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Dietary supplement

Huperzine A 50 mcg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Premium Brand

Huperzine A 50 mcg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-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 Huperzine A 50 mcg 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

Huperzine A 50 mcg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Premium Brand with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and cognitive support, alzheimer's disease and dementia, age-related memory decline.Based on those ingredients, 219 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Huperzine A. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand

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 Aug 6, 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 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: huperzine A at 50 micrograms per capsule. Huperzine A is a plant alkaloid — a naturally derived compound — that works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in your brain involved in memory and cognitive function.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients: rice flour, gelatin, maltodextrin, and magnesium stearate. These are standard excipients that help form and preserve the capsule.

Does it work?

Moderate 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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Huperzine A's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Huperzine A for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Alzheimer disease — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for huperzine A breaks down by condition. For Alzheimer disease, the research suggests it may be effective — that's the strongest rating we have.

For athletic performance, cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, depression, and memory, the evidence isn't established enough to draw a conclusion. If you're considering this supplement for one of those other uses, talk it through with your doctor, since the data we hold doesn't show clear benefit.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Huperzine A

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.

Huperzine A taken by mouth is generally well tolerated, but it is a pharmacologically active compound and can cause real side effects — so use it with care and medical guidance. Dose-dependent cholinergic side effects are possible, including blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, sweating, and vomiting.

Decreased heart rate has also been reported in some cases. The safety data advises against using huperzine A during pregnancy.

Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it should be avoided then as well. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Huperzine A

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 — Huperzine A.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 219 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 huperzine A, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take anticholinergic drugs (used for dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary issues, or muscle weakness) or cholinergic drugs — both have Moderate interaction concerns. The mechanism behind these interactions is real, so a conversation with your healthcare provider about timing and dosing is important.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Huperzine A may be worth considering if you're interested in cognitive support and your doctor agrees — it shows possible effectiveness for Alzheimer disease. However, it's a real pharmaceutical compound with the potential for side effects and multiple drug interactions, so this isn't something to take casually.

Check your medications with your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you take anything that affects how your brain handles acetylcholine.

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 Jun 25, 2018.

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 Huperzine A 50 mcg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Premium Brand
Barcode (UPC) 087614116976
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2018
DSLD ID 178169
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614116976
IngredientAmount% DV
Huperzine A50 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Maltodextrin, 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

Bringing wellness to the world since 1969

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two to three times per day with 8 oz of water.

General

SW1697 Rev 0 12 12 17

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

See for yourself

Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand label

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

Huperzine A 50 mcg 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 Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Huperzine A

Interacts with
219 drugs
50 mg per serving

Huperzine A is a purified compound from a Chinese clubmoss that acts like a mild cholinesterase inhibitor, similar in mechanism to some prescription A...

Huperzine A monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Huperzine A 50 mcg?

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
219Drugs
219 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Huperzine A 219

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Huperzine A 50 mcg interact with 219 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Huperzine A 50 mcg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Huperzine A

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Huperzine A 50 mcg 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.

Huperzine A2 drug types · 219 drugs

Anticholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, huperzine A might decrease the effects of anticholinergic drugs.
Huperzine A has acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting effects. In animal models, huperzine A reversed cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine, an anticholinergic drug.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of huperzine A with cholinergic drugs might increase the effects and side effects of these medications.
Huperzine A can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and might cause cumulative effects if used with cholinergic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Huperzine A full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Huperzine A 50 mcg, from the product label.

Swanson Premium Brand

See all Swanson Premium Brand products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand: Common Questions

Does Huperzine A 50 mcg by Swanson Premium Brand interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Huperzine A 50 mcg has a known interaction with 219 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Huperzine A 50 mcg 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.
Is huperzine A safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against using it during pregnancy. Safety while breastfeeding is also unknown, so it should be avoided then too. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
What side effects might I experience?
Huperzine A can cause dose-dependent cholinergic side effects — blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, sweating, and vomiting. Decreased heart rate has also been reported. Most people tolerate it well when taken by mouth, but these effects are possible.
Does huperzine A actually work for memory and cognitive problems?
The evidence is strongest for Alzheimer disease, where it's rated possibly effective. For other uses — general memory, depression, athletic performance, and vascular dementia — the evidence isn't established enough to say. Talk with your doctor about whether it makes sense for your specific situation.
Why does huperzine A interact with so many medications?
Huperzine A works by blocking an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a brain chemical. Any medication that affects acetylcholine or depends on that enzyme can be impacted. That's why anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs are both of concern — the effects can add up or cancel each other out.
What's in the capsule besides huperzine A?
The capsule contains rice flour, gelatin, maltodextrin, and magnesium stearate — all standard inactive ingredients used to hold the supplement together and preserve it.

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

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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.

Huperzine A 50 mcg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Huperzine A 50 mcg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Huperzine A

Interacts with 219 drugs

Huperzine A is a purified compound from a Chinese clubmoss that acts like a mild cholinesterase inhibitor, similar in mechanism to some prescription Alzheimer's drugs. Some small studies sug...

Read the full Huperzine A monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Huperzine A 50 mcg'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 13 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.

Huperzine A 13 references
  1. Skolnick AA. Old Chinese herbal medicine used for fever yields possible new Alzheimer Disease therapy. JAMA 1997;277:776. DOI
  2. Ye JW, Cai JX, Wang LM, Tang XC. Improving effects of huperzine A on spatial working memory in aged monkeys and young adult monkeys with experimental cognitive impairment. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1999;288:814-9.. DOI
  3. Wang T, Tang XC. Reversal of scopolamine-induced deficits in radial maze performance by (-)-huperzine A: comparison with E2020 and tacrine. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;349:137-42. PubMed
  4. Xu SS, Gao ZX, Weng Z, et al. Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and behavior in Alzheimer's disease. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 1995;16:391-5.
  5. Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY, et al. [Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders]. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1991;12:250-2.
  6. Xu SS, Cai ZY, Qu ZW, et al. Huperzine-A in capsules and tablets for treating patients with Alzheimer disease. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 1999;20:486-90.
  7. Felgenhauer N, Zilker T, Worek F, Eyer P. Intoxication with huperzine A, a potent anticholinesterase found in the fir club moss. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2000;38:803-8.. PubMed
  8. Zhang, Z., Wang, X., Chen, Q., Shu, L., Wang, J., and Shan, G. [Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 7-25-2002;82
  9. Cheng, D. H., Ren, H., and Tang, X. C. Huperzine A, a novel promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Neuroreport 12-20-1996;8(1):97-101. PubMed
  10. Wang BS, Wang H, Wei ZH, Song YY, Zhang L, Chen HZ. Efficacy and safety of natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: an updated meta-analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2009;116(4):457-65. PubMed
  11. Xu ZQ, Liang XM, Juan-Wu, Zhang YF, Zhu CX, Jiang XJ. Treatment with Huperzine A improves cognition in vascular dementia patients. Cell Biochem Biophys 2012;62(1):55-8. PubMed
  12. Yang G, Wang Y, Tian J, Liu JP. Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS One 2013;8(9):e74916. PubMed
  13. Xing SH, Zhu CX, Zhang R, An L. Huperzine a in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: a meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:363985. PubMed

See these in context on the Huperzine A 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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