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Dietary supplement

Mucuna Powder Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by CHK Nutrition

Mucuna Powder label
See full label image
Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Mucuna Powder 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 Powder 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 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 Powder by CHK Nutrition

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mucuna Powder 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 20, 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.

Mucuna Powder contains one active ingredient: mucuna pruriens extract, a plant-derived substance that includes levodopa, a compound related to the neurotransmitter dopamine. The powder also contains maltodextrin as an inactive ingredient.

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 in several conditions—including anxiety, skin redness (erythema), high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), muscle pain (myalgia), Parkinson's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis—is currently insufficient to rate. We hold no data establishing its effectiveness for these uses in our monograph.

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.

Adverse effects from taking mucuna powder by mouth appear rare overall, though a thorough safety study hasn't been done. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and mouth irritation.

In clinical research with higher doses, some people reported nausea, belly bloating, vomiting, headaches, and difficulty sleeping (about 3% of participants). Because mucuna contains L-dopa, it's an active drug-like compound and needs careful use under professional guidance.

The safety data advises against using this powder during pregnancy due to insufficient safety information and its dopamine effects. L-dopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so avoid it while breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for your situation.

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 starting Mucuna Powder, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), methyldopa, or levodopa—these carry major interaction risks. Also confirm you're not on tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, antidiabetes drugs, guanethidine, or certain anesthetics, which pose moderate risks.

If you're facing surgery soon, tell your anesthesiologist you're considering this product.

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.

Mucuna Powder is a single-ingredient product containing levodopa, which creates major interaction risks with several medication types—especially MAOIs, methyldopa, and levodopa itself—and moderate risks with diabetes drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and some anesthetics. Evidence for its effectiveness in common uses is not established in our data.

Before taking it, check your medications with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take any blood pressure or psychiatric medications.

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 Powder, straight from the product label.

Brand CHK Nutrition
Net contents 9.5 Ounce(s); 270 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2021
DSLD ID 252895
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
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 Powder 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:
600 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
600 mg
Servings per container
450
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna pruriens extract600 mg--

Other ingredients: Maltodextrin

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 provider. Use only under medical supervision.

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

Weighing provides the most accurate dosing measurement (due to settling). Settling occurs naturally with powders and may cause variations in the powder density. Consistent doses can be obtained by weighing with a scale rather than measuring with a teaspoon or tablespoon.

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.

This product is manufactured in a cGMP certified facility.

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.

Seals/Symbols

GF Certified Gluten-free

Formula

40%

*1/4 level teaspoon is approximately 600 mg (equivalent to 2 Mucuna 40% capsules) 1 level teaspoon is approximately 2.4 g (equivalent to 8 Mucuna 40% capsules)

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

Mucuna Powder by CHK Nutrition label

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

Mucuna Powder 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 Powder by CHK Nutrition

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

Serving size600 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container450 Amounts shown are per serving.

Mucuna pruriens extract

Interacts with
193 drugs
600 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 extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Mucuna Powder by CHK Nutrition Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mucuna Powder?

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 extract 193

Individual Drug Interactions

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

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mucuna Powder 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 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 extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Mucuna Powder, 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 Powder by CHK Nutrition: Common Questions

Does Mucuna Powder by CHK Nutrition interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mucuna Powder 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 Powder 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's in this powder?
It's mucuna pruriens extract—a plant ingredient that contains levodopa, a dopamine-related compound. It also has maltodextrin as a filler.
Does it actually work for Parkinson's disease or anxiety?
The evidence in our data isn't strong enough to say. We don't have reliable data supporting its use for Parkinson's disease, anxiety, muscle pain, high prolactin, skin redness, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against it during pregnancy because there's not enough information and the dopamine effects raise concerns. While breastfeeding, the L-dopa in mucuna can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so it should be avoided.
What side effects should I expect?
Most people tolerate it well, but diarrhea, flatulence, and mouth irritation are the most common complaints. At higher doses, some people reported nausea, belly bloating, vomiting, headaches, and sleep trouble—insomnia showed up in about 3% of people in one study.
Why does it interact with so many blood pressure and psychiatric medications?
The levodopa in mucuna pruriens affects dopamine and how your body manages blood pressure and neurotransmitter balance, so it can either amplify or weaken effects of drugs that work on those same systems.

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

Not sure if Mucuna Powder is safe with your meds?

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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 Powder label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Mucuna Powder’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 Powder'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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