Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Maitake Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Mushrooms

Maitake Extract label
See full label image
Liquid 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 Maitake Extract 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 Extract is a dietary supplement by Host Defense Mushrooms with 2 active ingredients. 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 fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract. 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 Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maitake Extract 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 Aug 20, 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 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This liquid contains two active maitake mushroom ingredients: fresh mycelium extract and dried fruitbody extract—both from Grifola frondosa. The product also contains inactive ingredients: water, alcohol, and myceliated brown rice (a growth substrate).

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: helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance.
  • 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 Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Obesity.

The evidence for maitake mushroom's effectiveness is insufficient for us to rate it in the conditions studied—hay fever, chemotherapy-induced anemia, laryngeal cancer, chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The data we hold doesn't establish that this product works for any of these uses.

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 used as food, though supplement safety hasn't been fully studied. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal—diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and rarely rash or itching.

In clinical trials, a small number of patients reported these effects; one withdrew due to diarrhea. The safety data advises against this concentrated supplement during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this if you take warfarin or other blood thinners (risk of increased bleeding), blood pressure medications (risk of blood pressure dropping too low), or diabetes drugs (risk of blood sugar dropping too low). All three interactions are Moderate severity.

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.

Maitake Extract may interest people exploring immune support, but the evidence we hold doesn't establish it works for its common uses. The bigger consideration: if you take blood thinners like warfarin, blood pressure medications, or diabetes drugs, you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this—the interaction risk is real and documented.

Talk it over with them before you start.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2017.

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 Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Host Defense Mushrooms
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2017
DSLD ID 74126
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten 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 Extract 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:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend1 mL--
fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract0 NP--
dried Maitake (Grifola frondosa) fruitbody extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Water, Alcohol, myceliated Brown Rice

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.
Formula

Made with U.S. grown, triple extracted organic mushroom mycelium

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions For Use: As a dietary Supplement, take 1 mL twice per day. Can be taken with food or without, on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare advisor.

Precautions

Consult your healthcare advisor regarding the use of this product during pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children.

General

NXGF2 REV A4

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.

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

USDA Organic

Producer Certified organic Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

General Statements

Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, as part of your diet

Formulation

Gluten free

Certified organic by the Washington State of Department of Agriculture.

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 Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms label

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

Maitake Extract 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 Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 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: Water, Alcohol, Myceliated Brown Rice. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maitake Extract?

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

fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract 260

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 2 ingredients in Maitake Extract interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Maitake Extract 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.

fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract3 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
fresh Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mycelium extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maitake Extract, 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 Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms: Common Questions

Does Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maitake Extract 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 Extract contains 2 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—the safety data advises against this concentrated supplement during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There isn't enough data to know it's safe in these situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Gastrointestinal effects, mainly diarrhea and stomach pain. A few trial participants also reported nausea, and one rare case of a mild allergic rash that cleared on its own. Most people tolerate it well.
Does this actually work for anything?
The evidence we have is insufficient to rate it as effective for hay fever, chemotherapy-related anemia, diarrhea, laryngeal cancer, or chronic fatigue. We don't have data establishing that it works for these uses.
What's the difference between the two maitake ingredients in here?
One is fresh mycelium extract and one is dried fruitbody extract—both from the same mushroom, Grifola frondosa. The fruitbody is the visible fruiting part; the mycelium is the underground root structure. They interact with medications the same way.
Is it okay to take this with my blood pressure medication?
Don't assume so. Maitake can lower blood pressure, so combining it with your blood pressure drug could drop it too much. Check with your doctor or pharmacist—they'll know your specific medication and can tell you if it's safe together.

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 Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maitake Extract’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 Extract'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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