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Dietary supplement

Horny Goat Weed Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nootropics Depot

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

Horny Goat Weed is a dietary supplement by Nootropics Depot with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for erectile dysfunction, low libido, fatigue and low energy.Based on those ingredients, 963 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot

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 product contains a single active ingredient: Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract, a botanical concentrate from the horny goat weed plant. There are no inactive ingredients listed — what you're getting is the extract itself.

Does it work?

Insufficient 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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: sexual function and vitality support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Erectile dysfunction (ED), Sexual dysfunction, Fatigue, Postmenopausal conditions, Low libido, Energy — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Horny Goat Weed is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Sexual dysfunction (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Horny Goat Weed is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Erectile dysfunction (ED), Fatigue, Postmenopausal conditions.

The evidence for horny goat weed is inconclusive. We hold insufficient reliable evidence to say whether it works for sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, bronchitis, or coronary heart disease.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the studies we have aren't strong enough to prove it either way. If you're thinking about it for one of these uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's actually been tested.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Horny Goat Weed

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.

Short-term use of horny goat weed seems to be generally well tolerated, though human safety data is limited and product quality varies. The most common side effects are dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting.

One case report described a heart rhythm problem (tachyarrhythmia) in a man after two weeks of use, but it's unclear whether it was caused by this product alone or a mixture of ingredients. Long-term use has been linked to reports of vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed.

Pregnancy safety data is insufficient — the evidence advises against use during pregnancy. There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Horny Goat Weed

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 — Horny Goat Weed.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 964 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 taking this product, check whether you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or aspirin, blood pressure medications, hormone therapy or birth control, or any drugs processed through your liver's CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4 pathways — all are affected. The most serious is bleeding risk with anticoagulants.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Horny goat weed may appeal to someone looking for a sexual wellness supplement, but the evidence for it doesn't yet support that use. If you take any blood pressure medications, blood thinners, hormone therapy, or drugs processed through your liver's CYP enzymes, you need to check with us first — the interaction potential is significant.

Start by searching your medications below.

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 May 24, 2023.

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 Horny Goat Weed, straight from the product label.

Brand Nootropics Depot
Net contents 60 Gram(s); 2.11 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2023
DSLD ID 285712
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) 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 Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot, 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:
500 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
500 mg
Servings per container
120
IngredientAmount% DV
Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract500 mg--

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

Minimum Icariin Content 10%

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Precautions

Disclaimer: Transfer scoops are not accurate forms of measurement. A milligram scale is needed to accurately measure dosages. Always consult with a qualified health physician before taking any new dietary supplement.

Warning: Keep out of reach of children. Do not take this or any other supplement if under the age of 18, pregnant or nursing a baby, or if you have any known or suspected medical conditions, and/or taking prescription drug(s) or OTC medication(s).

Do not take this or any other supplement if under the age of 18, pregnant or nursing a baby, or if you have any known or suspected medical conditions, and/or taking prescription drug(s) or OTC medication(s).

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 500mg once daily.

Storage

Storage: Store in a cool and dry place. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.

See for yourself

Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot

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

Serving size500 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract

Interacts with
963 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: lcariin

Horny goat weed (Epimedium) is a traditional Chinese herb most often marketed for low libido and erectile problems, but solid human evidence for these...

Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horny Goat Weed?

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
963Drugs
963 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Horny Goat Weed 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.

Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Extract6 drug types · 963 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research and animal research shows that horny goat weed can inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of hypotension.
Laboratory research suggests that horny goat weed might have hypotensive effects. This effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP1A2. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP2B6 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP2B6. This effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed extract inhibits CYP3A4 and suppresses CYP3A4 mRNA expression. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, concomitant use of horny goat weed with estrogens might increase their therapeutic and adverse effects.
In vitro evidence suggests that horny goat weed has estrogenic activity. In clinical research, horny goat weed has been shown to increase blood levels of estrogen in some females.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Horny Goat Weed, from the product label.

Nootropics Depot

See all Nootropics Depot products
Name
Nootropics Depot
Street Address
8380 S. Kyrene Rd. Ste. 110
City
Tempe
State
AZ
ZipCode
85284
Web Address
nootropicsdepot.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot: Common Questions

Does Horny Goat Weed by Nootropics Depot interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horny Goat Weed has a known interaction with 963 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Horny Goat Weed 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.
Can I take horny goat weed if I'm pregnant?
No. The safety data available advises against use during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering this product.
Is it safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough data to know either way. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you're nursing — they can help you weigh what we know and what we don't.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common ones are dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting. These tend to happen with short-term use, and long-term use has been linked to similar complaints. If any bother you, stop and let us know.
Does horny goat weed actually work for sexual dysfunction?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say. We hold insufficient reliable data to prove whether it works for that or for osteoporosis, bronchitis, or heart disease — all uses people ask about.
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
The extract in it slows down three major enzyme systems in your liver that break down a huge range of drugs. When those enzymes work slower, drugs can build up in your body and cause stronger effects — and sometimes stronger side effects too.

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

Not sure if Horny Goat Weed 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.

Horny Goat Weed label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horny Goat Weed'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 11 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.

Horny Goat Weed 11 references
  1. Cirigliano MD, Szapary PO. Horny goat weed for erectile dysfunction. Alt Med Alert 2001;4:19-22.
  2. Partin JF, Pushkin YR. Tachyarrhythmia and hypomania with horny goat weed. Psychosomatics 2004;45:536-7. PubMed
  3. De Naeyer A, Pocock V, Milligan S, De Keukeleire D. Estrogenic activity of a polyphenolic extract of the leaves of Epimedium brevicornum. Fitoterapia 2005;76:35-40. PubMed
  4. Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, et al. In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98:295-300. PubMed
  5. Yap SP, Shen P, Li J, et al. Molecular and pharmacodynamic properties of estrogenic extracts from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Epimedium. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;113:218-24. PubMed
  6. Yan, F. F., Liu, Y., Liu, Y. F., and Zhao, Y. X. Herba Epimedii water extract elevates estrogen level and improves lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women. Phytother.Res. 2008;22(9):1224-1228. PubMed
  7. Ramanathan VS, Mitropoulos E, Shlopov B, et al. An Enzyte'ing' case of acute hepatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2011;45(9):834-5. PubMed
  8. Zhong Q, Shi Z, Zhang L, et al. The potential of Epimedium koreanum Nakai for herb-drug interaction. J Pharm Pharmacol 2017;69(10):1398-408. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12773.
  9. Irfan M, Kwon TH, Lee DH, et al. Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Effects of Epimedium koreanum Nakai. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Apr 2021;2021:7071987. PubMed
  10. Tan K, Yang W, Pang L, Hou F. Differences in clinical characteristics among 726 patients with Chinese herbal medicine- or Western medicine-induced liver injury. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022;101(32):e29909. PubMed
  11. Li K, Yu XH, Maskey AR, et al. Cytochrome P450 3A4 suppression by epimedium and active compound kaempferol leads to synergistic anti-inflammatory effect with corticosteroid. Front Pharmacol 2023;13:1042756. PubMed

See these in context on the Horny Goat Weed 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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