Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Forskolin 500 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Only Natural

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

Forskolin 500 is a dietary supplement by Only Natural with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for weight management, asthma and breathing, high blood pressure.Based on those ingredients, 915 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Coleus Forskohlii extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Forskolin 500 by Only Natural

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Coleus Forskohlii extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (100 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Forskolin 500 contains 2 active ingredients: a Coleus Forskohlii extract (the source plant) and 10 mg of isolated forskolin, which is the compound extracted from coleus that's thought to be responsible for its effects. Coleus has a long history in traditional medicine, and forskolin is the active component researchers have focused on.

The capsule also contains vegetable stearate, vegetable cellulose, and silica as inactive ingredients — these are just binders and fillers to hold the capsule 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 Coleus's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support healthy cardiovascular system and blood pressure.
  • We looked for evidence on: Hypertension, Congestive heart failure (CHF), Angina, Dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular health, heart health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Coleus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Angina (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Coleus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Congestive heart failure (CHF), Hypertension, Dilated cardiomyopathy.

The evidence for coleus and forskolin isn't established enough to rate in our data. The product is marketed for conditions including angina, asthma, cancer, congestive heart failure, eczema, and dry eye, but we hold insufficient reliable evidence to say whether it actually works for any of these.

If you're considering it for a specific health concern, talk that over with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you weigh what limited evidence exists against the interaction risks.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Coleus

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.

Taken by mouth, coleus is generally well tolerated, though gastrointestinal side effects are the most common — roughly 1 in 15 people in trials experienced increased bowel movements or loose stools, and some studies report about a 10% rate of GI symptoms overall, mostly diarrhea. A small number also reported nausea, vomiting, or constipation.

Because coleus may lower blood pressure and hasn't been studied much long-term, use it only with professional guidance. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Coleus

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 — Coleus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 916 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.

If you take nitrates or calcium channel blockers for your heart, blood pressure medications, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, or warfarin, definitely check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product — these are major or moderate concerns. Also flag it if you take any medications metabolized through your liver's CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 pathways, which includes many common drugs, because coleus may interfere with how your body clears them.

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.

Forskolin 500 isn't well-established for any of the conditions it's marketed for, and it carries real interaction risks — especially if you take heart or blood pressure medications, blood thinners, or drugs processed through certain liver pathways. The side effects it causes are mostly mild GI symptoms, but the medication interaction profile is serious enough to warrant a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist before you start.

Given the uncertainty around effectiveness and the interaction concerns, this isn't a casual add-on supplement.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 10, 2014.

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 Forskolin 500, straight from the product label.

Brand Only Natural
Barcode (UPC) 7-27413-00122-5
Net contents 50 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 10, 2014
DSLD ID 37732
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Forskolin 500 by Only Natural, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
7-27413-00122-5
IngredientAmount% DV
Coleus Forskohlii extract100 mg--
10 mg Forskolin10 mg--
Forskohlii powder400 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Stearate, Vegetable Cellulose, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take one (1) capsule daily at mealtime or as directed by your health care professional.

General Statements

Description: Coleus Forskohlii is a traditional Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries. The active ingredient in the herb called Forskolin, may support a healthy cardiovascular system and may help maintain normal blood pressure levels.* Additionally Forskolin may assist those with allergies, skin conditions, support urinary tract and bladder health.*

Made in USA

Formula

Only Natural uses the finest Coleus Forskohlii extract available.

(Coleus Forskohlii) 500 mg

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.

Storage

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN

TAMPER RESISTANT - DO NOT USE IF SEAL IS DAMAGED OR MISSING

Seals/Symbols

ONLY NATURAL Est.1986

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

GUARANTEED FREE OF: yeast, corn, wheat, gluten, milk, salt, sugar, starch, preservatives, artificial flavor & color

See for yourself

Forskolin 500 by Only Natural label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Forskolin 500 by Only Natural

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Coleus Forskohlii extract

Interacts with
915 drugs
100 mg per serving

Coleus is a plant from the mint family whose root contains a compound called forskolin, often marketed for weight loss, asthma, and heart health. Whil...

Coleus Forskohlii extract monograph & interactions
  • › 10 mg Forskolin

Forskohlii powder

Interacts with
915 drugs
400 mg per serving

Coleus is a plant from the mint family whose root contains a compound called forskolin, often marketed for weight loss, asthma, and heart health. Whil...

Forskohlii powder monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Forskolin 500 by Only Natural Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Forskolin 500?

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
915Drugs
29 Major 886 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Forskolin 500 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.

Coleus Forskohlii extract7 drug types · 915 drugs

Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, combining coleus with calcium channel blockers might increase the coronary vasodilatory effects.
Forskolin, a constituent of coleus, and calcium channel blockers both cause coronary vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Nitrates

Theoretically, combining coleus with nitrates might increase the coronary vasodilatory effects.
Forskolin, a constituent of coleus, and nitrates both cause coronary vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of coleus and anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
In vitro and animal research shows that forskolin, a constituent of coleus, can inhibit platelet aggregation and adhesion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining coleus with antihypertensive drugs might cause additive blood pressure lowering effects and increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research shows that forskolin, a constituent of coleus, may lower blood pressure.

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

Theoretically, taking coleus may affect drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 and increase the risk of adverse effects or reduce the effectiveness.
Research on the effect of coleus on CYP2C9 is conflicting. Some animal research shows that coleus extract can induce CYP2C9, while in vitro research shows that coleus can inhibit CYP2C9. Until more is known, advise patients that taking coleus might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.

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

Theoretically, taking coleus might decrease serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that coleus can activate the nuclear receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), which results in increased expression of CYP3A4. Although the clinical significance of this is not known, use caution when considering concomitant use of coleus and other drugs affected by these enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, taking coleus may affect the metabolism of warfarin and increase the risk of adverse effects or reduce the effectiveness.
Some animal research shows that coleus extract can induce cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9), an enzyme that metabolizes warfarin. However, other in vitro research shows that coleus can inhibit CYP2C9. Theoretically, taking coleus with drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 might affect drug levels and the risk of adverse effects. Until more is known, advise patients that taking coleus might increase or decrease levels of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Only Natural

See all Only Natural products
Name
Only Natural, Inc.
City
Island Park
State
NY
ZipCode
11558
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Forskolin 500 by Only Natural: Common Questions

Does Forskolin 500 by Only Natural interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Forskolin 500 has a known interaction with 915 medications, including 29 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Forskolin 500 contains 2 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.
Is it safe to take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding — there isn't enough information to know it's safe in either situation. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you in those circumstances.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common side effects when taken by mouth are gastrointestinal — loose stools, increased bowel movements, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or constipation. A small number of trial participants had these symptoms. Because coleus may also lower blood pressure, watch for dizziness or lightheadedness, especially if you're already on blood pressure medication.
Does this actually work for asthma, heart problems, or eczema?
We don't have reliable evidence to say it works for any of these — or for the other conditions it's marketed for. The research just isn't there yet, so you'd be taking it on faith rather than proven benefit.
Why can't you check the isolated forskolin ingredient?
We don't hold a monograph or interaction data on the isolated 10 mg of forskolin in this product, so we can't verify what it might do with your medications. That's a gap in our data — it doesn't mean it's safe, just that we haven't documented interactions for that particular form.
What's the difference between the extract and the isolated forskolin listed here?
The Coleus Forskohlii extract is a concentrated preparation of the whole plant part, while the 10 mg of isolated forskolin is the single compound extracted and purified from coleus. Both are meant to deliver the active ingredient, but we have more data on coleus as a whole than on the isolated form alone.

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

Not sure if Forskolin 500 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.

Forskolin 500 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Forskolin 500'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.

Coleus 16 references
  1. Baumann G, Felix S, Sattelberger U, Klein G. Cardiovascular effects of forskolin (HL-362) in patients with idiopathic congestiv cardiomyopathy. A comparative study with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1990;16:93-100.
  2. Kramer W, Thormann J, Kindler M, Schlepper M. Effects of forskolin on left ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy. Arzneimittelforschung 1987;37:364-7.
  3. Bauer K, Dietersdorfer F, Kaspar S, et al. Pharmacodynamic effects of inhaled dry powder formulations of fenoterol and colforsin in asthma. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993;53:76-83. PubMed
  4. Christenson JT, Thulesius O, Nazzal MM. The effect of forskolin on blood flow, platelet metabolism, aggregation and ATP release. Vasa 1995;24:56-61.
  5. Agarwal KC, Zielinski BA, Maitra RS. Significance of plasma adenosine in the antiplatelet activity of forskolin: potentiation by dipyridamole and dilazep. Thromb Haemost 1989;61:106-10. DOI
  6. Agarwal KC, Parks RE. Forskolin: a potential antimetastatic agent. Int J Cancer 1983;32:801-4. PubMed
  7. Almeida, F. C. and Lemonica, I. P. The toxic effects of Coleus barbatus B. on the different periods of pregnancy in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;73(1-2):53-60. PubMed
  8. Ding, X. and Staudinger, J. L. Induction of drug metabolism by forskolin: the role of the pregnane X receptor and the protein kinase a signal transduction pathway. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005;312(2):849-856. PubMed
  9. Staudinger, J. L., Ding, X., and Lichti, K. Pregnane X receptor and natural products: beyond drug-drug interactions. Expert.Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2006;2(6):847-857. PubMed
  10. van Hecke, E., Hindryckx, P., Geuns, J. M., and Devriese, E. Airborne contact dermatitis from coleus in a housewife. Contact Dermatitis 1991;25(2):128-129. PubMed
  11. Schlepper, M., Thormann, J., and Mitrovic, V. Cardiovascular effects of forskolin and phosphodiesterase-III inhibitors. Basic Res Cardiol 1989;84 Suppl 1:197-212. PubMed
  12. Dooms-Goossens, A., Borghijs, A., Degreef, H., Devriese, E. G., and Geuns, J. M. Airborne contact dermatitis to Coleus. Contact Dermatitis 1987;17(2):109-110. PubMed
  13. Lindner, E., Dohadwalla, A. N., and Bhattacharya, B. K. Positive inotropic and blood pressure lowering activity of a diterpene derivative isolated from Coleus forskohli: Forskolin. Arzneimittelforschung 1978;28(2):284-289.
  14. Loftus HL, Astell KJ, Mathai ML, et al. Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2015;7(11): PubMed
  15. Yokotani K, Chiba T, Sato Y, et al. Hepatic cytochrome P450 mediates interaction between warfarin and Coleus forskohlii extract in vivo and in vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012;64(12):1793-801.
  16. Nishijima C, Chiba T, Sato Y, Umegaki K. Nationwide Online Survey Enables the Reevaluation of the Safety of Coleus forskohlii Extract Intake Based on the Adverse Event Frequencies. Nutrients. 2019;11(4). pii: E866. PubMed

See these in context on the Coleus 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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