Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

POA-Phytolens Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Biotics Research Corporation

POA-Phytolens label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking POA-Phytolens 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

POA-Phytolens is a dietary supplement by Biotics Research Corporation with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 962 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cat's Claw. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (450 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

POA-Phytolens contains two active ingredients: cat's claw and Phytolens. Cat's claw is a plant extract traditionally used in herbal medicine, while Phytolens is a proprietary botanical ingredient.

The product is made as a vegetable capsule with vegetable culture as the only other ingredient.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Joint health and inflammation support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Joint pain, Arthritis.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence for cat's claw in this product isn't established for the conditions listed in our data — hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence. That means we don't hold solid proof that cat's claw works for these uses.

We have no effectiveness data on file for Phytolens.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cat's Claw

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.

Cat's claw is generally well tolerated in the short term by healthy adults, but we don't know much about long-term safety. One clinical study in patients with advanced cancer reported anemia in 12% of participants and neuropathy (nerve damage) in 8%; however, because these patients had serious illness and received no placebo, it's unclear whether cat's claw caused these effects.

Several case reports link cat's claw to kidney injury, including acute kidney failure in one patient and acute kidney inflammation in another — both improved after stopping the supplement. Avoid this product during pregnancy because of cat's claw's traditional use to cause miscarriage and lack of safety data.

Don't use while breastfeeding either, as safety information is insufficient. If you have a history of kidney disease or are at risk for it, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cat's Claw

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 — Cat's Claw.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 963 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 POA-Phytolens, double-check if you use any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate severity), blood pressure medications, calcium channel blockers, CYP3A4-metabolized drugs, Paxlovid, or immunosuppressants (all Moderate). Altogether, these interactions span 948 individual medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

POA-Phytolens is built around cat's claw, a plant with interactions worth watching — especially if you take blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or Paxlovid. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney concerns, this product isn't for you.

Check your medications with the tool on this page before starting.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 25, 2013.

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 POA-Phytolens, straight from the product label.

Brand Biotics Research Corporation
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2013
DSLD ID 22122
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation, 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)
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend450 mg--
Cat's Claw0 NP--
Phytolens(R)0 NP--

Other ingredients: Vegetable culture

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

RECOMMENDATION: One (1) capsule taken one (1) to three (3) times each day as a dietary supplement or as otherwise directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Sealed with an imprinted safety seal for your protection.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry area.

General

Rev. 11/08

Formula

(Cat's Claw)

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Uncaria tomentosa in POA-Phytolens(R) is virtually free of tetracyclic alkaloids. US Patent No. 5,762,936

(C) Copyright 2010

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

See for yourself

POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation label

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

POA-Phytolens 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 POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Proprietary Blend

450 mg per serving

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

Interaction report

POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against POA-Phytolens?

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
962Drugs
962 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cat's Claw 962

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in POA-Phytolens interact with 962 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in POA-Phytolens interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cat's Claw

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in POA-Phytolens 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.

Cat's Claw6 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 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for POA-Phytolens, from the product label.

Biotics Research Corporation

See all Biotics Research Corporation products
Name
BIOTICS RESEARCH CORP.
City
Rosenberg
State
Texas
Phone Number
(281) 344-0909
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation: Common Questions

Does POA-Phytolens by Biotics Research Corporation interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, POA-Phytolens has a known interaction with 962 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
POA-Phytolens contains 2 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.
Is cat's claw safe to take long-term?
Cat's claw is generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking about taking this product for weeks or months, talk with your pharmacist about what we actually know and don't know.
Can I take this if I'm on blood pressure medication?
Not without checking first. Cat's claw may lower blood pressure on its own, so combining it with blood pressure drugs could push your pressure too low. Run your specific medication through the interaction checker on this page, then talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
What are the side effects of cat's claw?
In one study of cancer patients taking cat's claw, the most common reported effects were neuropathy (nerve tingling or pain) in 8%, fatigue and insomnia in 4% each, and headache in 2%. Case reports also link cat's claw to kidney injury, though this is rare. Because that study didn't use a placebo group, it's hard to know what was due to cat's claw versus the underlying disease.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. Cat's claw has been used traditionally to cause miscarriage, and safety data is lacking, so you should avoid it during pregnancy. Don't use it while breastfeeding either — there isn't enough safety information.
Does this product actually work?
We don't have solid evidence that cat's claw works for the conditions listed in our data — hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, or chronic fatigue syndrome all fall short. We have no effectiveness data for the other ingredient, Phytolens.

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.

POA-Phytolens label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind POA-Phytolens’s Ingredients

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

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 →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

POA-Phytolens'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.

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
  3. Sandoval M, Charbonnet RM, Okuhama NN, et al. Cat's claw inhibits TNFalpha production and scavenges free radicals: role in cytoprotection. Free Radic Biol Med 2000;29:71-78.
  4. Müller AC, Kanfer I. Potential pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretrovirals and medicinal plants used as complementary and African traditional medicines. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 2011;32(8):458-70. PubMed
  5. Sheng, Y., Bryngelsson, C., and Pero, R. W. Enhanced DNA repair, immune function and reduced toxicity of C-MED-100, a novel aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;69(2):115-126. PubMed
  6. Lamm, S., Sheng, Y., and Pero, R. W. Persistent response to pneumococcal vaccine in individuals supplemented with a novel water soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med-100. Phytomedicine 2001;8(4):267-274.
  7. Sheng, Y., Li, L., Holmgren, K., and Pero, R. W. DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human volunteer study. Phytomedicine 2001;8(4):275-282.
  8. Chen, C. X., Jin, R. M., Li, Y. K., Zhong, J., Yue, L., Chen, S. C., and Zhou, J. Y. Inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline on platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue.Bao. 1992;13(2):126-130.
  9. Flythe, J. E., Rueda, J. F., Riscoe, M. K., and Watnick, S. Silicate nephrolithiasis after ingestion of supplements containing silica dioxide. Am.J.Kidney Dis. 2009;54(1):127-130. PubMed
  10. Zhou, J. and Zhou, S. Antihypertensive and neuroprotective activities of rhynchophylline: the role of rhynchophylline in neurotransmission and ion channel activity. J.Ethnopharmacol. 10-28-2010;132(1):15-27. PubMed
  11. Zhou, J. Y. and Zhou, S. W. Isorhynchophylline: A plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Fitoterapia 2012;83(4):617-626. PubMed
  12. Hemingway, S. R. and Phillipson, J. D. Proceedings: Alkaloids from S. American species of Uncaria (Rubiaceae). J.Pharm.Pharmacol. 1974;26 Suppl:113P.
  13. Hilepo, J. N., Bellucci, A. G., and Mossey, R. T. Acute renal failure caused by 'cat's claw' herbal remedy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Nephron 1997;77(3):361. PubMed
  14. De Paula LCL, Fonseca F, Perazzo F, et al. Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(1):22-30.
  15. Portalatin G, Shettigar S, Carrion-Rodriguez A, et al. Ketogenic-Diet Shake Containing Uncaria tomentosa-Associated Acute Interstitial Nephritis. Case Rep Nephrol Dial 2022;12(3):219-225.
  16. Lei S, Guo A, Lu J, et al. Activation of PXR causes drug interactions with Paxlovid in transgenic mice. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023;13(11):4502-4510. PubMed

See these in context on the Cat's Claw 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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