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Dietary supplement

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg is a dietary supplement by NOW with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for low libido and sexual function, energy and stamina, menopause symptoms.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 Aerial Part, Leaf Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW

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.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product has two active ingredients. Maca is a root vegetable used traditionally to support sexual function and fertility.

Epimedium, also called horny goat weed, is an herb whose aerial parts and leaves are extracted and included here for the same purpose. The rest of the tablet is made up of inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, stearic acid, and several others — which help hold the tablet together and aid absorption.

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: traditional tonic for sexual function and vitality.
  • We looked for evidence on: Sexual desire, Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Male infertility, Age-related testosterone deficiency, Postmenopausal conditions, Fatigue — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Maca is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Maca is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fatigue, Postmenopausal conditions, Sexual desire, and more.

The evidence for maca is limited. For amenorrhea (absent menstrual periods), anemia, antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, and osteoporosis, the data we have rates maca as having insufficient reliable evidence to know whether it works.

We hold no effectiveness data for epimedium aerial part and leaf extract.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Maca 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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Maca is generally well tolerated when used as a food, but its long-term safety as a supplement hasn't been studied thoroughly. Fresh, uncooked maca may cause stomach pain.

The safety data advises against maca during pregnancy. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether maca is safe while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

We hold no safety data for epimedium.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Maca 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 2 matched ingredients 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.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check. Epimedium could not be checked.

If you take any medications — especially blood pressure, blood sugar, or hormone-related drugs — verify them on this page first.

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.

If you're interested in trying this for sexual function, know that the evidence for maca is incomplete. Maca is generally well tolerated, but pregnancy and breastfeeding are times to skip it or check with your pharmacist first.

Run your medications through the interaction checker before you start.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2024.

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 Extract 750 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739047588
Net contents 90 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2024
DSLD ID 314391
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), 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 Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
733739047588
IngredientAmount% DV
Maca150 mg--
Epimedium Aerial Part, Leaf Extract750 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silicon Dioxide, Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Sunflower Lecithin, Triethyl Citrate, Sunflower Oil

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 Usage: Take 1 tablet daily, preferably with a meal.

Formula

Horny goat weed is an ornamental plant that also has a long history of traditional use in Chinese herbalism. In China, horny goat weed is called yin yang huo because it is a tonic for the female (yin) and the male (yang). Epimedium was thought to “tonify life’s gate” - a term used to refer to the "vital energy" in men. NOW Horny Goat Weed Extract is combined with maca, another herb known for its tonifying properties.

Tonifying herb

Suitable for men and women

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg plus 150 mg of maca root

Triangle K (Kosher)

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.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult physician if taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Formulation

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Non-GMO

Vegetarian/Vegan

Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts or sesame ingredients.

General Statements

This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.

Botanicals/Herbs Family owned since 1968.

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Triangle K (Kosher)

GMP Quality Assured

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening.

See for yourself

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container90 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.

Maca

No known
interactions
150 mg per serving Form: Lepidium meyenii

Maca is a nutrient-rich Andean root often used for energy, libido, and menopause symptoms. Early studies suggest it may modestly help sexual desire an...

Maca monograph & interactions

Epimedium Aerial Part, Leaf Extract

Interacts with
963 drugs
750 mg per serving Form: Horny Goat Weed Aerial Part Extract, Horny Goat Weed Leaf Extract, Icariin

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 Aerial Part, Leaf Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silicon Dioxide, Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Sunflower Lecithin, Triethyl Citrate, Sunflower Oil. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg?

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 Extract 750 mg 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 Aerial Part, 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 Extract 750 mg, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW: Common Questions

Does Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg by NOW interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg 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 Extract 750 mg 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 maca safe during pregnancy?
The safety data advises against maca during pregnancy. There isn't enough reliable information for breastfeeding either. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.
Can maca cause side effects?
Maca is generally well tolerated. Fresh, uncooked maca may cause stomach pain, but this product is an extract. Long-term safety as a supplement hasn't been studied in depth, so if you notice anything unusual, let us know.
Does this product actually work for sexual dysfunction?
For antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and other uses, the evidence for maca is insufficient — we can't say whether it works based on current data. We hold no effectiveness data for epimedium either. Your results may vary.
What's the difference between maca and epimedium in this product?
Both are traditionally used for sexual function and fertility, but they're different plants. Maca is a root vegetable; epimedium is an herb. Neither has strong evidence behind it yet.
Does this product have fillers?
Yes — it contains microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, stearic acid, and several other inactive ingredients that help form and stabilize the tablet.

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

Not sure if Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg is safe with your meds?

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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 Extract 750 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horny Goat Weed Extract 750 mg'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 12 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.

Maca 1 reference
  1. Valerio, L. G., Jr. and Gonzales, G. F. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis. Toxicol.Rev 2005;24(1):11-35. PubMed

See these in context on the Maca monograph →

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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