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Dietary supplement

Heliocare Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Ferndale Healthcare

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

Heliocare is a dietary supplement by Ferndale Healthcare with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sun sensitivity and sunburn protection, skin conditions like vitiligo and melasma, polymorphic light eruption.Based on those ingredients, 643 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos (Calaguala) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare

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.

Heliocare contains one active ingredient: Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos (Calaguala) extract. This is a plant extract derived from a Central American fern, intended to support skin health.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—corn starch, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and magnesium stearate—which are fillers and binders.

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 Polypodium Leucotomos's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: skin protection against free radical aging effects.
  • We looked for evidence on: Actinic keratoses, Atopic dermatitis (eczema), Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), Melasma, Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), Psoralen-UVA (PUVA) photodamage — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Polypodium Leucotomos is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Atopic dermatitis (eczema) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Polypodium Leucotomos is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Melasma, Sunburn, Vitiligo, Actinic keratoses, and more.

The evidence for Polypodium leucotomos is limited. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate its effectiveness for dementia, eczema (atopic dermatitis), actinic keratoses (precancerous skin spots), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (a skin manifestation of lupus), or photodamage from PUVA therapy.

That means either the studies are too small, too few, or too mixed to draw firm conclusions right now—not that it doesn't work, just that we can't yet say it does.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Polypodium Leucotomos

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.

Polypodium leucotomos is generally well tolerated in studies, though long-term safety hasn't been thoroughly established. A rare side effect reported is itching (pruritus).

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. Breastfeeding safety is also unknown, and avoidance is the safer choice unless you've discussed it with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Polypodium Leucotomos

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Polypodium Leucotomos.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 644 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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Heliocare if you take any medications metabolized by CYP3A4—a liver enzyme that breaks down many common drugs. This extract may slow that breakdown and raise drug levels, which is a Minor severity concern in theory but needs confirmation for your specific medications because the effect may vary.

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. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Heliocare is a single-ingredient supplement used for skin support, but the evidence for how well it works isn't yet established in our data. The main concern is that it may slow how your liver processes dozens of common medications.

Before you start it, check your prescription and over-the-counter drugs with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take anything for cholesterol, blood pressure, allergies, or immune function. Avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding unless you've cleared it first.

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 Jul 25, 2018.

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 Heliocare, straight from the product label.

Brand Ferndale Healthcare
Barcode (UPC) 304960480101
Net contents 60 Vegan Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2018
DSLD ID 178930
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
304960480101
IngredientAmount% DV
Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos (Calaguala) extract240 mg--

Other ingredients: Corn Starch, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, 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.
General Statements

Improved capsules

00496-0480-10

Helps maintain the skin's ability to protect itself against the aging effects of free radicals.

Daily use promotes younger-looking skin

Formulation

Vegan

Gluten-free No artificial dyes

Brand IP Statement(s)

Heliocare and Fernblock are registered trademarks of Industrial Farmaceutica Cantabria, S.A.

General

12693FE.30-202-01 Rev.:12/16

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Clinically proven Fernblock PLE technology

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

Usage: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily in the morning. See leaflet for additional information.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if protective seal is broken.

Storage

Store product at room temperature. Do not expose to excessive heat or moisture.

See for yourself

Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare

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

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

240 mg per serving

Polypodium leucotomos is a fern extract taken by mouth, mostly studied as an add-on to (not a replacement for) sunscreen and for certain light-trigger...

Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos (Calaguala) extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare Drug Interactions

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Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

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643Drugs
643 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Heliocare 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.

Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos (Calaguala) extract1 drug type · 643 drugs

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, Polypodium leucotomos might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro and animal research suggests that Polypodium leucotomos can decrease the metabolism of midazolam by a mechanism possibly related to the inhibition of CYP3A4. However, a small study in humans suggests that taking Polypodium leucotomos with midazolam does not affect the metabolism of midazolam.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Heliocare, from the product label.

Ferndale Healthcare

See all Ferndale Healthcare products
Name
Ferndale Healthcare Inc.
Street Address
780 W. Eight Mile Road
City
Ferndale
State
MI
ZipCode
48220
Phone Number
(888) 548-0900
Web Address
www.ferndalehealthcare.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare: Common Questions

Does Heliocare by Ferndale Healthcare interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Heliocare has a known interaction with 643 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Heliocare 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 Heliocare safe to take while I'm pregnant?
No. There isn't enough safety data in pregnancy, so it's best avoided if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
Can I breastfeed while taking Heliocare?
Safety while breastfeeding is unknown. The safer choice is to avoid it. If you're considering it while nursing, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What is Polypodium leucotomos and what's it supposed to do?
Polypodium leucotomos, also called Calaguala, is an extract from a Central American fern included in Heliocare for skin support. The evidence for how well it works for its intended uses isn't yet established in our data.
Does Heliocare have any side effects?
It's generally well tolerated, though itching has rarely been reported. Long-term safety hasn't been thoroughly studied yet.
Why do I need to check my medications before taking this?
Heliocare's extract may slow how your liver breaks down many common drugs—cholesterol medications, blood pressure drugs, allergy medications, and others—which could raise their levels in your body. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether it's safe to combine with what you're taking.

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

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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.

Heliocare label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Heliocare'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 2 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.

Polypodium Leucotomos 2 references
  1. Goh CL, Chuah SY, Tien S, Thng G, Vitale MA, Delgado-Rubin A. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Polypodium leucotomos extract in the treatment of melasma in Asian skin: a pilot study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2018;11(3
  2. Shinya K, Nishimura Y, Ryu K, et al. Short-term administration of Polypodium leucotomos extract does not inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of midazolam in healthy subjects: an open-label, two-period, fixed-sequence study. Int J Dermatol 2022.

See these in context on the Polypodium Leucotomos 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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