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Dietary supplement

HMF Forte Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Genestra Brands

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

HMF Forte is a dietary supplement by Genestra Brands with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive and gut health, prebiotic to support good bacteria, constipation relief.Based on those ingredients, 182 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Probiotic Consortium. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of HMF Forte by Genestra Brands

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 3 active ingredients.
  • “Probiotic Consortium” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

HMF Forte contains 3 active ingredients working together as a digestive and gut-health support. Fructooligosaccharides is a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria.

The probiotic consortium includes Lactobacillus acidophilus (two strains: CUL-60 and CUL-21) and Bifidobacterium species (two strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis and B. bifidum), which are live, beneficial bacteria meant to support your gut flora. The capsule also holds inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, silica, and sunflower lecithin — that help hold it together.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Digestive health and gut microbiota balance.
  • We looked for evidence on: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Lactose intolerance, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Clostridioides difficile infection — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Helicobacter pylori, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Also on file: Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis is rated "Possibly Effective" for Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The probiotics in this formula have some evidence behind them. Lactobacillus acidophilus is rated Possibly Effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and bacterial vaginosis.

Bifidobacterium lactis is rated Possibly Effective for respiratory tract infections, IBS, and constipation. Fructooligosaccharides, the prebiotic fiber, lacks reliable evidence for the conditions studied so far — osteoporosis, constipation, diabetes, traveler's diarrhea, and cholesterol — so we can't say whether it works for those uses based on the data we hold.

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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Both probiotic strains are generally well tolerated in healthy adults and children. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and mild: abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and burping.

These are uncommon when the probiotics are used as directed. Fructooligosaccharides can cause gas and bloating, especially at higher doses, but clinical trials suggest doses under 10 grams daily are generally mild.

Since supplement-level use of FOS and the safety data for this specific probiotic blend are limited, check with your doctor before starting. Rare serious infections from probiotics have been reported in the medical literature, mainly in people with weakened immunity — discuss your individual risk with your healthcare provider.

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?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 182 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 HMF Forte, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on any antibiotic drugs. Antibiotics can reduce how well the probiotics in this product work by killing the live organisms.

Your healthcare provider can help you space the doses a few hours apart to protect the probiotics' effectiveness.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

HMF Forte is a multi-strain probiotic with prebiotic support, most useful if you're dealing with IBS, antibiotic-related diarrhea, or supporting general gut health. If you're taking antibiotics, space them away from this product and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best timing.

Gas and bloating are the main mild side effects to expect, and serious infection risk is rare but possible in vulnerable people. Check with your own healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have a weakened immune system or are taking medications.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 22, 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 HMF Forte, straight from the product label.

Brand Genestra Brands
Barcode (UPC) 883196155989
Net contents 50 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 22, 2021
DSLD ID 256923
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for HMF Forte by Genestra Brands, 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)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
883196155989
IngredientAmount% DV
Fructooligosaccharides100 mg--
Probiotic Consortium0 NP--
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL-60 & CUL-21)0 NP--
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (CUL-34) & Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL-20)0 NP--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silica, Sunflower Lecithin

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.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Content may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity. Scan to learn about our quality excellence

Genestra HMF (Human Microflora) Probiotics offer: Clinically studied, proprietary strains Doctor-recommended for over 20 years Research-driven, condition-specific formulas Potency guaranteed through expiration

Daily maintenance

Formulation

Dairy free Gluten free Soy free Non GMO

Vegan

Supports gastrointestinal health 20 billion CFU guaranteed daily

Supports GI health

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Dose: Take 1 capsule 2 times daily with meals or as recommended by your health professional.

Precautions

Warning: If you have an immune-compromised condition, do not use.

If you are pregnant or lactating, have any health condition or are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.

If symptoms of digestive upset occur, stop use and consult your health professional.

Keep out of the reach of children.

This product was sealed for your protection. Do not use if box or contents are open or damaged.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

New shelf-stable format

No refrigeration necessary

FDA Statement of Identity

Probiotic Supplement

See for yourself

HMF Forte by Genestra Brands label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in HMF Forte by Genestra Brands

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 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.

Fructooligosaccharides

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the helpful bacteria in your gut. They are gener...

Fructooligosaccharides monograph & interactions

Probiotic Consortium

Interacts with
182 drugs
0 NP per serving

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a 'friendly' bacterium used as a probiotic to support gut and vaginal health. It is generally well tolerated in healthy p...

Probiotic Consortium monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silica, Sunflower Lecithin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

HMF Forte by Genestra Brands Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against HMF Forte?

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
182Drugs
182 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in HMF Forte 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.

Probiotic Consortium1 drug type · 182 drugs

Antibiotic Drugs

Theoretically, taking Lactobacillus acidophilus with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of L. acidophilus.
L. acidophilus preparations usually contain live and active organisms. Therefore, simultaneously taking antibiotics might kill a significant number of the organisms. Tell patients to separate administration of antibiotics and L. acidophilus preparations by at least two hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for HMF Forte, from the product label.

Genestra Brands

Name
Seroyal USA
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15275
Phone Number
1-888-737-6925
Web Address
seroyal.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

HMF Forte by Genestra Brands: Common Questions

Does HMF Forte by Genestra Brands interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, HMF Forte has a known interaction with 182 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
HMF Forte 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.
Can I take HMF Forte while I'm on antibiotics?
Yes, but timing matters. Antibiotics can kill the live bacteria in this probiotic, so they work best when separated by a few hours. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about the right spacing for your specific antibiotic.
What side effects should I expect?
Most people experience mild gas, bloating, or abdominal discomfort, especially when first starting. These are usually temporary. Diarrhea can also happen but is uncommon. If they persist or worsen, check with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to take HMF Forte while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Lactobacillus acidophilus is rated Possibly Safe in pregnancy. We don't have enough data on the other ingredients to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What does the prebiotic (FOS) in here actually do?
Fructooligosaccharides is a type of fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, helping them thrive. It's a prebiotic — the partner to probiotics — though reliable evidence for specific health claims is limited.
Does HMF Forte work for IBS or constipation?
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis are both rated Possibly Effective for IBS, and Bifidobacterium lactis shows possibly effective evidence for constipation. Results vary person to person, so give it time and talk to your doctor if you don't see improvement.
Is this product safe if I have a weak immune system?
Check with your doctor first. Probiotics are generally well tolerated, but rare infections from live probiotic bacteria have been reported in people with compromised immunity. Your healthcare provider can assess your individual risk.

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

Not sure if HMF Forte 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.

HMF Forte label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

HMF Forte'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 29 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.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) 6 references
  1. Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7.
  2. Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. PubMed
  3. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. PubMed
  4. Souza DDS, Tahan S, Weber TK, Araujo-Filho HB, de Morais MB. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial assessing the effect of fructooligosaccharides in infants with constipation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). pii: E1602. PubMed
  5. Andermann TM, Fouladi F, Tamburini FB, et al. A Fructo-Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Is Well Tolerated in Adults Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2021;27(11):932. PubMed
  6. Dou Y, Yu X, Luo Y, Chen B, Ma D, Zhu J. Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Human: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3298. PubMed

See these in context on the Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) monograph →

Lactobacillus Acidophilus 15 references
  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. Begtrup LM, de Muckadell OB, Kjeldsen J, Christensen RD, Jarbøl DE. Long-term treatment with probiotics in primary care patients with irritable bowel syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 2013;48(10):1127-35 PubMed
  3. Chatterjee S, Kar P, Das T, Ray S, Gangulyt S, Rajendiran C, Mitra M. Randomised placebo-controlled double blind multicentric trial on efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium BB-12 for prevention of antibiotic-associated
  4. Shavakhi A, Tabesh E, Yaghoutkar A, Hashemi H, Tabesh F, Khodadoostan M,Minakari M, Shavakhi S, Gholamrezaei A. The effects of multistrain probiotic compound on bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: a randomized placebo-c
  5. Karamali M, Dadkhah F, Sadrkhanlou M, et al. Effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes Metab 2016;42(4):234-41. PubMed
  6. Badehnoosh B, Karamali M, Zarrati M, et al. The effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 May;31(9):1128-1136.
  7. Kumar S, Kumar R, Rohilla L, Jacob N, Yadav J, Sachdeva N. A high potency multi-strain probiotic improves glycemic control in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study. Pediatr Diabete
  8. Shahriari A, Karimi E, Shahriari M, Aslani N, Khooshideh M, Arab A. The effect of probiotic supplementation on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among high-risk pregnant women: A parallel double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial PubMed
  9. Xiao SD, Zhang DZ, Lu H, et al. Multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB in patients with chronic diarrhea. Adv Ther. 2003;20(5):253-60.
  10. Rossi F, Amadoro C, Gasperi M, Colavita G. Lactobacilli infection case reports in the last three years and safety implications. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1178. PubMed
  11. Ozer M, Goksu SY, Shahverdiani A, Mustafa M. Lactobacillus acidophilus-induced endocarditis and associated splenic abscess. Case Rep Infect Dis 2020;2020:1382709.
  12. Sadrin S, Sennoune S, Gout B, et al. A 2-strain mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Dig Liver Dis 2020;52(5):534-540. PubMed
  13. Stoffer JN, Slingsby TJ, Giuliari GP. Lactobacillus acidophilus endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection requiring intraocular lens explantation. Can J Ophthalmol 2022;57(1):e21-e22. PubMed
  14. Cukovic-Cavka S, Likic R, Francetic I, Rustemovic N, Opacic M, Vucelic B. Lactobacillus acidophilus as a cause of liver abscess in a NOD2/CARD15-positive patient with Crohn's disease. Digestion 2006;73(2-3):107-10.
  15. Hui J, Ren Y, Wang Y, Han Q. Lactobacillus acidophilus endophthalmitis postcataract operation: A case report with a literature review. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023.

See these in context on the Lactobacillus Acidophilus monograph →

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis 8 references
  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. Phuapradit P, Varavithya W, Vathanophas K, et al. Reduction of rotavirus infection in children receiving bifidobacteria-supplemented formula. J Med Assoc Thai 1999;82:S43-8.
  3. Xiao JZ, Takahashi S, Odamaki T, et al. Antibiotic susceptibility of bifidobacterial strains distributed in the Japanese market. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(2):336-42. PubMed
  4. Begtrup LM, de Muckadell OB, Kjeldsen J, Christensen RD, Jarbøl DE. Long-term treatment with probiotics in primary care patients with irritable bowel syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 2013;48(10):1127-35 PubMed
  5. Taipale TJ, Pienihäkkinen K, Isolauri E, Jokela JT, Söderling EM. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood. Pediatr Res. 2016;79(1-1):65-9. PubMed
  6. Amat-Bou M, Garcia-Ribera S, Climent E, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp. lactis (BPL1) supplementation in children and adolescents with prader-willi syndrome: A randomized crossover trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3123. PubMed
  7. Mäkelä SM, Forssten SD, Kailajärvi M, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 on gastrointestinal inflammation induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Br J Clin Ph
  8. Wildt S, Munck LK, Vinter-Jensen L, et al. Probiotic treatment of collagenous colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2006;12(5):395-401. PubMed

See these in context on the Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis 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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