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Dietary supplement

Maitake Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Mushrooms

Maitake label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Maitake 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

Maitake is a dietary supplement by Host Defense Mushrooms with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, blood sugar support in diabetes, high blood pressure.Based on those ingredients, 260 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Maitake. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms

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 Oct 1, 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 one active ingredient: maitake mushroom, a fungus used in traditional medicine and studied for immune support and metabolic effects. The capsule itself is made from pullulan, an inert plant-derived material.

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 — see Maitake Mushroom's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: immune response, cellular health, and blood sugar.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, HIV/AIDS, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), immune function — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Maitake Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Maitake Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for HIV/AIDS, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The data we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate maitake for the conditions studied—including hay fever (allergic rhinitis), anemia related to chemotherapy, laryngeal cancer, diarrhea related to chemotherapy, and chronic fatigue syndrome. That doesn't mean it's ineffective; it means the research so far hasn't been robust enough to draw firm conclusions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Maitake 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 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.

Maitake mushroom is generally well tolerated when eaten as food. The most common side effects in clinical trials were gastrointestinal—diarrhea and stomach discomfort (epigastric pain)—reported in a small number of trial participants.

One person reported a rash and itching after two doses, which cleared on its own. However, concentrated supplement safety hasn't been fully studied.

Because of insufficient safety data, the facts advise against concentrated maitake supplements during pregnancy and while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Maitake 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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Maitake Mushroom.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 260 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 starting this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin or other blood thinners (Moderate severity)—maitake can boost their effect and raise bleeding risk. Also flag any blood-pressure medications (Moderate severity) and diabetes medications (Moderate severity), because maitake may intensify their effects and lower your pressure or blood sugar too much.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Maitake might appeal to you if you're exploring mushroom supplements for immune or metabolic support, but the evidence for specific conditions isn't established yet. If you take blood thinners, blood-pressure drugs, or diabetes medications, you need to check with your own doctor or pharmacist before adding this—the interactions are real and potentially serious.

Same conversation if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering it during those times.

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 Jul 25, 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 Maitake, straight from the product label.

Brand Host Defense Mushrooms
Barcode (UPC) 633422031521
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 312398
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, 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 Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms, 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
633422031521
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories5 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates1 Gram(s)1%
Maitake1 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: Pullulan

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.
Formulation

Maitake supports an engaged and balanced immune response, cellular health, and healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.

Gluten free & vegan Non GMO

Gluten free & vegan

Supports healthy blood sugar already in the normal range

Certified Organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules once per day. Can be taken with food or on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: If you have a medical condition, are taking medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Formula

Maitake made with organic mushroom mycelium

Seals/Symbols

Certified Organic Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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

See for yourself

Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms label

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

Maitake 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 Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Maitake

Interacts with
260 drugs
1 Gram(s) per serving Form: Brown Rice, Fermented

Maitake is an edible mushroom long used as food and in traditional Japanese medicine, and it is being studied for possible immune, blood sugar, and bl...

Maitake monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maitake?

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
260Drugs
260 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Maitake 260

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Maitake interact with 260 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Maitake interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Maitake

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Maitake 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.

Maitake3 drug types · 260 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research shows that taking maitake mushroom polysaccharide (MMP) can lower blood glucose levels in patients with types 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research shows that maitake mushroom can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is limited evidence that maitake mushroom may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
In a case report, a patient previously stabilized on warfarin developed an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.1 after taking maitake mushroom (Grifron-Pro Maitake D-Fraction) 1 drop/kg daily in three divided doses for one week. The elevated INR resolved after holding warfarin for two days, then reducing the dose by 11%. It is thought that the beta-glucan constituent of maitake mushroom might cause warfarin dissociation from proteins, resulting in increased free warfarin levels and increased warfarin effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Maitake full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maitake, from the product label.

Host Defense Mushrooms

See all Host Defense Mushrooms products
Name
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Street Address
PO Box 7634
City
Olympia
State
WA
ZipCode
98507
Phone Number
877-504-6926
Web Address
Hostdefense.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms: Common Questions

Does Maitake by Host Defense Mushrooms interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maitake has a known interaction with 260 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Maitake 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.
What is maitake mushroom, and why is it in this supplement?
Maitake is a mushroom traditionally used in Asian medicine and studied for its polysaccharide compounds, which may support immune function and metabolic health. It's the sole active ingredient in this product.
Can I take this if I'm on warfarin or another blood thinner?
No—not without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. A documented case shows that maitake extract raised the blood-thinning effect of warfarin to a dangerously high level. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most common are stomach upset, diarrhea, and mild discomfort after eating. A small number of trial participants also reported nausea, and one person developed a rash and itching (though it went away without treatment).
Is maitake safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for concentrated maitake supplements in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it during these times—they can help you decide what's right for your situation.
Does maitake actually work for the conditions listed on the label?
The evidence we hold is insufficient to say one way or the other for conditions like hay fever, cancer-related side effects, or chronic fatigue. That means the research so far hasn't been strong enough to draw firm conclusions, not that it doesn't work.
Does this product have any inactive fillers?
Yes—the capsule is made from pullulan, a plant-derived ingredient that holds the maitake inside. It's not active and has no known role in the supplement's effects.

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.

Maitake label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maitake’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Maitake Mushroom

Interacts with 260 drugs

Maitake is an edible mushroom long used as food and in traditional Japanese medicine, and it is being studied for possible immune, blood sugar, and blood pressure effects. The human evidence...

Read the full Maitake Mushroom monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Maitake'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 8 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.

Maitake Mushroom 8 references
  1. Kabir Y, Kimura S. Dietary mushrooms reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1989;35:91-4. PubMed
  2. Kabir Y, Yamaguchi M, Kimura S. Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1987;33:341-6. PubMed
  3. Konno S, Tortorelis DG, Fullerton SA, et al. A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med 2001;18:1010. PubMed
  4. Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, et al. Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate. J Altern Compl
  5. Hanselin MR, Vande Griend JP, Linnebur SA. INR elevation with maitake extract in combination with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:223-4. PubMed
  6. Talpur, N. A., Echard, B. W., Fan, A. Y., Jaffari, O., Bagchi, D., and Preuss, H. G. Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of whole Maitake mushroom powder and its fractions in two rat strains. Mol.Cell Biochem. 2002;237(1-2):129-136. PubMed
  7. Deng, G., Lin, H., Seidman, A., Fornier, M., D'Andrea, G., Wesa, K., Yeung, S., Cunningham-Rundles, S., Vickers, A. J., and Cassileth, B. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: i
  8. Wesa KM, Cunningham-Rundles S, Klimek VM, et al. Maitake mushroom extract in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): a phase II study. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015;64(2):237-47. PubMed

See these in context on the Maitake Mushroom 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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