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Dietary supplement

Hops Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Hops is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sleep problems and insomnia, anxiety and restlessness, menopausal symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 863 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are fresh Hops strobile extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist

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.

This is a straightforward one-ingredient liquid: fresh hops strobile extract — that's the cone from the hops plant that's been extracted and concentrated. The extract is suspended in ethyl alcohol and distilled water.

That's it — no other active ingredients.

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 Hops's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Promotes restful sleep.
  • We looked for evidence on: Insomnia, Shift work disorder, Anxiety, sleep quality, sleep onset, sleep maintenance.
  • The closest evidence on file: Hops is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Hops is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Insomnia, Shift work disorder.

The evidence for hops on the conditions listed here — cognitive decline, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, ADHD, indigestion, and insomnia — is insufficient. That means we don't have solid data yet to say whether it works for any of them.

If you're considering hops for one of these reasons, talk it through with your doctor or pharmacist about what the research actually supports.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Hops

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.

Hops is generally well tolerated in the short term, but drowsiness is possible — which makes sense given its sedative properties. Long-term safety hasn't been well studied, so we don't know what happens if you take it for months or years.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are off-limits: there isn't enough safety information to recommend hops during pregnancy or while nursing. If you're in either situation and interested in hops, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

One more note: occupational exposure to hops dust (common in harvesting) is linked to chronic respiratory issues like cough and bronchitis; orally, there are rare reports of postmenopausal bleeding and menstrual changes, though it's unclear whether hops alone or a combination with other ingredients caused them.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Hops

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 — Hops.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 864 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 start, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take sedatives or other CNS depressants (sleeping pills, anti-anxiety meds) — hops may deepen drowsiness. Also flag any estrogen-based medications, including hormone replacement therapy.

Medications processed through liver enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 should be reviewed, though the interaction is likely minor.

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.

Hops may help with certain conditions, but the evidence isn't solid yet. The main cautions are drowsiness, interactions with sedatives and estrogen-based hormones, and the fact that safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is unknown.

If you take any sedatives, hormone medications, or drugs metabolized by your liver, check with your doctor or pharmacist 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 Apr 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 Hops, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056116088
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2018
DSLD ID 175825
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Organic
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 Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1.5 mL
Servings per container
40
UPC/BARCODE
667056116088
IngredientAmount% DV
fresh Hops strobile extract1.5 mL--

Other ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, distilled Water

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

Humulus lupulus

OK

General Statements

Promotes restful sleep

Botanical preparation ratio 1:3

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 20-30 drops (1-1.5 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Keep out of children's reach

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General

NO. HOP-2 1747WE

Seals/Symbols

OK

See for yourself

Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container40 Amounts shown are per serving.

Fresh Hops strobile extract

Interacts with
863 drugs
1.5 mL per serving

Hops are most often used for sleep and mild anxiety, frequently combined with valerian, but the human evidence is limited and not very strong. They ar...

Fresh Hops strobile extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, Distilled Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Hops?

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
863Drugs
289 Moderate 574 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Hops 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.

fresh Hops strobile extract4 drug types · 863 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of hops with sedative drugs might cause additive sedation.
Some animal research shows that hops has sedative effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, concomitant use of large amounts of hops might interfere with hormone replacement therapy due to competition for estrogen receptors.
In vitro research suggests that certain hops constituents can competitively bind to estrogen receptors. However, most hops extracts contain very small amounts of these constituents.

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

Hops extract does not seem to affect the metabolism of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that flavonoid constituents of hops inhibit CYP1A2 enzyme activity. However, a pharmacokinetic study in healthy postmenopausal patients shows that taking a standardized extract of spent hops containing prenylated phenols, as 59.5 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, does not affect levels of caffeine, a CYP1A2 probe substrate.

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

Theoretically, hops extract might alter metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates; however, this effect may not be clinically significant.
Animal research suggests that specific constituents of hops, called lupulones, can induce hepatic CYP3A4 enzyme activity. However, a pharmacokinetic study in healthy postmenopausal patients with normal metabolism shows that taking a standardized extract of spent hops containing prenylated phenols, as 59.5 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, decreases the concentration of alprazolam, a CYP3A4 probe substrate, by 7.6%. This reduction is unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Hops by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Hops has a known interaction with 863 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Hops 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.
Will this make me drowsy?
It may. Hops has sedative effects based on animal research, and drowsiness is a known side effect. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you, and definitely avoid it if you're already taking sleeping pills or sedatives.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data for pregnancy, and we don't have enough information about breastfeeding either. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives if you're pregnant or nursing.
Can hops help with insomnia or anxiety?
The evidence isn't established yet in our data. While hops does have sedative properties, we don't have solid research showing it actually works for insomnia or anxiety. Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss whether it's worth trying.
What's in this liquid besides the hops?
Just ethyl alcohol and distilled water — they're there to extract and preserve the hops compounds. No fillers or binders.
Can this affect my birth control or hormone therapy?
Possibly. Large amounts of hops might interfere with how estrogen-based medications work, though most hops extracts contain only small amounts of the compounds that do this. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any hormone medications.
Is there anything else I should watch for?
If you harvest or handle fresh hops, be aware that dust and pollen can cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Orally, there are rare reports of postmenopausal bleeding and menstrual changes in people taking hops with other ingredients like soy, though it's not clear what caused it.

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.

Hops label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Hops'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 15 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.

Hops 15 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998;217:369-78. PubMed
  4. Milligan SR, Kalita JC, Heyerick A, et al. Identification of a potent phytoestrogen in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and beer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999;84:2249-52.. PubMed
  5. Milligan SR, Kalita JC, Pocock V, et al. The endocrine activities of 8-prenylnaringenin and related hop (Humulus lupulus L.) flavonoids. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:4912-5.. DOI
  6. Henderson MC, Miranda CL, Stevens JF, et al. In vitro inhibition of human P450 enzymes by prenylated flavonoids from hops, Humulus lupulus. Xenobiotica 2000;30:235-51.. PubMed
  7. Mannering, G. J., Shoeman, J. A., and Deloria, L. B. Identification of the antibiotic hops component, colupulone, as an inducer of hepatic cytochrome P-4503A in the mouse. Drug Metab Dispos 1992;20(2):142-147. DOI
  8. Skorska, C., Mackiewicz, B., Gora, A., Golec, M., and Dutkiewicz, J. Health effects of inhalation exposure to organic dust in hops farmers. Ann.Univ Mariae.Curie Sklodowska [Med] 2003;58(1):459-465.
  9. Schiller, H., Forster, A., Vonhoff, C., Hegger, M., Biller, A., and Winterhoff, H. Sedating effects of Humulus lupulus L. extracts. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(8):535-541. PubMed
  10. van Hunsel, F. P. and Kampschoer, P. [Postmenopausal bleeding and dietary supplements: a possible causal relationship with hop- and soy-containing preparations]. Ned.Tijdschr.Geneeskd. 2012;156(41):A5095.
  11. Fenselau, C. and Talalay, P. Is oestrogenic activity present in hops? Food Cosmet.Toxicol. 1973;11(4):597-602. PubMed
  12. Godnic-Cvar, J., Zuskin, E., Mustajbegovic, J., Schachter, E. N., Kanceljak, B., Macan, J., Ilic, Z., and Ebling, Z. Respiratory and immunological findings in brewery workers. Am J Ind Med 1999;35(1):68-75. DOI
  13. Lee KM, Jung JS, Song DK, and et al. Effects of Humulus lupulus extract on the central nervous system in mice. Planta Med 1993;59(Suppl):A691.
  14. Assessment report on Humulus lupulus L., flos. European Medicines Agency, 2014. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-humulus-lupulus-l-flos_en.pdf. Accessed September 29, 2021.
  15. van Breemen RB, Chen L, Tonsing-Carter A, et al. Pharmacokinetic Interactions of a Hop Dietary Supplement with Drug Metabolism in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women. J Agric Food Chem. 2020;68(18):5212-5220. PubMed

See these in context on the Hops 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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