Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 4 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Immune System Formula Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Christopher's Original Formulas

Immune System Formula label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Immune System Formula 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

Immune System Formula is a dietary supplement by Christopher's Original Formulas with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, colds and flu, upper respiratory infections.Based on those ingredients, 1,256 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Eleuthero, Echinacea purpurea, organic Reishi Mushroom. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (800 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This formula contains five active ingredients: organic astragalus, organic eleuthero, Echinacea purpurea, organic Echinacea purpurea, and organic Reishi mushroom. They're held in a plant-derived capsule.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: immune system support and wellness.
  • We looked for evidence on: Common cold, Influenza, Bronchitis, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), HIV/AIDS, Upper respiratory infections — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Reishi Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Bronchitis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Reishi Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Influenza, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • Also on file: Astragalus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for HIV/AIDS.

The data we hold shows insufficient evidence to rate most of the conditions these ingredients address. Eleuthero is rated possibly effective for genital herpes.

Reishi mushroom is rated possibly ineffective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). For the other conditions listed—hay fever, asthma, chronic fatigue, ADHD, migraines, and many others—the evidence isn't established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Astragalus Eleuthero Echinacea Reishi Mushroom

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 4 of the 4 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 4.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 4 of 4.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Astragalus is generally well tolerated short-term, though human safety data is limited. Eleuthero and both Echinacea forms are also generally well tolerated for short-term use.

Common side effects with eleuthero include diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, nausea, and nervousness (especially at higher doses); echinacea may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, rash, or heartburn. Reishi is generally well tolerated but may cause dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, rash, or stomach upset.

Rare but serious reactions include severe allergies and echinacea-induced liver inflammation. The safety data advises against astragalus, eleuthero, echinacea, and reishi during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Astragalus Eleuthero Echinacea Reishi Mushroom

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?
  • 4 of the 4 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Reishi Mushroom, Astragalus, Echinacea, Eleuthero.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 1,257 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.

Check your medications if you take diabetes drugs, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, lithium, or drugs that need your liver to break down (especially those processed by the CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4 pathways). Also double-check if you take digoxin, warfarin, or midazolam.

These are the main Moderate and Minor interactions we found.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This blend is meant to support immune function using traditional herbs. If you take blood pressure, blood sugar, blood thinner, or heart medications—or lithium—talk to your pharmacist before starting.

Anyone with a ragweed allergy should be cautious with the echinacea. Pregnant or breastfeeding?

Skip it.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 25, 2019.

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 Immune System Formula, straight from the product label.

Brand Christopher's Original Formulas
Barcode (UPC) 084783891185
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2019
DSLD ID 200366
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas, 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
50
UPC/BARCODE
084783891185
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend800 mg--
organic Astragalus0 NP--
organic Eleuthero0 NP--
Echinacea purpurea0 NP--
organic Echinacea purpurea0 NP--
organic Reishi Mushroom0 NP--

Other ingredients: plant-derived Capsule

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

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules three times daily, or as directed by your health care professional.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

General Statements

Proudly Made In The U.S.A

400 mg each

Brand IP Statement(s)

2016 Wholistic Botanicals L.L.C. All Rights Reserved

John R. Christopher

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

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

See for yourself

Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas label

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

Immune System Formula 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 Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 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.

Other (inactive) ingredients: Plant-derived Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Immune System Formula?

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
1,256Drugs
1,188 Moderate 68 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

organic Eleuthero 1,140
Echinacea purpurea 816
organic Reishi Mushroom 375
organic Astragalus 208

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Immune System Formula interact with 1,256 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 5 ingredients in Immune System Formula interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic Eleuthero Echinacea purpurea organic Reishi Mushroom organic Astragalus

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Immune System Formula with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

organic Eleuthero10 drug types · 1,140 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, eleuthero may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research shows that a constituent of eleuthero, dihydroxybenzoic acid, appears to inhibit platelet aggregation. Concomitant use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, eleuthero might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that certain constituents of eleuthero have hypoglycemic activity in both healthy and diabetic animals. A small study in adults with type 2 diabetes also shows that taking eleuthero for 3 months can lower blood glucose levels. However, one very small study in healthy individuals shows that taking powdered eleuthero 3 grams, 40 minutes prior to a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test, significantly increases postprandial blood glucose levels when compared with placebo. These contradictory findings might be due to patient-specific variability and variability in active ingredient ratios.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero inhibit CYP1A2. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP2C9. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Eleuthero might increase serum digoxin levels and increase the risk of side effects.
In one case report, a 74-year-old male who was stabilized on digoxin presented with an elevated serum digoxin level after starting an eleuthero supplement, without symptoms of toxicity. After stopping the supplement, serum digoxin levels returned to normal. It is not clear whether this was due to a pharmacokinetic interaction or to interference with the digoxin assay. Although the product was found to be free of digoxin and digitoxin, it was not tested for other contaminants.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, eleuthero might interfere with immunosuppressive drugs because of its immunostimulant activity.
Animal and in vitro research shows that eleuthero extracts have immunomodulatory effects, including increasing cellular and humoral activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research suggests that eleuthero can inhibit the multi-drug transporter protein, P-glycoprotein. However, it is too soon to tell if this is clinically important. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP2D6. However, research in healthy human volunteers has found that taking eleuthero 485 mg twice daily for 14 days does not inhibit CYP2D6 drug metabolism.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP3A4. However, research in healthy human volunteers has found that taking eleuthero 485 mg twice daily for 14 days does not inhibit CYP3A4 drug metabolism.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, eleuthero might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by OATP.
In vitro research suggests that eleuthero inhibits OATP2B1, which might reduce the bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP2B1. Due to the weak inhibitory effect identified in this study, this interaction is not likely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
organic Eleuthero full monograph & interactions

Echinacea purpurea12 drug types · 816 drugs

Caffeine

Echinacea can increase plasma levels of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism.
Echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine by around 30%. This is likely due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) by echinacea.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Echinacea appears to inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes in humans. Additionally, echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate, by around 30%. Theoretically, echinacea might increase levels of other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. This may increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Several clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea for up to one month does not significantly affect the metabolism of various CYP3A4 substrates, including midazolam, docetaxel, etravirine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and darunavir-ritonavir. However, other clinical research shows that echinacea may increase the clearance of midazolam, suggesting that echinacea might induce CYP3A4. The discrepancy is thought to be due to differing effects of echinacea on intestinal versus hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea appears to induce hepatic CYP3A4 but inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. In some cases, these effects might cancel each other out, but in others, drug levels may be increased or decreased depending on the level of effect at hepatic and intestinal sites. The effect of echinacea on CYP3A4 activity may differ depending on the CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Etoposide (Vepesid)

Echinacea may increase levels of etoposide.
In one report, concomitant use of etoposide and echinacea was associated with more severe thrombocytopenia than the use of etoposide alone, suggesting inhibition of etoposide metabolism. Etoposide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrate. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but some studies have reported inhibition of the enzyme.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Darunavir (Prezista)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of darunavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Darunavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but administration of an E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg four times daily for 14 days did not affect darunavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics in 15 HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Dayquil Severe

Echinacea is reported to have varying effects on a number of Cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes in the liver, including CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, which play a role in acetaminophen and dextromethorphan metabolism (both contained in DayQuil Severe), respectively. Studies have reported both enzyme inhibition and induction, making it difficult to predict clinically significant drug interactions with reliability. Specific drug interaction studies reporting definitive results are rare, and potential drug interactions involving echinacea should likely be taken on a case-by-case basis. Based on what we know about how acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are metabolized, the risk of a clinically significant interaction between echinacea and DayQuil Severe is low.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence A
Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of docetaxel; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Docetaxel is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea whole plant extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Biopharma AG) 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in one clinical study.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Etravirine (Intelence)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of etravirine; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Etravirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of etravirine in HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of lopinavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Lopinavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea (Echinamide, Natural Factors Nutritional Products, Inc.) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy volunteers.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Midazolam (Versed)

Theoretically, echinacea may increase the metabolism of intravenous midazolam.
Echinacea induces hepatic CYP3A4 and might decrease plasma levels of midazolam by about 20%, reducing the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam. Echinacea also appears to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, which could theoretically increase the bioavailability of oral midazolam. This may cancel out the decrease in availability caused by induction of hepatic CYP3A4, such that overall plasma levels after oral administration of midazolam are not affected by echinacea.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Echinacea seems to increase the clearance of warfarin, although the effect may not be clinically significant.
Preliminary clinical research in healthy male volunteers suggests that taking echinacea increases the clearance of the active S-isomer of warfarin after a single dose of warfarin, but there was not a clinically significant effect on the INR.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Echinacea purpurea full monograph & interactions

organic Reishi Mushroom3 drug types · 375 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, high doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding.
A dose of 1.5 grams daily of reishi mushroom does not seem to decrease platelet aggregation, but a higher dose of 3 grams daily does.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, reishi mushroom might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that reishi mushroom decreases blood sugar. However, in patients with type 2 diabetes, taking reishi mushroom does not reduce fasting glucose levels, and its effects on glycated hemoglobin are inconsistent.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of reishi mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Reishi mushroom has shown hypotensive activity in animal research. Clinical evidence suggests that reishi mushroom reduces blood pressure in some, but not all, patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
organic Reishi Mushroom full monograph & interactions

organic Astragalus4 drug types · 208 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking astragalus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research in humans shows that astragalus might have hypoglycemic effects. Theoretically, taking astragalus, especially in combination with other hypoglycemic agents, might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Cyclophosphamide

Theoretically, astragalus might interfere with cyclophosphamide therapy.
Evidence regarding the effect of astragalus on immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide is conflicting. Some animal research suggests that astragalus reverses cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. However, other animal research shows no effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, astragalus might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Astragalus seems to stimulate immune function. Theoretically, taking astragalus might decrease the effects of immunosuppressive therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, astragalus might increase levels and adverse effects of lithium.
Animal research suggests that astragalus has diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to this diuretic effect, astragalus might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
organic Astragalus full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Immune System Formula, from the product label.

Christopher's Original Formulas

See all Christopher's Original Formulas products
Name
Wholistic Botanicals L.L.C.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-453-1406
Web Address
www.drchristopher.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas: Common Questions

Does Immune System Formula by Christopher's Original Formulas interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Immune System Formula has a known interaction with 1,256 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Immune System Formula contains 5 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 this safe to take if I'm pregnant or nursing?
No. The data advises against all four of the active ingredients—astragalus, eleuthero, echinacea, and reishi—during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable safety information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.
What are the most common side effects?
With eleuthero: diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, or nausea. With echinacea: stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, or rash. With reishi: dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, or rash. Astragalus is generally well tolerated. Most people don't experience side effects, but tell us if anything bothers you.
Will this actually help my immune system?
The evidence isn't clear in our data for most immune-related conditions. Eleuthero shows some promise for genital herpes, but for hay fever, asthma, chronic fatigue, and other common uses, we don't have enough established evidence to say whether it works.
How long can I take this safely?
The data supports short-term use, but long-term safety isn't well studied for any of these ingredients. If you plan to take it for more than a few weeks or months, check with your pharmacist first.
Can I take this with caffeine or coffee?
The echinacea in this formula may increase your caffeine levels by about 30%, which could make caffeine's effects stronger. If you're sensitive to caffeine or jittery, you might want to cut back or talk to your pharmacist.
I'm allergic to ragweed. Is this safe for me?
Echinacea is in the ragweed family, and people with ragweed allergies are at higher risk for allergic reactions to echinacea, including severe ones. Skip this product and talk to your pharmacist about other options.

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.

Immune System Formula label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Immune System Formula’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Astragalus

Interacts with 208 drugs

Astragalus is a root used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly to support the immune system and help the body cope with stress. While early studies are interesting, strong h...

Read the full Astragalus monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Eleuthero

Interacts with 1,140 drugs

Eleuthero is an herb traditionally used as an 'adaptogen' to fight fatigue, boost energy, and help the body handle stress. The scientific evidence behind these uses is limited and mixed, so...

Read the full Eleuthero monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Echinacea

Interacts with 816 drugs

Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at best. It is generally well tolerated for sh...

Read the full Echinacea monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Reishi Mushroom

Interacts with 375 drugs

Reishi is a traditional Asian mushroom widely used to support the immune system and overall wellness. Human evidence for most of its claimed benefits is limited or low-quality, so it should...

Read the full Reishi Mushroom monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Immune System Formula'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 105 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.

Astragalus 13 references
  1. Upton R, ed. Astragalus Root: Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 1999:1-25.
  2. Khoo KS, Ang PT. Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Singapore Med J 1995;36:387-90.
  3. Chu DT, Wong WL, Mavligit GM. Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs. II. Reversal of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression by administration of fractionated Astragalus membranaceus in vivo. J Clin Lab Immunol 1988;25:125-9.
  4. Sun Y, Hersh EM, Lee SL, et al. Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses. J Biol Response Mod 1983;2:227-37..
  5. Ma J, Peng A, Lin S. Mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of astragalus membranaceus on sodium and water retention in experimental heart failure. Chin Med J (Engl) 1998;111:17-23.
  6. Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M, et al. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res 2010;24:175-81.
  7. Zhang, J. G., Yang, N., He, H., Wei, G. H., Gao, D. S., Wang, X. L., Wang, X. Z., and Song, G. Y. [Effect of Astragalus injection on plasma levels of apoptosis-related factors in aged patients with chronic heart failure.]. Chin J Integr.Med 2005;11(3):18 PubMed
  8. Chen, H. W., Lin, I. H., Chen, Y. J., Chang, K. H., Wu, M. H., Su, W. H., Huang, G. C., and Lai, Y. L. A novel infusible botanically-derived drug, PG2, for cancer-related fatigue: a phase II double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Clin Invest PubMed
  9. Tian H, Lu J, He H, et al.The effect of Astragalus as an adjuvant treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A (preliminary) meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;191:206-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.062. PubMed
  10. Hong KF, Liu PY, Zhang W, Gui DK, Xu YH. The Efficacy and Safety of Astragalus as an Adjuvant Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Integr Complement Med 2023. PubMed
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Eleuthero 24 references
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Echinacea 51 references
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Reishi Mushroom 17 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
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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.

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