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 Swanson

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

Maca 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson 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 Swanson

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 extract, a concentrated form of maca, a plant used traditionally in South American cuisine and folk medicine. The capsule itself is made with gelatin, magnesium stearate (a flow agent), and silica — all standard inactive ingredients that help hold the supplement together and keep it flowing smoothly through the manufacturing line.

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: supports sexual health and hormonal balance.
  • We looked for evidence on: Sexual desire, Postmenopausal conditions, Male infertility, Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Erectile dysfunction, Hormonal balance.
  • 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 Postmenopausal conditions, Sexual desire, Male infertility.

The evidence for maca doesn't give us a clear answer yet. We hold data on several uses — amenorrhea (missed periods), anemia, antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, and osteoporosis — but for all of them the evidence is currently insufficient to rate whether it really works.

That doesn't mean it doesn't; it means we don't have enough reliable research to say either way.

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 doses hasn't been studied thoroughly. One caution: eating fresh, uncooked maca may cause stomach pain.

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data to recommend it — the data advises against it. Breastfeeding safety also isn't well established, so you'd want to avoid it then too.

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. That said, absence of documented interactions isn't a guarantee none exist — if you're on medications, a quick conversation with your pharmacist is always smart.

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 interested in traditional herbal options, but know that the evidence for whether it works isn't solid yet. Pregnant or breastfeeding?

This one's best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you're on any medications or have a condition you're hoping it might help.

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 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 Maca 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614080116
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2019
DSLD ID 188759
Product type Botanical
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 Maca 500 mg by Swanson, 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
087614080116
IngredientAmount% DV
Maca root extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

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

Supports sexual health for men and women Boosts antioxidant activity Supports hormonal health Science-Backed Quality Since 1969

Sexual Health

Made in Canada

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule per day with water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or if you have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

General

SWP011 Rev 0 03 28 18

See for yourself

Maca 500 mg by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Maca 500 mg by Swanson

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.

Maca root extract

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 root extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Maca 500 mg by Swanson 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.

Swanson

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

Maca 500 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Maca 500 mg by Swanson 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.
Is maca safe to take while pregnant?
No — there isn't enough safety data in supplement amounts, so the data advises against it during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to be.
Can I take maca while breastfeeding?
The data advises against it. There isn't enough reliable information on safety while breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
Does maca actually work for sexual dysfunction or low energy?
The evidence isn't clear yet. We have data on antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and athletic performance, but both show insufficient evidence to rate whether maca really helps. More research is needed.
What side effects might I notice?
Maca is generally well tolerated. One specific caution: if you eat fresh, uncooked maca, it may cause stomach pain. The long-term safety of the supplement form hasn't been studied thoroughly.
Why is maca called a root extract if the bottle says 500 mg?
The 500 mg refers to the weight of the maca root extract — a concentrated form of the plant — inside each capsule. It's more potent than just dried maca powder.

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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