Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Superior Herbs

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Superior Herbs 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.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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: Mucuna pruriens seed extract, which supplies levodopa, a compound your body can convert to dopamine. The extract comes in a capsule with inactive ingredients (rice flour, gelatin, calcium laurate, and silica) that serve as fillers and binders.

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: Parkinson disease symptom support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Parkinson disease, Movement disorder, Dopamine support, Motor function.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cowhage is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Parkinson disease (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold does not establish how well this product works. It's been studied for anxiety, skin redness (erythema), high prolactin levels (a hormone), muscle pain, Parkinson disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, but in each case the reliable evidence is too limited to rate its effectiveness.

If you're considering it for a specific purpose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current research actually supports.

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 this orally appear to be uncommon, though a complete safety review hasn't been done. The most reported side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach irritation; some people taking higher doses (in clinical studies) reported nausea, belly bloating, vomiting, dry mouth, headaches, and insomnia (about 3% of study participants).

Because this product contains levodopa — an active drug-like compound — it should be used carefully with professional guidance. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy.

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

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) — the risk of dangerously high blood pressure is Major. Also clear it if you take methyldopa, blood pressure drugs like guanethidine, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, antidiabetes medications, or if you'll be having surgery with certain anesthetics (Moderate risks).

If you take levodopa supplements, do not combine them without professional guidance (Major risk).

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product contains levodopa, a potent compound that demands careful use. If you take a blood pressure medication, antidiabetic, antipsychotic, antidepressant (especially older tricyclic types), an MAOI, or guanethidine, or if you're having surgery, you need to talk with your own doctor or pharmacist before taking it — the interactions are serious.

It's not recommended in pregnancy or while 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 Feb 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 Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Superior Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 087614141190
Net contents 200 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 184678
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs, 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
087614141190
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna pruriens seed extract350 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Calcium Laurate, 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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Standardized Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Do not use this product if you are taking an MAO inhibitor. Consult your physician before use if you have hypertension, cardiac or pulmonary disease or if you are taking products containing L-dopa.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening with water.

General Statements

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

General

SWH119 Rev 2 03 08 18

See for yourself

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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.

Mucuna pruriens seed extract

Interacts with
193 drugs
350 mg per serving

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, Gelatin, Calcium Laurate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Superior Herbs

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

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs: Common Questions

Does Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg 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 Pruriens 350 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.
What is Mucuna pruriens, and what does it do?
Mucuna pruriens is a plant seed extract that contains levodopa, a compound your body converts to dopamine. It's been studied for conditions like Parkinson disease, anxiety, and muscle pain, but the evidence we hold on how well it actually works is too limited to rate.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
No — the safety data advises against it during pregnancy. There isn't enough safety information, and the dopamine effects raise concerns. Talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
No — levodopa can lower prolactin (a hormone needed for milk) and reduce milk supply. Avoid it while breastfeeding.
What side effects might I experience?
Adverse effects appear rare overall, but some people report diarrhea, flatulence, stomach irritation, and dry mouth. Higher doses in studies have caused nausea, belly bloating, vomiting, headaches, and insomnia (about 3% of participants). A complete safety review hasn't been done.
Is this safe to use with my medications?
That depends entirely on what you take. This product contains levodopa, which interacts seriously with blood pressure drugs, antidiabetes medications, antipsychotics, antidepressants, MAOIs, and anesthetics. Run your medications through the checker on this page and talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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

Not sure if Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Mucuna Pruriens 350 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Mucuna Pruriens 350 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

Mucuna Pruriens 350 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 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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