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Dietary supplement

Horny Goat Weed With Maca Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sundown Naturals

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 Sundown Naturals 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 Sundown Naturals

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. Maca is a root used traditionally to support energy and sexual function, though the evidence for its effects isn't well established.

Horny goat weed, also called epimedium, has been studied for sexual dysfunction and other uses, but again the evidence is insufficient to prove it works for those purposes. The capsules also contain inactive ingredients — gelatin, dicalcium phosphate, and a few other minor components — that help hold and deliver the active ingredients.

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.

The evidence for both ingredients in this product is insufficient. Maca extract hasn't been reliably studied for amenorrhea (absent periods), anemia, antidepressant-related sexual problems, athletic performance, or bone health.

Horny goat weed similarly lacks solid evidence for sexual dysfunction, bronchitis, osteoporosis, or heart disease. That doesn't mean these ingredients don't work — it means the research isn't there yet to say one way or the other.

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 as a food, but long-term safety in supplement amounts hasn't been studied closely. Fresh, uncooked maca may cause stomach pain.

Horny goat weed seems well tolerated when used short-term, though a small number of people have reported dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting. Rare cases of serious side effects like respiratory arrest have been reported, and one case of irregular heartbeat in a man taking horny goat weed was noted, though it's unclear whether it was caused by this product alone.

During pregnancy, maca safety data is insufficient — the facts advise against using it. Horny goat weed is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy and data on breastfeeding safety isn't available for either ingredient.

If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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 you start, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), blood pressure medications, estrogens or hormones (including birth control), or any medications processed by your liver as CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4 substrates. Horny goat weed may increase their effects and your risk of side effects or complications.

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.

Use this product only if you're looking to try horny goat weed and maca for sexual function — but know the evidence for either ingredient isn't established yet. If you take a blood thinner, blood pressure medication, hormone product, or any prescription processed by your liver, you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Generally, short-term use seems tolerated, but avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

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 Feb 26, 2014.

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 Sundown Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 030768040116
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2014
DSLD ID 30628
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (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 Sundown Naturals, 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
030768040116
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.
Formula

Standardized Extract

Smart Facts Our product features Horny Goat Weed, one of the Orient’s most exotic herbs, and Maca, an herb traditionally used in Peru.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: FOR ADULTS, TAKE TWO (2) CAPSULES TWICE DAILY, PREFERABLY WITH A MEAL.

General

Prod. No. 48689 08F B52784 BAC

FDA Statement of Identity

HERBAL SUPPLEMENT

Precautions

TAMPER RESISTANT: DO NOT USE IF SEAL UNDER CAP IS BROKEN OR MISSING.

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.

Seals/Symbols

{Bottle} PLEASE RECYCLE

GUARANTEED LABORATORY TESTED QUALITY

{Wheat} FREE OF Gluten & Wheat

Storage

STORE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND AVOID EXCESSIVE HEAT.

General Statements

As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

Brand IP Statement(s)

(C)2013

Formulation

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.

See for yourself

Horny Goat Weed With Maca by Sundown Naturals 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 Sundown Naturals

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 Sundown Naturals 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.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horny Goat Weed With Maca by Sundown Naturals: Common Questions

Does Horny Goat Weed With Maca by Sundown Naturals 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 — maca should be avoided during pregnancy, and horny goat weed is rated possibly unsafe during pregnancy. There isn't enough safety data for either ingredient while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people tolerate short-term use well. The most common side effects reported are dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting. Fresh, uncooked maca can cause stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare but have been reported.
Does horny goat weed actually work for sexual dysfunction?
The evidence isn't established yet — we don't have reliable data to say whether it works. The same goes for maca. Both have been used traditionally for this purpose, but research hasn't proven the effect.
Why do I need to check my medications with this product?
Horny goat weed can interact with blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, hormones, and several types of medications your liver processes. These interactions are based on lab research and haven't been proven in people, but they're worth checking before you start.
What is maca used for in this product?
Maca is a root used traditionally to support sexual function, energy, and athletic performance. However, the evidence for these uses isn't established, and long-term safety in supplement form hasn't been well studied.

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
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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