Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Formula 505 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by DC

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

Formula 505 is a dietary supplement by DC with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 962 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cat's Claw. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Formula 505 by DC

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.

Formula 505 contains one active ingredient: cat's claw, a vine plant used traditionally in Central and South America. The capsule also holds gelatin and vegetable magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients to hold the product together.

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 Cat's Claw's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Cat's Claw Bark traditional herbal supplement.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inflammation, immune function, digestive health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

We don't have established evidence in our data for cat's claw's effectiveness against any condition—the ratings for allergic rhinitis, Alzheimer disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome all show insufficient reliable evidence. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the evidence we hold isn't solid enough to support a claim either way.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cat's Claw

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.

Cat's claw is generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been thoroughly studied. In one clinical trial of patients with advanced solid tumors, a small number developed anemia, low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), or low platelets (thrombocytopenia), along with headache, fatigue, insomnia, and nerve damage (neuropathy)—though it's unclear whether cat's claw caused these or the underlying cancer did.

There are also several case reports linking cat's claw to kidney injury, including acute kidney failure and kidney inflammation, which improved after stopping the supplement. Avoid cat's claw during pregnancy because it has a history of traditional use as an abortifacient and we don't have safety data.

Avoid it while breastfeeding as well due to insufficient safety information.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cat's Claw

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 — Cat's Claw.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 963 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 product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or aspirin (moderate risk of bleeding), blood pressure medications, calcium channel blockers, drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 (a major liver pathway), immunosuppressants, or Paxlovid. Cat's claw may change how these work.

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

Formula 505 may interest you if you're exploring traditional herbal approaches, but the evidence for what it actually does isn't established in our data. More importantly, if you take blood thinners, blood pressure medications, immune suppressants, or Paxlovid, you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it—the interactions are real and could affect how your medications work.

Talk it over with your own healthcare provider before adding this to your routine.

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 Formula 505, straight from the product label.

Brand DC
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 266858
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Children 4 or More Years of Age, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Formula 505 by DC, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
IngredientAmount% DV
Cat's Claw505 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate

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.
Formula

Dee Cee's Premium Wildcrafted Cat's Claw Bark grows wild in the highlands of the Peruvian Amazon. It has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by the native Ashaninka Indians. Scientifically known as Uncaria tomentosa, more commonly known in English as "Cat's Claw", or in Spanish as Una de Gato.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) (Una de Gato)

Precautions

Tamper Evident: Do not use this product if imprinted foil seal under cap is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

Caution: If you are pregnant or nursing do not take this product.

Formulation

Manufactured in our own state-of-the-art FDA Registered Facility (Registration #1023013) using Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) assuring correct potencies, freshness, quality and purity.

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration for maximum bioavailability.

Made in USA

Storage

Keep tightly closed. Store at room temperature: 59 degrees - 86 degrees F (15 degrees to 30 degrees C).

Seals/Symbols

Quali Pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, adults and children 12 or more years of age, take 1 to 2 capsules three times daily, with a large glass of water.

General Statements

Uncaria tomentosa Species Una de Gato Spanish name

See for yourself

Formula 505 by DC label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Formula 505 by DC

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 container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Cat's Claw

Interacts with
962 drugs
505 mg per serving

Cat's claw is a South American vine traditionally used for inflammation, joint pain, and immune support. Some small studies hint it may help with arth...

Cat's Claw monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Formula 505 by DC Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Formula 505?

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
962Drugs
962 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Formula 505 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.

Cat's Claw6 drug types · 962 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, cat's claw may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can inhibit platelet aggregation. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. In vitro and animal research suggests that rhynchophylline can lower blood pressure. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with calcium channel blockers might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains various alkaloids, including rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, and isocorynoxiene. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can lower blood pressure by acting as calcium channel blockers. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, cat's claw might increase or decrease the levels and effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Cat's claw may affect the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. In vitro research shows that cat's claw can inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes. In one case report, a patient taking cat's claw (at an unspecified dose) experienced increased serum levels of atazanavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir, all of which are CYP3A4 substrates. Levels returned to normal 15 days after discontinuation of the cat's claw supplement, suggesting inhibition of CYP3A4 by cat's claw. In contrast, animal research suggests that rhynchophylline, an alkaloid contained in cat's claw, induces CYP3A expression and accelerates the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, cat's claw might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In human and laboratory research, cat's claw has been shown to have immunostimulating activity. It stimulates phagocytosis and increases respiratory cellular activity and the mobility of leukocytes. Theoretically, this could interfere with the activity of immunosuppressant medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid)

Theoretically, cat's claw may decrease the levels of nirmatrelvir.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that this alkaloid induces CYP3A expression, thereby accelerating the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Formula 505, from the product label.

DC

See all DC products
Name
Dee Cee Laboratories, Inc.
Street Address
304 Dee Cee Rd.
City
White House
State
TN
ZipCode
37188
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Formula 505 by DC: Common Questions

Does Formula 505 by DC interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Formula 505 has a known interaction with 962 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Formula 505 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.
Is cat's claw safe to take while I'm pregnant?
No—the safety data advises against it. Cat's claw has been used traditionally to end pregnancy, and we don't have enough safety information for pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough data to know either way, so we advise against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you while breastfeeding.
What are the common side effects?
The data we have comes from one trial in people with advanced cancer, so it's hard to say what would happen in healthy adults. That trial reported headache, fatigue, insomnia, and nerve problems in a small number of patients. We also have case reports of kidney injury linked to cat's claw, which resolved after stopping it.
Does cat's claw actually work for anything?
We don't have reliable evidence in our data that it works for the conditions it's marketed for—allergies, Alzheimer disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, or chronic fatigue. That's not a proof it doesn't work; it just means the research isn't solid enough to say.
What exactly is cat's claw?
It's a vine plant from Central and South America that's been used in traditional medicine. Formula 505 gives you the whole plant material in a capsule.

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

Not sure if Formula 505 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.

Formula 505 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Formula 505'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 16 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.

Cat's Claw 16 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. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  3. Sandoval M, Charbonnet RM, Okuhama NN, et al. Cat's claw inhibits TNFalpha production and scavenges free radicals: role in cytoprotection. Free Radic Biol Med 2000;29:71-78.
  4. Müller AC, Kanfer I. Potential pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretrovirals and medicinal plants used as complementary and African traditional medicines. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 2011;32(8):458-70. PubMed
  5. Sheng, Y., Bryngelsson, C., and Pero, R. W. Enhanced DNA repair, immune function and reduced toxicity of C-MED-100, a novel aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;69(2):115-126. PubMed
  6. Lamm, S., Sheng, Y., and Pero, R. W. Persistent response to pneumococcal vaccine in individuals supplemented with a novel water soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med-100. Phytomedicine 2001;8(4):267-274.
  7. Sheng, Y., Li, L., Holmgren, K., and Pero, R. W. DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human volunteer study. Phytomedicine 2001;8(4):275-282.
  8. Chen, C. X., Jin, R. M., Li, Y. K., Zhong, J., Yue, L., Chen, S. C., and Zhou, J. Y. Inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline on platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue.Bao. 1992;13(2):126-130.
  9. Flythe, J. E., Rueda, J. F., Riscoe, M. K., and Watnick, S. Silicate nephrolithiasis after ingestion of supplements containing silica dioxide. Am.J.Kidney Dis. 2009;54(1):127-130. PubMed
  10. Zhou, J. and Zhou, S. Antihypertensive and neuroprotective activities of rhynchophylline: the role of rhynchophylline in neurotransmission and ion channel activity. J.Ethnopharmacol. 10-28-2010;132(1):15-27. PubMed
  11. Zhou, J. Y. and Zhou, S. W. Isorhynchophylline: A plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Fitoterapia 2012;83(4):617-626. PubMed
  12. Hemingway, S. R. and Phillipson, J. D. Proceedings: Alkaloids from S. American species of Uncaria (Rubiaceae). J.Pharm.Pharmacol. 1974;26 Suppl:113P.
  13. Hilepo, J. N., Bellucci, A. G., and Mossey, R. T. Acute renal failure caused by 'cat's claw' herbal remedy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Nephron 1997;77(3):361. PubMed
  14. De Paula LCL, Fonseca F, Perazzo F, et al. Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(1):22-30.
  15. Portalatin G, Shettigar S, Carrion-Rodriguez A, et al. Ketogenic-Diet Shake Containing Uncaria tomentosa-Associated Acute Interstitial Nephritis. Case Rep Nephrol Dial 2022;12(3):219-225.
  16. Lei S, Guo A, Lu J, et al. Activation of PXR causes drug interactions with Paxlovid in transgenic mice. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023;13(11):4502-4510. PubMed

See these in context on the Cat's Claw 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

Keep exploring