you take levodopa (for Parkinson disease), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, diabetes medications, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, blood pressure medications (especially guanethidine), immunosuppressants, or anticholinergic or cholinergic drugs — all carry Moderate interactions.

Additionally, if you take medications metabolized by your liver's CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 enzymes, bacopa may affect their levels. Altogether, these interactions span 1,434 individual medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is marketed for focus and cognition, but the evidence supporting that claim is insufficient in our data. More importantly, it carries several serious interactions with blood pressure medications, antidepressants, blood thinners, and other drugs — and its levodopa content means it should not be combined with certain medications without close medical oversight.

If you take any prescription medication, check it against this product's ingredients using the tool on this page before starting. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is appropriate for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 5 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 24, 2021.

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 Focus Natural Coconut Flavor, straight from the product label.

Brand BareOrganics
Barcode (UPC) 811079032492
Net contents 2.76 Ounce(s); 78 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2021
DSLD ID 254962
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten 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 Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics, 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:
6.5 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
6.5 Gram(s)
Servings per container
12
UPC/BARCODE
811079032492
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories30 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates4 Gram(s)1%
Dietary Fiber4 Gram(s)14%
Total Fat1.5 Gram(s)2%
Added Sugars0 Gram(s)--
Total Sugars1 Gram(s)--
organic Gotu Kola powder0 NP--
organic Lion's Mane Mushroom powder0 NP--
organic MCT Oil powder0 NP--
Mucuna pruriens extract0 NP--
Proprietary Cognitive Boost Blend2.5 Gram(s)--
Proprietary Adaptogen Blend100 mg--
organic Bacopa monnieri extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: organic Acacia Gum, organic Natural flavor, organic Rice, organic Stevia leaf extract

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

On-the-go-superfoods

Dissolves instantly into hot or cold water with a great-tasting coconut flavor you can enjoy at home or on-the-go. Superfoods to provide non-drowsy soothing support Minimally processed to maintain integrity and freshness Easily add to your daily routine by mixing into water, smoothies, and more Follow Us! Tag us in your BareOrganics posts to be featured: #bareorganicssuperfoods Instagram Facebook @BareOrganicsSuperfoods

Try more of our delicious organic superfood blends Metabolism Digestion Beauty Immunity Energy Calm Sleep

Visit BareOrganics.com to learn more about our products.

Superfoods to nourish your life.

12 stick packets 12 x 0.23 oz (6.5 g)

Formula

Get Things Done – The Natural Way. Acclaimed MCT oil, mildly sweet lion's mane mushroom, the so-called "herb of longevity" gotu kola, and the famed Ayurvedic plant Bacopa monnieri unite to help support your focus and mind.

Natural Flavors

Focus Superfood water enhancer with MCT oil, lion's mane mushroom + gotu kola

Keto-Friendly

Formulation

Our delicious blend is thoughtfully designed with botanicals that may support improved mental performance, alertness, and clarity.

USDA Organic

Vegan

Gluten Free Non-GMO No Added Sugar

Convenient daily nutrition

Made in U.S.A. with globally sourced ingredients. Color of this product may vary due to color variations of the natural ingredients.

Instantly dissolves in hot or cold water Tastes great!

Certified Organic By: CCOF

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Mix in 8 oz of hot or cold water and stir to dissolve.

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Precautions

Use only as directed.

Consult your doctor if pregnant, lactating or using prescription medications.

Do not use if packet is opened or torn.

Keep out of reach of small children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics

These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size6.5 Gram(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Servings per container12 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Dietary Fiber

Interacts with
2,025 drugs
4 Gram(s) per serving

Black psyllium is a soluble-fiber supplement made from the seeds of a Plantago plant, used mostly to ease constipation and support digestive health. I...

Dietary Fiber monograph & interactions

Proprietary Cognitive Boost Blend

2.5 Gram(s) per serving

Proprietary Adaptogen Blend

100 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Organic Acacia Gum, Organic Natural flavor, Organic Rice, Organic Stevia leaf extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Focus Natural Coconut Flavor?

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
2,276Drugs
17 Major 1,403 Moderate 856 Minor

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Focus Natural Coconut Flavor with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Dietary Fiber7 drug types · 2,025 drugs

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce the effects of carbamazepine and increase the risk for convulsions.
Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce carbamazepine absorption. A preliminary study using blond psyllium reported decreased carbamazepine bioavailability due to binding of the drug to psyllium, as well as reduction of available fluid in the gut for dissolution of the drug. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as lithium might reduce lithium absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might reduce lithium absorption and plasma levels. Some case reports describe a reduction in plasma lithium levels with concomitant administration of blond psyllium. This was reversed when psyllium was stopped. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Animal research shows that concurrent consumption of blond psyllium with metformin slows and increases the absorption of metformin. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as olanzapine might reduce olanzapine absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might decrease the absorption of olanzapine. A single case report describes a reduction in the effectiveness of olanzapine when it was concomitantly administered with an unspecified type of psyllium 3 grams orally twice daily. This effect was reversed when psyllium was stopped.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as digoxin might reduce digoxin absorption and decrease digoxin levels.
Psyllium might bind digoxin in the gut. However, some clinical evidence suggests that psyllium does not impact digoxin absorption.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Ethinyl Estradiol

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as ethinyl estradiol might alter levels of estradiol.
Concurrent use of blond psyllium with ethinyl estradiol results in a slight increase in the extent of ethinyl estradiol absorption and a slower rate of absorption. This is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Oral Drugs

Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Psyllium seems to have variable effects on drug absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after oral medications. Animal research shows that blond psyllium delays and increases the absorption of metformin and ethinyl estradiol. Case reports and animal research suggest that blond psyllium might reduce absorption of lithium, digoxin, olanzapine, and carbamazepine. Finally, some pharmacokinetic studies show that psyllium does not affect the absorption of levothyroxine or warfarin. Although many of these studies evaluated blond psyllium, the fiber content in black psyllium may have similar effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

organic Bacopa monnieri extract8 drug types · 930 drugs

Anticholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use might decrease the effectiveness of both agents.
Bacopa seems to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels, which could counteract the effects of anticholinergic drugs. Similarly, anticholinergic drugs might counteract the cholinergic effects of bacopa.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cevimeline (Evoxac)

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the effects and adverse effects of cevimeline.
In one case, a 58-year-old female taking cevimeline long-term for Sjogren syndrome experienced hyperhidrosis, malaise, nausea, and tachycardia shortly after taking a single dose of bacopa. Symptoms resolved after two days. Cevimeline is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP3A4, and researchers theorize that bacopa may have inhibited these isoenzymes. However, it is unclear if bacopa causes clinically significant inhibition of either CYP2D6 or CYP3A4.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of bacopa with other cholinergic drugs might have additive effects.
Bacopa seems to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, this could result in additive cholinergic effects when used with cholinergic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP1A2 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence shows that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP1A2, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP2C19 enzymes. It is not known whether this is clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Research on the effect of bacopa extracts on CYP2C9 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and non-competitively inhibit CYP2C9, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, bacopa might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
Research on the effects of bacopa extracts on CYP3A4 enzymes is conflicting. Some in vitro evidence suggests that bacopa extract can moderately and competitively inhibit CYP3A4, while other in vitro evidence suggests that any effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, bacopa might have additive effects when used with thyroid hormone.
Animal research suggests that bacopa increases thyroxine (T4) levels in mice by about 40%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

organic Gotu Kola powder2 drug types · 579 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, taking gotu kola might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
In vitro research suggests that gotu kola may have sedative effects via binding of GABA receptors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, taking gotu kola with hepatotoxic drugs might have additive adverse effects.
There are at least four case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of gotu kola. However, more information is needed to determine if gotu kola was the causative factor in these cases.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

organic Lion's Mane Mushroom powder3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, lion's mane mushroom may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research suggests that lion's mane mushroom extracts can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, lion's mane mushroom may have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that an aqueous extract of lion's mane mushroom can reduce serum glucose and increase serum insulin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of lion's mane mushroom might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In animal and in vitro research, lion's mane mushroom polysaccharides stimulate the immune system.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Mucuna pruriens 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 Focus Natural Coconut Flavor, from the product label.

BareOrganics

See all BareOrganics products
Name
BareOrganics
Street Address
9160 E. Bahia Dr.
City
Scottsdale
State
AZ
ZipCode
85260
Web Address
bareorganics.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics: Common Questions

Does Focus Natural Coconut Flavor by BareOrganics interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Focus Natural Coconut Flavor has a known interaction with 2,276 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?
Focus Natural Coconut Flavor contains 6 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 pregnant or breastfeeding?
Gotu kola and Mucuna pruriens are not advised during pregnancy, and lion's mane mushroom and bacopa lack enough safety data — we don't know if they're safe. Mucuna pruriens is also not recommended while breastfeeding because it can reduce milk supply. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and dry mouth. Headache and skin rash have also been reported. Gastrointestinal side effects were seen in 12% to 30% of trial participants taking bacopa.
Does this product actually help with focus and memory?
The evidence in our data is insufficient to rate whether bacopa, lion's mane mushroom, or Mucuna pruriens work for cognitive function or attention. Gotu kola is rated possibly ineffective for cognitive function. If you're looking for evidence-backed cognitive support, ask your doctor or pharmacist what the research currently supports.
What is Mucuna pruriens, and why is it in this product?
Mucuna pruriens, also called cowhage, is a plant extract that naturally contains levodopa — the same active compound in some Parkinson disease medications. It's included in this blend for its traditional use in cognitive support, though evidence is insufficient. Because it contains levodopa, it carries serious interactions with certain medications and needs careful oversight.
Is this safe to take long-term?
The ingredients are generally well tolerated short-term, but quality and long-term safety data are limited. Long-term use hasn't been well studied, and gotu kola has rare reports of liver toxicity. If you're considering regular use, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can this product damage my liver?
Gotu kola has rare case reports of liver toxicity, though those products weren't tested and one clinical trial at 120 mg daily for six months showed no liver changes. More information is needed to know if gotu kola itself was the cause. If you have liver disease or take other liver-stressing drugs, talk with your pharmacist before taking this.

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

Not sure if Focus Natural Coconut Flavor 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.

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Focus Natural Coconut Flavor’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Focus Natural Coconut Flavor'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 66 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.

Black Psyllium 18 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  4. Etman M. Effect of a bulk forming laxative on the bioavailablility of carbamazepine in man. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1995;21:1901-6.
  5. Perlman BB. Interaction between lithium salts and ispaghula husk. Lancet 1990;335:416.
  6. Vaswani SK, Hamilton RG, Valentine MD, Adkinson NF. Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis. Allergy 1996;51:266-8. PubMed
  7. Lantner RR, Espiritu BR, Zumerchik P, Tobin MC. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of a psyllium-containing cereal. JAMA 1990;264:2534-6. DOI
  8. Kaplan MJ. Anaphylactic reaction to "Heartwise." N Engl J Med 1990;323:1072-3. DOI
  9. Nordstrom M, Melander A, Robertsson E, Steen B. Influence of wheat bran and of a bulk-forming ispaghula cathartic on the bioavailability of digoxin in geriatric in-patients. Drug Nutr Interact 1987;5:67-9..
  10. Robinson DS, Benjamin DM, McCormack JJ. Interaction of warfarin and nonsystemic gastrointestinal drugs. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1971;12:491-5. PubMed
  11. Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, Diez MJ, et al. Influence of two dietary fibers in the oral bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of ethinyloestradiol. Contraception 2000;62:253-7. PubMed
  12. Fernandez N, Lopez C, Díez R, et al. Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2012;8(11):1377-86.
  13. Semen plantaginis in: WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, volume 1. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1999. Available at http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js2200e/. Accessed November 26, 1026.
  14. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (21CFR 101.17). Food labeling warning, notice, and safe handling statements. Available at www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=20f647d3b74161501f46564b915b4048&mc=true&node=se21.2.101_117&rgn=div8. Accessed December 3, 2
  15. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (21CFR 201.319). Specific labeling requirements - water-soluble gums, hydrophilic gums, and hydrophilic mucilloids. Available at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=201.319. Accessed Dece
  16. Diez R, Garcia JJ, Diez MJ, Sierra M, Sahagun AM, Fernandez N. Influence of Plantago ovata husk (dietary fiber) on the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin in diabetic rabbits. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jun 7;17(1):298. PubMed
  17. Chiu AC, Sherman SI. Effects of pharmacological fiber supplements on levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid. 1998;8(8):667-71. PubMed
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Gotu Kola 18 references
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Lion's Mane Mushroom 6 references
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Cowhage 12 references
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Bacopa 12 references
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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.

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