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Dietary supplement

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutritional Concepts

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg 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 Optimal Forskohlii 250 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

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg is a dietary supplement by Nutritional Concepts with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for weight management, asthma and breathing, high blood pressure.Based on those ingredients, 915 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Forskohlii. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts

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 Jul 11, 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.

Optimal Forskohlii is a single-ingredient supplement: forskohlii extract at 250 mg per capsule. Forskohlii (the plant Coleus) contains a compound called forskolin, which is the active component credited with the supplement's intended effects.

The capsule itself contains three inactive ingredients: rice powder, magnesium stearate, and gelatin.

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 Coleus product and its label doesn't state a use — see Coleus'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 does not establish that forskohlii is effective for any of the uses listed — angina, asthma, cancer, congestive heart failure (a weakened heart muscle that can't pump well), eczema (atopic dermatitis), or dry eye. All of these carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence to rate, meaning the research to date hasn't been strong or complete enough to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Coleus

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.

Forskohlii is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though it can cause gastrointestinal side effects. The most common are diarrhea (which may be dose-related), constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

In one clinical trial, about 1 in 15 people reported increased bowel movements or loose stools; retrospective reports suggest about 10% of users experience gastrointestinal upset, with most of those cases being diarrhea. Forskohlii may lower blood pressure and is not well studied for long-term use, so caution and professional guidance are warranted.

Safety data is insufficient during pregnancy — the data advises against use during pregnancy. The data also advises against use while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Coleus

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 — Coleus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 916 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 pharmacist if you take nitrates, calcium channel blockers, blood pressure medications, blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), or warfarin. These carry the highest-severity documented interactions with forskohlii.

Also flag any medications that rely on CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 pathways for processing, since forskohlii may affect how your liver clears them.

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.

Consider this supplement only if you're interested in forskohlii for one of its proposed uses and are willing to accept that we don't yet have solid evidence it works. Do not use it if you take nitrates, calcium channel blockers, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, or warfarin — the interactions are serious.

Talk to your pharmacist before starting, especially if you have heart or blood pressure concerns or take any prescription 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 Apr 23, 2020.

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 Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutritional Concepts
Barcode (UPC) 095234940604
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 23, 2020
DSLD ID 217261
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts, 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
30
UPC/BARCODE
095234940604
IngredientAmount% DV
Forskohlii250 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice powder, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin

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

Optimal Forskohlii is a proprietary blend of Coleus Foskohlii whole root powder & Root Extract (standardized to 10% forskohlin).

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg per serving

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one capsule twice daily (morning and evening) with food or directed by a health care professional.

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

Precautions

Caution: Keep out of reach of children.

Do not exceed recommended dose.

Consult your health-care practitioner before using this product or if you are taking anti-coagulant, anti-platelet medications, have a bleeding disorder or kidney disease. Avoid use during pregnancy.

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

See for yourself

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts label

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

Optimal Forskohlii 250 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 Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts

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 container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Forskohlii

Interacts with
915 drugs
250 mg per serving

Coleus is a plant from the mint family whose root contains a compound called forskolin, often marketed for weight loss, asthma, and heart health. Whil...

Forskohlii monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice powder, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Optimal Forskohlii 250 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
915Drugs
29 Major 886 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Forskohlii 915

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg interact with 915 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Forskohlii

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Optimal Forskohlii 250 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.

Forskohlii7 drug types · 915 drugs

Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, combining coleus with calcium channel blockers might increase the coronary vasodilatory effects.
Forskolin, a constituent of coleus, and calcium channel blockers both cause coronary vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Nitrates

Theoretically, combining coleus with nitrates might increase the coronary vasodilatory effects.
Forskolin, a constituent of coleus, and nitrates both cause coronary vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of coleus and anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
In vitro and animal research shows that forskolin, a constituent of coleus, can inhibit platelet aggregation and adhesion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining coleus with antihypertensive drugs might cause additive blood pressure lowering effects and increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research shows that forskolin, a constituent of coleus, may lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, taking coleus may affect drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 and increase the risk of adverse effects or reduce the effectiveness.
Research on the effect of coleus on CYP2C9 is conflicting. Some animal research shows that coleus extract can induce CYP2C9, while in vitro research shows that coleus can inhibit CYP2C9. Until more is known, advise patients that taking coleus might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, taking coleus might decrease serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that coleus can activate the nuclear receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), which results in increased expression of CYP3A4. Although the clinical significance of this is not known, use caution when considering concomitant use of coleus and other drugs affected by these enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, taking coleus may affect the metabolism of warfarin and increase the risk of adverse effects or reduce the effectiveness.
Some animal research shows that coleus extract can induce cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9), an enzyme that metabolizes warfarin. However, other in vitro research shows that coleus can inhibit CYP2C9. Theoretically, taking coleus with drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 might affect drug levels and the risk of adverse effects. Until more is known, advise patients that taking coleus might increase or decrease levels of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Forskohlii full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg, from the product label.

Nutritional Concepts

See all Nutritional Concepts products
Name
Nutritional Concepts
City
Farmingdale
State
NY
ZipCode
11735
Phone Number
800-777-2200
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts: Common Questions

Does Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg by Nutritional Concepts interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg has a known interaction with 915 medications, including 29 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Optimal Forskohlii 250 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 forskohlii, and what does it do?
Forskohlii (Coleus) is a plant extract containing a compound called forskolin. This supplement is marketed for several purposes — angina, asthma, cancer, heart failure, eczema, and dry eye — but we don't yet have reliable evidence that it works for any of them.
Can I take this if I have a heart condition or take heart medications?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Forskohlii interacts with nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and other cardiovascular medications in ways that could amplify their blood-vessel-relaxing effects. This is serious — talk to your pharmacist or doctor before considering it.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common are gastrointestinal: diarrhea (especially if you take higher doses), constipation, nausea, and vomiting. One trial showed about 1 in 15 people had increased bowel movements. Forskohlii may also lower blood pressure.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data, and the data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor if you're considering it during these times.
Can this interact with blood thinners or warfarin?
Yes. Forskohlii may increase bleeding risk with blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs, and its effect on warfarin's metabolism is uncertain — it could either strengthen or weaken the drug's action. Do not combine them without guidance from your pharmacist or doctor.
How long can I safely take this supplement?
Forskohlii is not well studied for long-term use, so we don't have good data on safety over months or years. Use it only under professional guidance and with care.

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.

Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Optimal Forskohlii 250 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Coleus

Interacts with 915 drugs

Coleus is a plant from the mint family whose root contains a compound called forskolin, often marketed for weight loss, asthma, and heart health. While early lab and small human studies are...

Read the full Coleus monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Optimal Forskohlii 250 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 16 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.

Coleus 16 references
  1. Baumann G, Felix S, Sattelberger U, Klein G. Cardiovascular effects of forskolin (HL-362) in patients with idiopathic congestiv cardiomyopathy. A comparative study with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1990;16:93-100.
  2. Kramer W, Thormann J, Kindler M, Schlepper M. Effects of forskolin on left ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy. Arzneimittelforschung 1987;37:364-7.
  3. Bauer K, Dietersdorfer F, Kaspar S, et al. Pharmacodynamic effects of inhaled dry powder formulations of fenoterol and colforsin in asthma. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993;53:76-83. PubMed
  4. Christenson JT, Thulesius O, Nazzal MM. The effect of forskolin on blood flow, platelet metabolism, aggregation and ATP release. Vasa 1995;24:56-61.
  5. Agarwal KC, Zielinski BA, Maitra RS. Significance of plasma adenosine in the antiplatelet activity of forskolin: potentiation by dipyridamole and dilazep. Thromb Haemost 1989;61:106-10. DOI
  6. Agarwal KC, Parks RE. Forskolin: a potential antimetastatic agent. Int J Cancer 1983;32:801-4. PubMed
  7. Almeida, F. C. and Lemonica, I. P. The toxic effects of Coleus barbatus B. on the different periods of pregnancy in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;73(1-2):53-60. PubMed
  8. Ding, X. and Staudinger, J. L. Induction of drug metabolism by forskolin: the role of the pregnane X receptor and the protein kinase a signal transduction pathway. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005;312(2):849-856. PubMed
  9. Staudinger, J. L., Ding, X., and Lichti, K. Pregnane X receptor and natural products: beyond drug-drug interactions. Expert.Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2006;2(6):847-857. PubMed
  10. van Hecke, E., Hindryckx, P., Geuns, J. M., and Devriese, E. Airborne contact dermatitis from coleus in a housewife. Contact Dermatitis 1991;25(2):128-129. PubMed
  11. Schlepper, M., Thormann, J., and Mitrovic, V. Cardiovascular effects of forskolin and phosphodiesterase-III inhibitors. Basic Res Cardiol 1989;84 Suppl 1:197-212. PubMed
  12. Dooms-Goossens, A., Borghijs, A., Degreef, H., Devriese, E. G., and Geuns, J. M. Airborne contact dermatitis to Coleus. Contact Dermatitis 1987;17(2):109-110. PubMed
  13. Lindner, E., Dohadwalla, A. N., and Bhattacharya, B. K. Positive inotropic and blood pressure lowering activity of a diterpene derivative isolated from Coleus forskohli: Forskolin. Arzneimittelforschung 1978;28(2):284-289.
  14. Loftus HL, Astell KJ, Mathai ML, et al. Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2015;7(11): PubMed
  15. Yokotani K, Chiba T, Sato Y, et al. Hepatic cytochrome P450 mediates interaction between warfarin and Coleus forskohlii extract in vivo and in vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012;64(12):1793-801.
  16. Nishijima C, Chiba T, Sato Y, Umegaki K. Nationwide Online Survey Enables the Reevaluation of the Safety of Coleus forskohlii Extract Intake Based on the Adverse Event Frequencies. Nutrients. 2019;11(4). pii: E866. PubMed

See these in context on the Coleus 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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