Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 6 of 7 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

PhytoTick Defense Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Allergy Research Group

PhytoTick Defense label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking PhytoTick Defense 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

PhytoTick Defense is a dietary supplement by Allergy Research Group with 7 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and cognitive support, nerve health, mood and anxiety.Based on those ingredients, 1,242 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract, Sweet Wormwood, Powder, Coptis Rhizome 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 PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group

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 Sep 3, 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 7 of its 7 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

PhytoTick Defense contains 7 active ingredients. Lion's Mane Mushroom is included for potential cognitive support.

Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract, Cordyceps Powder, Sweet Wormwood, and Coptis Rhizome Extract have traditional roles in immune and inflammatory response. Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6 is a soluble fiber that supports heart health and cholesterol levels.

Houttuynia is also present. The product is made with inactive ingredients including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (the capsule), stearic acid, and silicon dioxide.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support healthy microbial balance and immune response.
  • We looked for evidence on: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Asthma, Autoimmune thyroiditis, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Exercise-induced respiratory infections, Hepatitis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Sweet Annie is rated "Possibly Effective" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Asthma, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Also on file: Cordyceps is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Asthma, Hepatitis B.

The evidence on these ingredients is mixed and limited. Beta Glucan shows solid support — it's likely effective for lowering cholesterol and supporting heart health.

Sweet Wormwood appears possibly effective for hay fever symptoms. For the other ingredients, the research isn't established enough to rate: Lion's Mane lacks reliable evidence for cognitive function or Alzheimer's disease, Cat's Claw hasn't shown sufficient evidence for hay fever or other conditions listed, Cordyceps appears possibly ineffective for athletic performance and has insufficient evidence for sexual function or lung issues, and Coptis has no effectiveness ratings on file.

We hold no effectiveness data for Houttuynia.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lion's Mane Mushroom Cat's Claw Cordyceps Sweet Annie Goldthread 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 5 of the 6 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 6.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 6 of 6.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Sweet Wormwood are generally well tolerated short-term, though long-term safety hasn't been well studied for any of them. Cat's Claw is well tolerated in short-term use in healthy adults, but several case reports link it to kidney injury in susceptible people.

Beta Glucans from food are generally well tolerated; concentrated supplements lack safety data, so caution is advised. Common side effects are mild: Lion's Mane may cause nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, or a skin rash.

Cordyceps and Sweet Wormwood can cause digestive upset. One case report linked cordyceps to liver inflammation, though the cause wasn't certain.

Sweet Wormwood rarely causes serious liver damage. Cat's Claw hasn't shown clear adverse effects in most people, though a small number of trial participants experienced blood count changes and nerve damage; however, those participants had advanced cancer, so it's unclear whether the supplement caused the effects.

During pregnancy: Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Sweet Wormwood safety data are insufficient — avoid. Cat's Claw is possibly unsafe due to historical use as an abortifacient and lack of safety data.

Coptis is likely unsafe because berberine (its active compound) may harm the fetus. Beta Glucans have insufficient data.

While breastfeeding: Lion's Mane, Cat's Claw, Cordyceps, and Sweet Wormwood should be avoided due to insufficient safety data. Coptis should be avoided because berberine passes to breast milk.

Beta Glucans warrant caution due to limited research.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lion's Mane Mushroom Cat's Claw Cordyceps Sweet Annie Goldthread 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?
  • 6 of the 6 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Cat's Claw, Goldthread, Cordyceps, Sweet Annie, Beta-glucans, among others.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,243 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 PhytoTick Defense, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these: blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel) — bleeding risk is Moderate; blood pressure medications or calcium channel blockers — risk of low blood pressure is Moderate; immune-suppressing drugs like cyclosporine or tacrolimus — risk of interference is Moderate; antiviral medications, especially nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) — the Cat's Claw may reduce its effectiveness; drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 (check with your pharmacist for your specific medications) — Sweet Wormwood and Coptis may affect their levels; blood sugar medications — Lion's Mane may have additive effects; or cholesterol medications like lovastatin — Coptis may raise their levels.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

PhytoTick Defense combines immune-supporting and anti-inflammatory herbs with some evidence for cholesterol and heart health (Beta Glucan). However, this product is not for you if you take blood thinners, blood pressure medications, immunosuppressants, or certain antivirals like Paxlovid — interactions are documented.

It's also not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you have any chronic illness, take prescription medication, or are considering this for a specific health goal, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 6 of 7 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 24, 2024.

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 PhytoTick Defense, straight from the product label.

Brand Allergy Research Group
Barcode (UPC) 713947782808
Net contents 120 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 304270
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
713947782808
IngredientAmount% DV
Lion's Mane250 mg--
Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract125 mg--
Cordyceps, Powder250 mg--
Sweet Wormwood, Powder150 mg--
Coptis Rhizome Extract150 mg--
Houttuynia, Powder125 mg--
Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6125 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide

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

A blend of mushrooms, herbs, and beta glucan to support healthy microbial balance and immune response.

General Statements

Developed by Darin Ingels, ND, and Allergy Research Group.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use As a dietary supplement, 2 capsules one or two times daily with or without food, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place, tightly capped.

Precautions

Warning: Consuming this product can expose you to lead which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formulation

Microbial balancer

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

PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group label

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

PhytoTick Defense 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 PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group

These are the 7 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Lion's Mane

Interacts with
327 drugs
250 mg per serving

Lion's mane is an edible mushroom that is popular as a 'nootropic' for memory, focus, and nerve health, but solid human evidence is still limited and...

Lion's Mane monograph & interactions

Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract

Interacts with
962 drugs
125 mg per serving

Cat's claw is a South American vine traditionally used for inflammation, joint pain, and immune support. Some small studies hint it may help with arth...

Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract monograph & interactions

Cordyceps, Powder

Interacts with
249 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Cordyceps sinensis, Powder

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

Cordyceps, Powder monograph & interactions

Sweet Wormwood, Powder

Interacts with
889 drugs
150 mg per serving Form: Artemisia annua, Powder, Artemisia annua, Powder

Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is the source of artemisinin, a compound used in prescription antimalarial drugs. While the purified drug is well studie...

Sweet Wormwood, Powder monograph & interactions

Coptis Rhizome Extract

Interacts with
643 drugs
150 mg per serving Form: Coptis chinensis Rhizome Extract

Goldthread is a traditional Chinese and East Asian herb whose root is rich in berberine, a compound being studied for blood sugar, cholesterol, and an...

Coptis Rhizome Extract monograph & interactions

Houttuynia, Powder

125 mg per serving Form: Houttuynia cordata, Powder

Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6

Interacts with
293 drugs
125 mg per serving Form: Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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

Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against PhytoTick Defense?

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
1,242Drugs
1,242 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract 962
Sweet Wormwood, Powder 889
Coptis Rhizome Extract 643
Lion's Mane 327
Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6 293

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in PhytoTick Defense interact with 1,242 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

6 of the 7 ingredients in PhytoTick Defense interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract Sweet Wormwood, Powder Coptis Rhizome Extract Lion's Mane Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6 Cordyceps, Powder

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in PhytoTick Defense with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract6 drug types · 962 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, cat's claw may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can inhibit platelet aggregation. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. In vitro and animal research suggests that rhynchophylline can lower blood pressure. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with calcium channel blockers might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains various alkaloids, including rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, and isocorynoxiene. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can lower blood pressure by acting as calcium channel blockers. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, cat's claw might increase or decrease the levels and effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Cat's claw may affect the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. In vitro research shows that cat's claw can inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes. In one case report, a patient taking cat's claw (at an unspecified dose) experienced increased serum levels of atazanavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir, all of which are CYP3A4 substrates. Levels returned to normal 15 days after discontinuation of the cat's claw supplement, suggesting inhibition of CYP3A4 by cat's claw. In contrast, animal research suggests that rhynchophylline, an alkaloid contained in cat's claw, induces CYP3A expression and accelerates the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, cat's claw might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In human and laboratory research, cat's claw has been shown to have immunostimulating activity. It stimulates phagocytosis and increases respiratory cellular activity and the mobility of leukocytes. Theoretically, this could interfere with the activity of immunosuppressant medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid)

Theoretically, cat's claw may decrease the levels of nirmatrelvir.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that this alkaloid induces CYP3A expression, thereby accelerating the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cat's Claw Inner Bark Extract full monograph & interactions

Sweet Wormwood, Powder3 drug types · 889 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Sweet Annie may alter plasma levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that the Sweet Annie constituent artemisinin induces CYP2B6, possibly increasing CYP2B6 activity by 1.6-fold. However, Sweet Annie extract seems to inhibit the activity of CYP2B6 in vitro, suggesting that other constituents of Sweet Annie play a role in its effects on the overall activity of this enzyme. More information is needed to determine whether taking Sweet Annie extract affects the metabolism of CYP2B6 substrates.

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

Sweet Annie may alter plasma levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that the Sweet Annie constituent artemisinin induces CYP3A4, possibly increasing CYP3A4 activity by 1.9-fold. However, Sweet Annie extract seems to inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 in vitro, suggesting that other constituents of Sweet Annie play a role in its effects on the overall activity of this enzyme. More information is needed to determine whether taking Sweet Annie extract affects the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use might have additive adverse hepatotoxic effects.
There is some concern that Sweet Annie can adversely affect the liver.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sweet Wormwood, Powder full monograph & interactions

Coptis Rhizome Extract2 drug types · 643 drugs

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Berberine, a constituent of goldthread, can reduce metabolism of cyclosporine and increase serum levels. It might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine.

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

There's very preliminary evidence that berberine, a constituent of goldthread, might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans. However, watch for an increase in the levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 in patients taking goldthread. Some drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), and numerous others. Use goldthread cautiously or avoid in patients taking these drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Coptis Rhizome Extract full monograph & interactions

Lion's Mane3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, lion's mane mushroom may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research suggests that lion's mane mushroom extracts can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, lion's mane mushroom may have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that an aqueous extract of lion's mane mushroom can reduce serum glucose and increase serum insulin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of lion's mane mushroom might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In animal and in vitro research, lion's mane mushroom polysaccharides stimulate the immune system.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lion's Mane full monograph & interactions

Beta Glucan 1,3/1,62 drug types · 293 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking beta-glucans with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Clinical research shows that taking beta-glucans may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in some hypertensive individuals.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, beta-glucans might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Some clinical research shows that beta-glucans have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Beta Glucan 1,3/1,6 full monograph & interactions

Cordyceps, Powder3 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, Powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for PhytoTick Defense, from the product label.

Allergy Research Group

See all Allergy Research Group products
Name
Allergy Research Group
City
South Salt Lake
State
UT
ZipCode
84115
Phone Number
800.545.9960
Web Address
www.allergyresearchgroup.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group: Common Questions

Does PhytoTick Defense by Allergy Research Group interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, PhytoTick Defense has a known interaction with 1,242 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
PhytoTick Defense contains 7 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Can I take PhytoTick Defense if I'm pregnant?
No, you should avoid it. Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Sweet Wormwood lack enough safety data, Cat's Claw has a history of use as an abortifacient and insufficient data, and Coptis is likely unsafe because its active compound (berberine) may harm the developing baby. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplement during pregnancy.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
No. Lion's Mane, Cat's Claw, Cordyceps, and Sweet Wormwood all have insufficient safety data while breastfeeding, and Coptis should be avoided because berberine passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about what's safe for you and your baby.
Does this product actually work for immune support?
We don't have effectiveness ratings for most of these ingredients — the evidence isn't established enough to say whether they work. Beta Glucan is likely effective for heart health and cholesterol, and Sweet Wormwood appears possibly effective for hay fever, but for the other ingredients' immune claims, reliable evidence is lacking.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort. Lion's Mane may also cause a skin rash. Most people tolerate these ingredients without serious problems, though long-term safety data are limited.
Is this safe to take long-term?
Long-term safety hasn't been well studied for most of these ingredients. While short-term use appears generally well tolerated, we don't have good data on what happens with months or years of use, and product quality can vary widely. Talk with your doctor about whether this is right for you over the long term.
Does this interact with my blood pressure medication?
Yes — potentially. Cat's Claw and Beta Glucan may lower blood pressure when used with blood pressure medications, raising the risk of hypotension (blood pressure dropping too low). Check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking this product if you're on a blood pressure medication or calcium channel blocker.

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.

PhytoTick Defense label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind PhytoTick Defense’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Lion's Mane Mushroom

Interacts with 327 drugs

Lion's mane is an edible mushroom that is popular as a 'nootropic' for memory, focus, and nerve health, but solid human evidence is still limited and early. It is generally well tolerated as...

Read the full Lion's Mane Mushroom monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cat's Claw

Interacts with 962 drugs

Cat's claw is a South American vine traditionally used for inflammation, joint pain, and immune support. Some small studies hint it may help with arthritis symptoms, but the overall evidence...

Read the full Cat's Claw monograph → 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

Sweet Annie

Interacts with 889 drugs

Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is the source of artemisinin, a compound used in prescription antimalarial drugs. While the purified drug is well studied for malaria, the herb itself as a supp...

Read the full Sweet Annie monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Goldthread

Interacts with 643 drugs

Goldthread is a traditional Chinese and East Asian herb whose root is rich in berberine, a compound being studied for blood sugar, cholesterol, and antimicrobial effects. Strong human eviden...

Read the full Goldthread 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

PhytoTick Defense'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 61 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.

Lion's Mane Mushroom 6 references
  1. Product information for <em>Niaspan</em>. Abbott Laboratories. North Chicago, IL 60064. April 2015.
  2. Liang B, Guo Z, Xie F, Zhao A. Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus in experimental diabetic rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:253. PubMed
  3. Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-72.
  4. Mori K, Kikuchi H, Obara Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of hericenone B from Hericium erinaceus on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(14):1082-5. PubMed
  5. Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of early Alzheimer's disease by erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia pilot double-blind placebo-controlled study. Front Aging Neurosci 2020 Jun 3;12:155. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155. PubMed
  6. Tian B, Liu R, Xu T, et al. Modulating effects of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides on the immune response by regulating gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. J Sci Food Agric 2023;103(6):3050-3064.

See these in context on the Lion's Mane Mushroom monograph →

Cat's Claw 16 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
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Sweet Annie 11 references
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Beta-glucans 11 references
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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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