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Dietary supplement

Protectagen with AC-11 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Klaire Labs

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Protectagen with AC-11 is a dietary supplement by Klaire Labs with 1 active ingredient. 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 AC-11. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs

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

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.

Protectagen with AC-11 contains one active ingredient: AC-11, which is cat's claw, a plant extract traditionally used in herbal medicine. The product also contains inactive ingredients—hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, water, ascorbyl palmitate, and microcrystalline cellulose—which help form and preserve the capsule.

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 Cat's Claw product and its label doesn't state a use — see Cat's Claw'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 for cat's claw isn't established in the data we hold. Our records list six conditions the ingredient is used for—hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome—but all are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to know whether it actually works.

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 short-term in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. A clinical trial in patients with solid tumors reported anemia in 12% of participants and headache, fatigue, insomnia, and neuropathy in smaller numbers; however, those patients had serious disease and weren't compared to a placebo group, so it's unclear what was caused by cat's claw versus their condition.

Case reports have linked cat's claw to kidney injury in a few people, including one with lupus and another consuming it in shakes alongside a keto diet. You should avoid this product during pregnancy—it has a traditional history of use as an abortifacient and lacks safety data—and also avoid it while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information.

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 this product, check with your pharmacist if you're on blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), blood pressure medications (antihypertensive drugs or calcium channel blockers), drugs metabolized by your liver's CYP3A4 enzyme, immunosuppressants, or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid). All carry moderate-severity interaction risks.

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. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Protectagen with AC-11 may be worth considering if you're interested in cat's claw's traditional uses and have no serious health conditions or medications. If you take any blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, immunosuppressants, or medications metabolized by your liver, or if you're on Paxlovid, check with your pharmacist first.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should not use this product.

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 Dec 21, 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 Protectagen with AC-11, straight from the product label.

Brand Klaire Labs
Barcode (UPC) 828054006263
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 21, 2024
DSLD ID 322446
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
828054006263
IngredientAmount% DV
AC-11350 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Water, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Microcrystalline Cellulose

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.
Formulation

Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, corn, and yeast. Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Produced under a strict quality management system in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and third-party quality certifications.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 capsule, 1 to 2 times daily with food or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Formula

AC-11 is a patented water-soluble plant botanical extract.

Brand IP Statement(s)

AC-11 is a patented water-soluble plant botanical extract. AC-11 is a registered trademark of Optigenex Inc. Covered by U.S. Patents 6,964,784, 7,579,023, 7,595,064, and 7,955,626.

Precautions

Do not use if shrinkwrap is broken or missing.

Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or taking prescription drugs, consult your physician before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place (59 degrees F - 85 degrees F) away from direct light.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

SFI

See for yourself

Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

AC-11

Interacts with
962 drugs
350 mg per serving Form: Cat's Claw Bark Extract, Aqueous

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...

AC-11 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Water, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Microcrystalline Cellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Protectagen with AC-11?

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

AC-11 962

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Protectagen with AC-11 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.

AC-116 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Protectagen with AC-11, from the product label.

Klaire Labs

See all Klaire Labs products
Name
SFI USA
City
Reno
State
NV
ZipCode
89521
Web Address
Klaire.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs: Common Questions

Does Protectagen with AC-11 by Klaire Labs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Protectagen with AC-11 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?
Protectagen with AC-11 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 AC-11?
AC-11 is cat's claw, an herbal extract from a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine. It's the only active ingredient in this product.
Does cat's claw actually work for any of these conditions?
The evidence isn't clear. We have insufficient reliable data on whether it works for hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, or chronic fatigue syndrome—all the conditions it's marketed for.
Is cat's claw safe to take long-term?
Short-term use appears generally well tolerated in healthy adults, but we don't have good information on long-term safety. If you're considering taking it regularly, talk with your pharmacist.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Cat's claw has a traditional history of use as an abortifacient and lacks safety data in pregnancy, so it should be avoided. It should also be avoided while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information.
What side effects might I experience?
In a clinical trial, some patients reported headache, fatigue, insomnia, and neuropathy, though it was unclear whether cat's claw caused these or the patients' underlying disease did. Case reports have also linked cat's claw to kidney injury in rare instances. Most people tolerate it without problems in the short term.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Protectagen with AC-11 is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Protectagen with AC-11 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Protectagen with AC-11’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Protectagen with AC-11'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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