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Dietary supplement

Horny Goat Weed with Maca Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Bounty

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

Horny Goat Weed with Maca is a dietary supplement by Nature's Bounty 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 Horny Goat Weed extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty

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 contains 2 active ingredients: maca extract and horny goat weed extract. Both are plant-derived compounds traditionally used to support sexual function and overall vitality, though the evidence for their effectiveness is not yet established in rigorous trials.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and dicalcium phosphate, which are inactive fillers.

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 libido support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Erectile dysfunction (ED), Sexual desire, Sexual dysfunction, Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Age-related testosterone deficiency, Male infertility — and 3 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 Sexual desire, Age-related testosterone deficiency, Male infertility.
  • Also on file: Horny Goat Weed is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Sexual dysfunction, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Male infertility.

We don't have established evidence that either ingredient works for any of the conditions they're marketed for. For maca, the research on amenorrhea, anemia, antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, and bone health is insufficient to rate.

Horny goat weed has the same story—claims about sexual dysfunction, bronchitis, heart disease, and bone health lack reliable evidence in the data we hold. That doesn't mean they don't work; it means large, well-run studies haven't proven they do yet.

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.

Horny goat weed is generally well tolerated in the short term, though human safety data is limited and product quality varies. Common side effects from short-term use include dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting.

Long-term use has been linked to reports of vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed. A rare serious effect—respiratory arrest—has been reported, and one case of irregular heart rhythm (tachyarrhythmia) occurred in a man with heart disease after 2 weeks, though it's unclear whether horny goat weed alone caused it.

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

For pregnancy: horny goat weed is rated possibly unsafe, so avoid it if you're pregnant. Maca safety data in supplements isn't sufficient, so avoid it too during pregnancy.

For breastfeeding: both ingredients lack enough safety data—avoid horny goat weed and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about maca before nursing.

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.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or blood pressure medications—horny goat weed may strengthen their effects. Also flag any drugs processed through your liver's CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4 pathways, and any estrogen-containing medications including birth control or hormone therapy.

The interaction tool on this page can help you verify your exact medications.

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.

This product is marketed for sexual function, but we don't have solid evidence either ingredient delivers results. More importantly, horny goat weed carries moderate interaction risks with blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, and many medications metabolized by your liver—and potentially with estrogen-based medications.

If you take any prescriptions, check them against the tool on this page before starting. Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist first.

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 Dec 26, 2020.

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 with Maca, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Bounty
Barcode (UPC) 074312073212
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 26, 2020
DSLD ID 239079
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 with Maca by Nature's Bounty, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
074312073212
IngredientAmount% DV
Maca extract75 mg--
Horny Goat Weed extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Contains <2% of

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

Nearly 50 years of trusted quality At Nature’s Bounty, we are committed to your health. For nearly 50 years we have been making trusted products, backed by science, and made with only the purest ingredients...guaranteed. So you can get the most out of life every day.

Nutrition Questions or Comments? Call 1-800-433-2990 Mon. - Sat. 9 AM - 7 PM ET Sign up for news and offers at NaturesBounty.com

Formulation

Guaranteed Quality Laboratory Tested

Non-GMO, No Artificial Color, No Artificial Flavor, No Artificial Sweetener, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.

Exotic Herbal Formula Herbal health

Made In The USA with select ingredients from around the world

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, take two (2) capsules twice daily, preferably with meals.

Precautions

Warning: Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. If you are taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Storage

Store at room temperature.

Brand IP Statement(s)

2020 Nature’s Bounty, Inc.

See for yourself

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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 extract

No known
interactions
75 mg per serving

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 extract monograph & interactions

Horny Goat Weed extract

Interacts with
963 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: 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...

Horny Goat Weed extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horny Goat Weed with Maca?

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 Maca 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.

Horny Goat Weed 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 with Maca, from the product label.

Nature's Bounty

See all Nature's Bounty products
Name
Nature's Bounty, Inc.
City
Bohemia
State
NY
ZipCode
11716
Phone Number
1-800-433-2990
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty: Common Questions

Does Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Nature's Bounty interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horny Goat Weed with Maca 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 with Maca 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Horny goat weed is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy, so you should avoid it. Maca hasn't been studied enough in supplements to know either way, so avoid it too and talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Neither ingredient has enough safety data for breastfeeding, so check with your doctor before nursing.
What's the difference between the two ingredients?
Maca and horny goat weed are two separate plant extracts. Maca has no documented interactions, while horny goat weed can interact with blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, and medications processed by your liver. Only horny goat weed carries those risks.
Does this actually work for sexual dysfunction?
The evidence isn't established yet. Horny goat weed is marketed for sexual dysfunction, but large, reliable trials haven't proven it works. The same goes for maca. That's why we rate both as insufficient reliable evidence.
What side effects might I experience?
Short-term use of horny goat weed may cause dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, or vomiting. Maca from uncooked sources can cause stomach pain. Long-term use of horny goat weed has been linked to dry mouth, thirst, nosebleed, and vomiting. Respiratory arrest is rare but has been reported.
Will this interact with my blood pressure or heart medications?
Horny goat weed may lower blood pressure further, so talk with your doctor if you're on blood pressure drugs. It may also increase bleeding risk if you take blood thinners. Use the search tool on this page to check your specific medications before you start.
Will this interact with birth control or hormone therapy?
Possibly. Horny goat weed has estrogenic activity and may strengthen estrogen's effects, which could affect how your birth control or hormone medication works. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.

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

Not sure if Horny Goat Weed with Maca 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.

Horny Goat Weed with Maca label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horny Goat Weed with Maca'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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