No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Maca 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

Capsule Category: Botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Maca 500 mg is a dietary supplement by NOW with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for low libido and sexual function, energy and stamina, menopause symptoms.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maca 500 mg by NOW

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: maca root, 500 mg per capsule. Maca is a plant used in traditional medicine and foods.

The capsule itself is made from hypromellose (a plant-based capsule material) and stearic acid (a binder).

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: support sexual well-being and energy.
  • We looked for evidence on: Sexual desire, Fatigue, Athletic performance, Age-related testosterone deficiency, Male infertility, Postmenopausal conditions — 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 Athletic performance, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fatigue, Postmenopausal conditions, and more.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that maca is effective for any of the conditions it's marketed for—including amenorrhea (missed periods), chronic anemia, depression-related sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, or osteoporosis. All of those carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the research to prove it isn't solid enough yet.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Maca

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.

Maca is generally well tolerated when eaten as a food, but long-term safety in supplement amounts hasn't been studied. Fresh, uncooked maca can cause stomach pain in some people.

The safety data advises against using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable information to know it's safe in those situations.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Maca

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for maca.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Maca might appeal to you if you're exploring traditional remedies, but the evidence for what it actually does isn't established in our data. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have concerns about long-term supplement use, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting.

Since it's not documented to interact with medications, it's worth checking your specific drugs anyway—just to be sure.

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 20, 2024.

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 Maca 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739047212
Net contents 100 Veg Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 313571
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Maca 500 mg by NOW, 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 Veg Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veg Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
733739047212
IngredientAmount% DV
Maca500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid

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

Suggested Usage: Take 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily.

Formula

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is grown at high elevations in the Andes region of Central Peru. It has been traditionally used for centuries as a food source and as a general energy tonic. Modern scientific research suggests that maca may help to support a healthy reproductive life for both men and women. Clinical data indicate that maca does not exert a direct effect on endocrine function.

For Men and Women

Triangle K (Kosher)

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only.

Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Formulation

Reproductive health May support sexual well-being

Non-GMO

Vegetarian/Vegan

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients.

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Seals/Symbols

Triangle K (Kosher)

GMP Quality Assured

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Bontanicals/Herbs Family owned since 1968.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening.

See for yourself

Maca 500 mg by NOW label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Maca 500 mg by NOW

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

Serving size1 Veg Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Maca

No known
interactions
500 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 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Maca 500 mg by NOW Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Maca 500 mg. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maca 500 mg, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maca 500 mg by NOW: Common Questions

Does Maca 500 mg by NOW interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Maca 500 mg. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Maca 500 mg 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.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant?
The safety data advises against it—there isn't enough reliable information to know it's safe during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for you.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking maca?
There isn't enough reliable information on safety while breastfeeding. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before using this supplement if you're nursing.
Can maca cause stomach problems?
Fresh, uncooked maca may cause stomach pain in some people. This product is processed, so that risk is lower—but it's worth noting if you have a sensitive stomach.
Does maca actually work for sexual dysfunction or low energy?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish that it's effective for those uses. The research just isn't solid enough yet to say either way.

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

Not sure if Maca 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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.

Maca 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maca 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Maca 500 mg'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 1 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 →

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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