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Dietary supplement

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutricost

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg label
See full label image
Capsule 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 Pruriens 800 mg 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 Pruriens 800 mg is a dietary supplement by Nutricost 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. 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 Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost

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.

This product contains a single active ingredient: Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as cowhage, at 800 mg per capsule. Cowhage is a plant extract that contains levodopa, a compound your body converts into dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain.

The capsule itself is made from vegetable material, and the formula includes rice flour 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 we hold on Mucuna pruriens does not establish reliable effectiveness for any of the conditions it is marketed for — anxiety, erythema (skin redness), hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin hormone), muscle pain, Parkinson disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. All six conditions are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate in our data.

If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to understand 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.

Mucuna pruriens is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though adverse effects have been reported. The most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, mucosal irritation, dry mouth, and headaches.

In clinical research using higher doses (22.5 to 67.5 grams per day split across multiple doses), some participants experienced nausea, abdominal bloating, vomiting, and insomnia — insomnia was reported in roughly 3% of those studied. Because this product contains levodopa, an active drug-like compound, it requires careful use under professional guidance.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy due to insufficient safety information combined with its dopamine effects. While breastfeeding, levodopa can lower prolactin levels and may reduce milk supply, so avoid it then.

For both situations, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.

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, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on any blood pressure medication (especially methyldopa), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), levodopa for Parkinson disease, blood sugar medications, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, or if you have an upcoming surgery using certain anesthetics. The levodopa in this product has Major-severity risks with blood pressure and MAOI medications, and several Moderate-risk interactions with other common drugs.

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 Pruriens 800 mg is a single-ingredient supplement with a substantial medication interaction profile — particularly serious interactions with blood pressure medications and MAOIs, and several Moderate-risk concerns with diabetes, antipsychotic, and antidepressant drugs. The evidence does not yet establish whether it works for any of its marketed uses.

If you take any prescription medication or have heart, blood pressure, or diabetes concerns, check your exact drug list with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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 Jun 16, 2022.

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 800 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutricost
Barcode (UPC) 857077008749
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 270609
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 Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
857077008749
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna pruriens800 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Capsules, Rice Flour

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

Recommended Use: As a dietary supplement take 1-2 capsules daily with food. Or as directed by your physician.

Precautions

Warning: This product is only intended to be consumed by healthy individuals 18 years of age or older.

Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing.

Do not exceed recommended use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Quality Guaranteed Nutricost Made in the USA

Formulation

Non-GMO Gluten-Free

Formula

Mucuna pruriens 800 mg per serving

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

See for yourself

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost label

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

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg 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 Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost

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 container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Mucuna pruriens

Interacts with
193 drugs
800 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 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Capsules, Rice Flour. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mucuna Pruriens 800 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

Mucuna pruriens 193

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg interact with 193 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Mucuna pruriens

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mucuna Pruriens 800 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 pruriens8 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 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg, from the product label.

Nutricost

See all Nutricost products
Name
Nutricost
Street Address
7 S 1550 W #200
City
Lindon
State
UT
ZipCode
84042
Phone Number
(866) 438-3694
Web Address
www.nutricost.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost: Common Questions

Does Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg by Nutricost interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mucuna Pruriens 800 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 800 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.
Is it safe to take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against use during pregnancy because there isn't enough information about how it might affect a developing baby, combined with its dopamine effects. While breastfeeding, the levodopa in this product can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so you should avoid it then. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation for personalized advice.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, stomach irritation, dry mouth, and headaches. In higher-dose research studies, some people reported nausea, belly bloating, vomiting, and trouble sleeping — insomnia appeared in roughly 3% of those tested. Adverse effects seem rare overall, but a complete safety evaluation hasn't been done.
Does this supplement actually work for Parkinson disease or anxiety?
Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether Mucuna pruriens is effective for Parkinson disease, anxiety, or any of the other conditions marketed for it. If you're considering it for a specific condition, check with your doctor about what the research actually supports and what other options might be available.
What is levodopa and why does it matter?
Levodopa is an active drug-like compound in this plant that your body converts into dopamine, a brain chemical. Because it acts like a medication, this supplement can interact with many real drugs — especially blood pressure medications, psychiatric drugs, and diabetes medications — so it needs to be used carefully and only under professional guidance.
Can I take this if I'm already on levodopa for Parkinson disease?
No — using them together increases the risk of levodopa-related side effects. Talk with your doctor before adding this product if you're already taking levodopa as a prescription medication.
What's in the capsule besides the active ingredient?
The capsule is made from vegetable material, and the formula includes rice flour as a filler. Those are the only inactive ingredients listed.

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.

Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Mucuna Pruriens 800 mg’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 Pruriens 800 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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