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Dietary supplement

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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: Moderate

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for fatigue and low energy, athletic performance and stamina, respiratory and lung support.Based on those ingredients, 416 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody 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 Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola

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.
  • “Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (500 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This supplement has one active ingredient: beta-glucan from cordyceps mushroom extract at 500 mg per capsule. Beta-glucans are naturally occurring compounds found in mushrooms and other sources; they're the part of cordyceps believed to support heart and cholesterol health.

The remaining ingredients — pullulan, rice hull, rice extract, gum acacia, and sunflower oil — are inactive excipients that help form and fill the capsule.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Beta-glucans's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Energy, stamina, and respiratory support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Fatigue, Athletic performance, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lower respiratory tract infections, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Exercise-induced respiratory infections — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Beta-glucans is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Beta-glucans is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Exercise-induced respiratory infections, Lower respiratory tract infections, Aging.

Beta-glucans show likely effectiveness for two uses backed by clinical research: lowering cholesterol and triglycerides (dyslipidemia) and supporting heart health in coronary heart disease. That said, cordyceps themselves are marketed for energy and stamina, but the evidence supporting beta-glucan specifically for those claims isn't established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cordyceps Beta-glucans

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.

Beta-glucans from food sources are generally well tolerated by most people. However, concentrated supplements like this one lack the long-term safety data that food sources have, so caution is warranted.

Orally, they're considered well tolerated overall, though in rare cases during high-dose trials, mild and temporary liver enzyme elevations have been reported. Topically, skin reactions and contact dermatitis can occur, though those aren't relevant to a capsule you swallow.

Little research exists on supplement doses during breastfeeding, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cordyceps Beta-glucans

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Beta-glucans.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 293 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.

Check your medications against this product if you take blood pressure drugs (antihypertensives) or immune-suppressing medications (immunosuppressants). Both carry Moderate risk of interaction with the beta-glucan in this supplement.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're looking to support heart health and cholesterol levels, beta-glucans have solid research behind them. But if you take blood pressure medications or immunosuppressants, check with your pharmacist first — this supplement might affect how those drugs work.

Pregnant or nursing? There isn't enough safety data, so chat 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 Feb 23, 2025.

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 Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 810094213671
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2025
DSLD ID 327192
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola, 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
810094213671
IngredientAmount% DV
Beta-Glucan125 mg--
Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Pullulan, Rice hull, Rice extract, Gum Acacia, Sunflower Oil

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

Suggested use: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule daily.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

Formulation

USDA Organic

Certified Organic by: Quality Assurance International

Formula

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg per capsule

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Providing quality products since 2001.

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

See for yourself

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola label

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

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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 Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola

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.

Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract

Interacts with
249 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Cordyceps militaris Fruitbody Extract

Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for energy, exercise performance, and lung and immune support. Human research is limited an...

Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Pullulan, Rice hull, Rice extract, Gum Acacia, Sunflower Oil. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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
416Drugs
408 Moderate 8 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract 249

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg interact with 416 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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.

Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract3 drug types · 249 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, cordyceps may increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
In vitro and animal research suggests that cordyceps extract inhibits platelet aggregation and function. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that cordyceps stimulates the immune system. However, limited clinical research suggests that taking cordyceps may lower the necessary therapeutic dose of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, which suggests that cordyceps may have an immunosuppressive effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Testosterone

Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps and testosterone might have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that cordyceps can increase testosterone levels. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cordyceps Mushroom Fruitbody Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg, from the product label.

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg has a known interaction with 416 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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.
Does this actually give you more energy like cordyceps are supposed to?
Cordyceps are traditionally used for energy and stamina, but our data doesn't establish whether beta-glucan specifically supports those claims. What we do have good evidence for is heart health and cholesterol support.
Is it safe to take if I'm on blood pressure medication?
Not without checking first. Beta-glucans can lower blood pressure on their own, so combining them with blood pressure drugs might lower it too much. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting — they can look at your exact medication and dosing.
What are the side effects?
Taken by mouth, beta-glucans are generally well tolerated. In rare high-dose trials, temporary liver enzyme changes have occurred, but they were mild. Skin reactions happen with topical beta-glucan creams, not with capsules.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough research on supplement doses during breastfeeding to say either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you weigh whether it's right for you.
Is this the same as cordyceps powder or extract I see elsewhere?
This product is a concentrated extract of the cordyceps fruitbody, standardized to deliver 500 mg. Other cordyceps products may use different parts of the mushroom or different concentrations, so they may not work the same way.

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.

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Cordyceps

Interacts with 249 drugs

Cordyceps is a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for energy, exercise performance, and lung and immune support. Human research is limited and mostly low quality, so its benefits ar...

Read the full Cordyceps monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Beta-glucans

Interacts with 293 drugs

Beta-glucans are natural fibers found in oats, barley, mushrooms, and yeast. The strongest evidence supports the oat and barley types for modestly lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, while...

Read the full Beta-glucans monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 500 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 25 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.

Beta-glucans 11 references
  1. Katz, D. L., Nawaz, H., Boukhalil, J., Giannamore, V., Chan, W., Ahmadi, R., and Sarrel, P. M. Acute effects of oats and vitamin E on endothelial responses to ingested fat. Am.J.Prev.Med. 2001;20(2):124-129. PubMed
  2. Keenan, J. M., Pins, J. J., Frazel, C., Moran, A., and Turnquist, L. Oat ingestion reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with mild or borderline hypertension: a pilot trial. J.Fam.Pract. 2002;51(4):369.
  3. Maki, K. C., Galant, R., Samuel, P., Tesser, J., Witchger, M. S., Ribaya-Mercado, J. D., Blumberg, J. B., and Geohas, J. Effects of consuming foods containing oat beta-glucan on blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism and biomarkers of oxidative stress i
  4. Bergendiova, K., Tibenska, E., and Majtan, J. Pleuran (beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation, cellular immune response and respiratory tract infections in athletes. Eur.J.Appl.Physiol 2011;111(9):2033-2040.
  5. Talbott S, Talbott J. Effect of beta 1,3/1,6 glucan on respiratory tract infection symptoms and mood state in marathon athletes. J Sports Sci Med 2009;8(4):509-515.
  6. Feldman S, Schwartz HI Kalman DS Mayers A Kohrman HM Clemens R Krieger DR. Randomized phase II clinical trials of Wellmune WGP® for immune support during cold and flu season. The Journal of Applied Research 2009;9(1-2):30-42.
  7. McFarlin BK, Carpenter KC, Davidson T, McFarlin MA. Baker's yeast beta glucan supplementation increases salivary IgA and decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise. J Diet Suppl. 2013;10(3):171-83. PubMed
  8. Jesenak M, Urbancek S, Majtan J, Banovcin P, Hercogova J. ß-Glucan-based cream (containing pleuran isolated from pleurotus ostreatus) in supportive treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2016;27(4):351-4.
  9. Mah E, Kaden VN, Kelley KM, Liska DJ. Beverage containing dispersible yeast ß-glucan decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise: a randomized controlled trial. J Diet Suppl 2020;17(2):200-10. PubMed
  10. Zhong K, Liu Z, Lu Y, Xu X. Effects of yeast ß-glucans for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr. 2021. PubMed
  11. Cardenas FI, Mauguen A, Cheung IY, et al. Phase I trial of oral yeast-derived ß-glucan to enhance anti-GD2 immunotherapy of resistant high-risk neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021;13(24):6265. PubMed

See these in context on the Beta-glucans monograph →

Cordyceps 14 references
  1. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis: part I. J Altern Complement Med 1998;4:289-303.
  2. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis: part II. J Altern Complement Med 1998;4:429-57.
  3. Chen YJ, Shiao MS, Lee SS, Wang SY. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic U937 cells. Life Sci 1997;60:2349-59. PubMed
  4. Zhao Y. [Inhibitory effects of alcoholic extract of Cordyceps sinensis on abdominal aortic thrombus formation in rabbits]. Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih (Taipei) 1991;71:612-5, 42.
  5. Chen GZ, Chen GL, Sun T, et al. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on murine T lymphocyte subsets. Chin Med J (English) 1991;104:4-8.
  6. Zhu XY, Yu HY. [Immunosuppressive effect of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on cellular immune response]. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1990;10:485-7, 454.
  7. Hsu, C. C., Huang, Y. L., Tsai, S. J., Sheu, C. C., and Huang, B. M. In vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci 9-5-2003;73(16):2127-2136. PubMed
  8. Ikumoto, T., Sasaki, S., Namba, H., Toyama, R., Moritoki, H., and Mouri, T. [Physiologically active compounds in the extracts from tochukaso and cultured mycelia of Cordyceps and Isaria]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1991;111(9):504-509. PubMed
  9. Wu, T. N., Yang, K. C., Wang, C. M., Lai, J. S., Ko, K. N., Chang, P. Y., and Liou, S. H. Lead poisoning caused by contaminated Cordyceps, a Chinese herbal medicine: two case reports. Sci.Total Environ. 4-5-1996;182(1-3):193-195. PubMed
  10. Hong T, Zhang M, Fan J. Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for kidney transplant recipients (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(10):CD009698. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009698.pub2.
  11. Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Tung YS, Kwan TH, Mok CK, Leung C, Chan LS. Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(12):CD008353. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008353.pub2. PubMed
  12. Bee Yean O, Zoriah A. Efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis as an adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. J Tradit Chin Med. 2019;39(1):1-14.
  13. Thurian D, Montani M, Stickel F. Drug-induced, mixed-type hepatitis following ingestion of Cordyceps sinensis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2022;60(2):115-120. PubMed
  14. Yu X, Mao Y, Shergis JL, et al. Effectiveness and safety of oral Cordyceps sinensis on stable COPD of GOLD stages 2-3: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:4903671.

See these in context on the Cordyceps 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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