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Dietary supplement

Horny Goat Weed with Maca Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Puritan's Pride

Horny Goat Weed with Maca label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Horny Goat Weed with Maca against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

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

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Check Your Meds Against Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

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 supplement contains 2 active ingredients: maca root extract and horny goat weed aerial extract. The product also includes inactive ingredients — gelatin, dicalcium phosphate, silica, and magnesium stearate — which are the capsule material and binders.

Maca is a plant root used traditionally for energy and sexual function. Horny goat weed is an aerial part extract (the above-ground portions) also used for sexual and reproductive health.

Neither ingredient is a pharmaceutical drug, but both are herbal extracts with effects on your body.

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.
  • We looked for evidence on: Erectile dysfunction (ED), Sexual desire, Sexual dysfunction, Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Age-related testosterone deficiency, Male infertility — 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 we hold doesn't establish that either ingredient works for any of the conditions it's marketed for. Maca root extract shows insufficient reliable evidence for amenorrhea, anemia, antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, and osteoporosis.

Horny goat weed shows insufficient reliable evidence for sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, bronchitis, and coronary heart disease. That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the studies we have access to are too limited or inconclusive to rate it.

If you're considering this for a specific health goal, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what the current research actually supports.

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 short-term use, but human safety data is limited and product quality varies. Common side effects 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 case of an abnormal heart rhythm was reported after use, though causality couldn't be confirmed.

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

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy for both ingredients. There isn't enough data to know if either is safe while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using if you're pregnant or 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, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (moderate risk of increased bleeding), blood pressure medications (moderate risk of lower blood pressure), estrogen therapies or birth control (moderate risk of increased estrogen effects), or medications metabolized through CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4 in your liver (moderate risk of increased drug effects and side effects).

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 taking blood thinners, blood pressure medications, estrogen-based therapies, or medications processed through your liver, check with your pharmacist before starting this. Horny goat weed's short-term side effects are usually mild, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied, and neither ingredient has strong evidence for the health claims made about them.

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 Jun 22, 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 with Maca, straight from the product label.

Brand Puritan's Pride
Barcode (UPC) 074312173219
Net contents 60 Rapid Release Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 22, 2023
DSLD ID 286191
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (18-50 Years), 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 Puritan's Pride, 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
074312173219
IngredientAmount% DV
Maca root extract75 mg--
Horny Goat Weed Aerial Extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate

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

Puritan's Pride supplements are produced from the finest raw materials under stringent quality standards. State-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging facilities ensure you the highest quality nutritional supplements money can buy. When it comes to your health...choose the best.

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 reach of children.

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

Storage

Store at room temperature.

Formula

Our product features horny goat weed, one of the orient's most exotic herbs, and maca, an herb traditionally used in Peru.

Erotic herb for men Men's performance products

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2020 Puritan's Pride, Inc.

Seals/Symbols

QA Quality Assured

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

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

Formulation

No artificial color, flavor or sweetener, no sugar, no starch, no milk, no lactose, no soy, no gluten, no wheat, no yeast, no fish. Sodium free.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride label

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

Horny Goat Weed with Maca label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride

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 root 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 root extract monograph & interactions

Horny Goat Weed Aerial Extract

Interacts with
963 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Epimedium grandiflorum Aerial Extract

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 Aerial Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride 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

Horny Goat Weed Aerial Extract 963

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Horny Goat Weed with Maca interact with 963 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in Horny Goat Weed with Maca interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Horny Goat Weed Aerial Extract

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 Aerial 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
Horny Goat Weed Aerial Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Puritan's Pride

See all Puritan's Pride products
Name
Puritan's Pride, Inc.
City
Ronkonkoma
State
NY
ZipCode
11779
Phone Number
1-800-645-1030
Web Address
www.puritan.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride: Common Questions

Does Horny Goat Weed with Maca by Puritan's Pride 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?
The safety data advises against horny goat weed during pregnancy. For maca, there isn't enough data either way during pregnancy — talk with your doctor before using. For breastfeeding, neither ingredient has enough safety information; ask your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.
What side effects might I experience?
Short-term use typically causes mild side effects: dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, or vomiting are most common. Long-term use has been linked to similar symptoms. Fresh maca may cause stomach pain. In very rare cases, heart rhythm problems have been reported, though the link isn't proven.
Does this product actually work for sexual function?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish that either ingredient reliably improves sexual dysfunction — there just aren't enough solid studies. Talk with your doctor if sexual dysfunction is a concern for you; there may be other options with clearer evidence.
Is this safe to use long-term?
Long-term safety hasn't been well studied, especially for horny goat weed. Maca is generally well tolerated as a food, but supplement safety data is limited. If you're thinking about long-term use, chat with your pharmacist first.
Why does this interact with so many medications?
Horny goat weed can inhibit enzymes in your liver (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP3A4) that break down many different drugs. When those enzymes slow down, your body processes those medications differently, which can change their effects and side effects. That's why the total adds up to hundreds of affected drugs even though only one ingredient causes the interactions.

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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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 with Maca label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Horny Goat Weed with Maca’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Maca

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

Read the full Maca monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Horny Goat Weed

Interacts with 963 drugs

Horny goat weed (Epimedium) is a traditional Chinese herb most often marketed for low libido and erectile problems, but solid human evidence for these uses is lacking. While short-term use s...

Read the full Horny Goat Weed monograph →
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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