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Dietary supplement

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Whole World Botanicals

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

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract is a dietary supplement by Whole World Botanicals 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 Uncaria tomentosa Inner Bark Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals

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

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 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: Uncaria tomentosa Inner Bark Extract, commonly called cat's claw. It's a liquid form with glycerin, grain alcohol, and water as inactive ingredients.

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 Cat's Claw's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports heart and immune system health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), immune function, inflammation, cardiovascular health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence for cat's claw isn't established in our data for any of the conditions it's traditionally used for—including hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Each carries a rating of insufficient reliable evidence.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means human studies either don't exist or aren't robust enough to draw conclusions.

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 cancer patients reported anemia in 12% and smaller percentages of low white blood cells and low platelets; headache, fatigue, insomnia, and nerve damage also appeared, though it's unclear whether cat's claw or the underlying disease caused them.

Several case reports link cat's claw to kidney injury, including acute kidney failure in one patient with lupus that improved after stopping the supplement. Avoid cat's claw during pregnancy because it has a history of traditional use as an abortifacient and lacks safety data.

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 take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, calcium channel blockers for heart disease, medications processed by your liver (CYP3A4 substrates like certain statins and some immunosuppressants), or Paxlovid. Cat's claw may increase bleeding risk, lower blood pressure further, interfere with drug metabolism, or reduce antiviral effectiveness—all Moderate-severity concerns.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cat's claw may help with various conditions, but evidence is weak. It's a bigger concern for what it might do to your medications—especially blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, and antivirals.

If you take any prescription medication, run it through our checker below. Pregnant or nursing?

Skip 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 Jul 25, 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 Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Whole World Botanicals
Barcode (UPC) 691195005712
Net contents 59 mL; 2 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 314699
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals, 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:
5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
10 mL
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
691195005712
IngredientAmount% DV
Uncaria tomentosa Inner Bark Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Glycerin, Grain Alcohol, Water

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

Gluten-free.

Supports heart & immune system health

Wildcrafted Immune Support

Supports the following immune system functions: production of T-cells, DNA repair, macrophage activity. Supports a a healthy inflammation response. Traditional uses: digestive and bowel health. Safe for people with autoimmune conditions.

Formula

Cat's Claw Cat's Claw inner bark Uncaria tomentosa 1:1 Extract Liquid Herbal Extract

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, prevent, or cure any disease.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions for Use: Immediate & Urgent Use: Take 1 tsp. with water at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating, 2 to 3 times daily for up to 3 months or as directed by a physician. Maintenance: Take 1-2 tsp. on an empty stomach once a day, 4-5 days a week.

Precautions

Warning: Consult your physician if pregnant or nursing.

Keep away from children.

See for yourself

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals

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

Serving size5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

Uncaria tomentosa Inner Bark Extract

Interacts with
962 drugs
0 NP 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...

Uncaria tomentosa Inner Bark Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Glycerin, Grain Alcohol, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract 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.

Uncaria tomentosa 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract, from the product label.

Whole World Botanicals

See all Whole World Botanicals products
Name
Whole World Botanicals, Inc.
City
NY
State
NY
ZipCode
10032
Phone Number
(646) 290-8651
Web Address
www.wholeworldbotanicals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals: Common Questions

Does Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract by Whole World Botanicals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract 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?
Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract 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.
Can I take cat's claw if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Avoid it during pregnancy because it has a traditional history as an abortifacient and safety data is lacking. Also avoid it while breastfeeding—there isn't enough safety information.
Does cat's claw actually work for the conditions it claims to treat?
The evidence isn't established in our data. Cat's claw is marketed for hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and chronic fatigue, but each condition has insufficient reliable evidence to rate it.
What side effects did people in studies experience?
In one trial of cancer patients, anemia occurred in 12%, and smaller percentages experienced low white blood cells, low platelets, headache, fatigue, insomnia, and nerve damage. A few case reports have linked cat's claw to kidney injury. Keep in mind the trial didn't use a placebo, so it's unclear what was caused by the disease versus the supplement.
Is cat's claw safe to use long-term?
It's generally well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied, so we don't know what happens if you take it for years.
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
Cat's claw affects how your liver processes drugs and may lower blood pressure and affect bleeding. Those mechanisms touch a lot of different medications, which is why you see such a large interaction list.

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

Not sure if Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract is safe with your meds?

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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.

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Royal Cat's Claw Herbal Extract'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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