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Dietary supplement

Mucuna Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by CHK Nutrition

Mucuna label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Mucuna 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: Major

Mucuna is a dietary supplement by CHK Nutrition with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for parkinson's disease symptoms, male fertility and libido, mood and stress support.Based on those ingredients, 193 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Mucuna pruriens (seed) 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 Mucuna by CHK Nutrition

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Mucuna by CHK Nutrition — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mucuna by CHK Nutrition

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 27, 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: mucuna pruriens (seed) extract, a plant extract rich in levodopa, a compound your body can convert into dopamine. The inactive ingredients are rice flour, vegetable capsule, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — the fillers and capsule material that hold it together.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Cowhage product and its label doesn't state a use — see Cowhage's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for mucuna pruriens is not yet established for the uses listed in our data — anxiety, skin redness (erythema), high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), muscle pain, Parkinson disease, and rheumatoid arthritis all carry ratings of insufficient reliable evidence. That doesn't mean it doesn't work, only that the clinical studies we have aren't solid enough to say one way or the other.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

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.

Orally, adverse effects to this supplement seem rare, though a complete safety review hasn't been done. The most common reported side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and mouth irritation; some people also report dry mouth, headaches, or insomnia (about 3% in one clinical trial at higher doses).

Because it contains levodopa — an active drug-like compound — it should be used carefully and with professional guidance. During pregnancy, there's not enough safety data, and because of its dopamine effects, it's best avoided.

While breastfeeding, L-dopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so avoid it then too.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Cowhage.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 193 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 taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression — this is a Major risk. Also flag methyldopa, any levodopa-based Parkinson's medication, antidiabetes drugs, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, guanethidine, or if you're about to have surgery with anesthesia.

No interactions are documented for any other medications we have data on.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a supplement for someone without major medication interactions who wants to explore mucuna for its dopamine-related effects — but the evidence for its effectiveness isn't solid yet. If you take any blood pressure medication, antidepressant, antipsychotic, diabetes drug, or are about to have surgery, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Same goes if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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 Aug 23, 2021.

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 Mucuna, straight from the product label.

Brand CHK Nutrition
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2021
DSLD ID 252894
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Mucuna by CHK Nutrition, 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)
Servings per container
120
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract300 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Vegetable Capsule, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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: Take as directed by your health care practitioner. Use only under medical supervision.

Use of CysReplete is recommended with this product to prevent sulfur amino acid depletion.

Precautions

If you are pregnant or nursing consult your health care practitioner before use.

Keep out of reach of children

Brand IP Statement(s)

US Patents 6660777, 6384088, 6403657, 6548551, 6759437, 72688161, 7547723, with US and International PCT Patents Pending.

General Statements

This product is intended for resale.

Storage

Keep away from direct sunlight

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Formula

40%

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Does not contain wheat, soy, sucrose, salt, starch, yeast, artificial flavors, artificial colorings, or other known allergens.

This product is manufactured in a cGMP certified facility.

GF Gluten-free

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

See for yourself

Mucuna by CHK Nutrition label

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

Mucuna 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 Mucuna by CHK Nutrition

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract

Interacts with
193 drugs
300 mg per serving Form: L-Dopa

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied...

Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Vegetable Capsule, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Mucuna by CHK Nutrition Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mucuna?

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
193Drugs
17 Major 176 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract 193

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Mucuna interact with 193 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Mucuna interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mucuna 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.

Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract8 drug types · 193 drugs

Levodopa

Concomitant use can increase the risk of levodopa-related adverse effects.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Some cowhage products have been standardized to contain 75-400 mg of levodopa per dose.

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and methyldopa might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with methyldopa might cause additive hypotension. In addition, methyldopa may inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa and increase levodopa levels in the central nervous system; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with non-selective MAOIs might cause hypertensive crisis. However, this interaction has not been reported with MAO-B selective inhibitors such as selegiline.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anesthesia

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and anesthesia might increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia has led to arrhythmias. Other anesthetics have not been implicated. Use other anesthetics in patients taking cowhage or tell patients to stop taking cowhage at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that cowhage might have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antipsychotic Drugs

Theoretically, use of cowhage might decrease the clinical effects of antipsychotic drugs.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa might counteract the antidopaminergic effects of antipsychotic medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Guanethidine (Ismelin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and guanethidine might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with guanethidine might cause additive hypotension; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Tcas)

Theoretically, use of TCAs might reduce the levels and clinical effects of cowhage.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of TCAs might reduce the absorption of levodopa. Some case reports describe patients that developed hypertension and dyskinesia when taking both levodopa and TCAs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Mucuna pruriens (seed) extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

CHK Nutrition

See all CHK Nutrition products
Name
CHK Nutrition
Street Address
3930 E Calvary Rd
City
Duluth
State
MN
ZipCode
55803
Phone Number
1-877-538-8388
Web Address
www.CHKnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mucuna by CHK Nutrition: Common Questions

Does Mucuna by CHK Nutrition interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mucuna has a known interaction with 193 medications, including 17 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Mucuna 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 this safe to take if I'm pregnant?
The safety data isn't there yet, and because of its dopamine effects, it's best avoided during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for your situation.
What is levodopa, and why does this product contain it?
Levodopa (or L-dopa) is a natural compound in the mucuna plant that your body converts into dopamine, a brain chemical. That's why the product is used — but it also means it can interact with dopamine-related medications.
Can I breastfeed while taking this?
No — L-dopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so you should avoid it while breastfeeding.
What are the common side effects?
Most people tolerate it well, but some report diarrhea, flatulence, mouth irritation, dry mouth, headaches, or insomnia — especially at higher doses.
Does this actually work for Parkinson disease or anxiety?
The evidence isn't solid enough yet to say. All the conditions listed — Parkinson disease, anxiety, muscle pain, and others — have insufficient reliable evidence, so we can't confirm it works for them.

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

Not sure if Mucuna is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.

Mucuna label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Mucuna’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Cowhage

Interacts with 193 drugs

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied for Parkinson's disease symptoms and ma...

Read the full Cowhage monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Mucuna'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 12 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.

Cowhage 12 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Anon. Epidemiological notes and reports: Mucuna pruriens-associated pruritus--New Jersey. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1985;34:732-3.
  4. HP-200 in Parkinson's Disease study group. An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease: Results of a multicenter clinical trial. J Alt Comp Med 1995;1:249-55. DOI
  5. Infante ME, Perez AM, Simao MR, et al. Outbreak of acute toxic psychosis attributed to Mucuna pruriens. Lancet 1990;336:1129. PubMed
  6. Vaidya AB, Rajagopalan TG, Mankodi NA, et al. Treatment of Parkinson's disease with the cowhage plant-Mucuna pruriens Bak. Neurol India 1978;26:171-6.
  7. Vadivel V, Janardhanan K. Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of velvet bean: an under-utilized food legume in south India. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2000;51:279-87. PubMed
  8. Akhtar MS, Qureshi AQ, Iqbal J. Antidiabetic evaluation of Mucuna pruriens, Linn seeds. J Pak Med Assoc 1990;40:147-50.
  9. Prakash, D., Niranjan, A., and Tewari, S. K. Some nutritional properties of the seeds of three Mucuna species. Int.J.Food Sci.Nutr. 2001;52(1):79-82.
  10. Vadivel, V. and Janardhanan, K. Nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of seven South Indian wild legumes. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr 2005;60(2):69-75. PubMed
  11. Creapure (Creatine Monohydrate). Toxicological Datasheet. Degussa BioActives. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/DOCKETS/.../95s-0316-rpt0154-54-Ref-50-vol112.pdf.
  12. Pulikkalpura H, Kurup R, Mathew PJ, Baby S. Levodopa in Mucuna pruriens and its degradation. Sci Rep 2015;5:11078. PubMed

See these in context on the Cowhage 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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