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Dietary supplement

SC Formula Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

SC Formula is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, fatigue and general well-being, stress and sleep.Based on those ingredients, 494 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Reishi Mushroom, Shark Cartilage. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine

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 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1,725 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

SC Formula contains 2 active ingredients: reishi mushroom and shark cartilage, delivered in capsule form. The product also includes inactive ingredients — the capsule itself and magnesium stearate (a binder).

Reishi mushroom is a fungus traditionally used in herbal practice. Shark cartilage is derived from shark skeleton tissue.

What they're believed to do in this formula isn't specified in the product information we have.

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.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: immune system and joint health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Psoriasis, Stress, Insomnia, cartilage health — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Reishi Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Insomnia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Reishi Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Stress.
  • Also on file: Shark Cartilage is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence for reishi mushroom in this formula is mixed to thin. It's rated possibly ineffective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate it for altitude sickness, Alzheimer disease, or athletic performance.

Shark cartilage fares worse: it's rated likely ineffective for cancer, and there's insufficient evidence for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Kaposi sarcoma, osteoarthritis, or psoriasis. Neither ingredient has a strong evidence base for what you might be taking this product to address.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Reishi Mushroom Shark Cartilage

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Reishi mushroom is generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, rash, stomach upset, and sore throat.

Rarely, it can cause insomnia and headache. Shark cartilage is also generally well tolerated, though digestive upset is common — constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and taste disturbances are typical.

It can also cause dizziness and fatigue. Rarely, it's been linked to more serious effects like altered consciousness, weakness, and liver inflammation, though these are uncommon.

Neither reishi nor shark cartilage has enough safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding — the safety data advises against use in both situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Reishi Mushroom Shark Cartilage

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Reishi Mushroom, Shark Cartilage.
  • 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: 494 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 SC Formula, double-check your medications if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk with reishi), blood pressure medications (Moderate risk with reishi), diabetes drugs (Moderate risk with reishi), or immune-suppressing medications (Moderate risk with shark cartilage). Use the medication checker on this page to see if any of yours are affected.

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.

SC Formula is a two-ingredient supplement with documented interactions affecting a large number of medications, especially blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, and immune suppressants. The evidence for either ingredient's effectiveness is sparse or weak.

If you take any blood-pressure or diabetes medication, any blood thinner, or anything that suppresses your immune system, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

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 SC Formula, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904016026
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 278209
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses 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 SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine, 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:
3 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
33
UPC/BARCODE
099904016026
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend1725 mg--
Reishi Mushroom0 NP--
Shark Cartilage0 NP--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Magnesium Stearate

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.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

New look! Same great product

Responsibly sourced

Formula

Nature's Sunshine uses only the finest grade cartilage, which is a rich source of mucopolysaccharides. Reishi mushroom mycelia is cultured in a nutritious organic medium, providing a rich natural source of polysaccharides, peptides, and polyphenols, which provide antioxidant and immune supporting actions. The sharks used in this product are not on the endangered species list and the cartilage used in a by-product of sharks caught for human consumption. The entire shark is used.

Formulation

SC Formula is pure and free from harsh chemicals or solvents.

Immune system Support Nutritional support for joint health Guaranteed Pure

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended use: Take 3 capsules with a meal three times daily.

See for yourself

SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine

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

Serving size3 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container33 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

1725 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against SC Formula?

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
494Drugs
494 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in SC Formula 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.

Reishi Mushroom3 drug types · 375 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, high doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding.
A dose of 1.5 grams daily of reishi mushroom does not seem to decrease platelet aggregation, but a higher dose of 3 grams daily does.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, reishi mushroom might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that reishi mushroom decreases blood sugar. However, in patients with type 2 diabetes, taking reishi mushroom does not reduce fasting glucose levels, and its effects on glycated hemoglobin are inconsistent.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of reishi mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Reishi mushroom has shown hypotensive activity in animal research. Clinical evidence suggests that reishi mushroom reduces blood pressure in some, but not all, patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Shark Cartilage1 drug type · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, shark cartilage might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro evidence suggests that shark cartilage might stimulate immune responses. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for SC Formula, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
(800) 223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does SC Formula by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, SC Formula has a known interaction with 494 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
SC Formula 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.
Can I take SC Formula if I'm on blood pressure medication?
Not without checking first. Reishi mushroom in this formula can lower blood pressure, so combining it with blood pressure drugs might drop your pressure too far. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you start.
What are the most common side effects?
Reishi mushroom often causes dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, stomach upset, and rash. Shark cartilage tends to cause constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and taste changes. Most people tolerate them, but digestive issues and dizziness are the most frequent complaints.
Is this safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data for either reishi or shark cartilage during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the safety data advises against both. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
Does reishi mushroom actually work for what's in this formula?
The evidence is weak. Reishi is rated possibly ineffective for high cholesterol and insufficient evidence for most other conditions we have data on — Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and altitude sickness. We don't know what you're taking this formula for, but the science behind these ingredients is thin.
What if I take a blood thinner — can I use this?
Reishi mushroom at higher doses may increase your bleeding risk. Don't start this without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first — they know your situation and can advise you safely.
If I take diabetes medication, should I avoid this?
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Reishi might add to your diabetes medication's blood-sugar-lowering effect, which could be a problem. Your provider can tell you whether it's safe for your specific situation.

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.

SC Formula label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

SC Formula'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 29 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.

Reishi Mushroom 17 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. Tao J, Feng KY. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ 1990;10:240-3. PubMed
  3. Singh AB, Gupta SK, Pereira BM, Prakash D. Sensitization to Ganoderma lucidum in patients with respiratory allergy in India. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25:440-7.
  4. Lee SY, Rhee HM. Cardiovascular effects of mycelium extract of Ganoderma lucidum: inhibition of sympathetic outflow as a mechanism of its hypotensive action. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1990;38:1359-64. PubMed
  5. Kwok Y, Ng KFJ, Li, CCF, et al. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the platelet and global hemostatic effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-Zhi) in healthy volunteers. Anesth Analg 2005;101:423-6. PubMed
  6. Wanmuang, H., Leopairut, J., Kositchaiwat, C., Wananukul, W., and Bunyaratvej, S. Fatal fulminant hepatitis associated with Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) mushroom powder. J Med Assoc Thai. 2007;90(1):179-181.
  7. Seto, S. W., Lam, T. Y., Tam, H. L., Au, A. L., Chan, S. W., Wu, J. H., Yu, P. H., Leung, G. P., Ngai, S. M., Yeung, J. H., Leung, P. S., Lee, S. M., and Kwan, Y. W. Novel hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum water-extract in obese/diabetic (+db/+db
  8. Chu, T. T., Benzie, I. F., Lam, C. W., Fok, B. S., Lee, K. K., and Tomlinson, B. Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial. Br.J.Nutr. 2012;107(7):1017-1027.
  9. Jin, X., Ruiz, Beguerie J., Sze, D. M., and Chan, G. C. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2012;6:CD007731.
  10. Kabir, Y., Kimura, S., and Tamura, T. Dietary effect of Ganoderma lucidum mushroom on blood pressure and lipid levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol.(Tokyo) 1988;34(4):433-438. PubMed
  11. Kanmatsuse, K., Kajiwara, N., Hayashi, K., Shimogaichi, S., Fukinbara, I., Ishikawa, H., and Tamura, T. [Studies on Ganoderma lucidum. I. Efficacy against hypertension and side effects]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1985;105(10):942-947. PubMed
  12. Gao, Y., Lan, J., Dai, X., Ye, J., and Zhou, S. A Phase I/II Study of Ling Zhi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum(W.Curt: Fr.) Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 2004;6. DOI
  13. Jin H, Zhang G, Cao X, and et al. Treatment of hypertension by linzhi combined with hypotensor and its effects on arterial, arteriolar and capillary pressure and microcirculation. In: Niimi H, Xiu RJ, Sawada T, and et al. Microcirculatory Approach to Asi
  14. Klupp NL, Chang D, Hawke F, Kiat H, Cao H, Grant SJ, Bensoussan A. Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Feb 17;2:CD007259. PubMed
  15. Zhao H, Zhang Q, Zhao L, Huang X, Wang J, Kang X. Spore Powder of Ganoderma lucidum Improves Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:809614.
  16. Pazzi F, Adsuar JC, Domínguez-Muñoz FJ, García-Gordillo MA, Gusi N, Collado-Mateo D. Ganoderma lucidum effects on mood and health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Healthcare (Basel) 2020;8(4):520. PubMed
  17. Kogure T, Koiwai A, Fukushi D, et al. Hypereosinophilia with hepatic nodule formation caused by Ganoderma lucidum. Intern Med 2021;60(24):3897-3903.

See these in context on the Reishi Mushroom monograph →

Shark Cartilage 12 references
  1. Ashar B, Vargo E. Shark cartilage-induced hepatitis [letter]. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:780-1. PubMed
  2. Lane IW, Comac L. Sharks don't get cancer. Garden City, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1992.
  3. Miller DR, Anderson GT, Stark JJ, et al. Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:3649-55. PubMed
  4. Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick L, et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) in patients (pts) with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. Proc Am Soc Clinical Oncol 1998;17:A240.
  5. Batist G, Patenaude F, Champagne P, et al. Neovastat (AE-941) in refractory renal cell carcinoma patients: report of a phase II trial with two dose levels. Ann Oncol 2002;13:1259-63..
  6. Merly, L., Simjee, S., and Smith, S. L. Induction of inflammatory cytokines by cartilage extracts. Int Immunopharmacol. 2007;7(3):383-391. PubMed
  7. Bargahi, A., Hassan, Z. M., Rabbani, A., Langroudi, L., Noori, S. H., and Safari, E. Effect of shark cartilage derived protein on the NK cells activity. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. 2011;33(3):403-409. PubMed
  8. Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick DD, and et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) in patients with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. Amer Soc Clin Oncol 1998;17:A240.
  9. Milner M. A guide to the use of shark cartilage in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases. Amer Chiropractor 1999;21:40-42.
  10. Rosenbluth, RJ, Jennis, AA, Cantwell, S, and et al. Oral shark cartilage in the treatment of patients with advanced primary brain tumors. A phase II pilot study (meeting abstract). Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol 1999;18:A554.
  11. Saad F, Klotz L, Babaian R, Lacombe L, Champagne P, and Dupont E. Phase I/II trial on AE-941 (Neovastat) in patients with metastatic refractory prostate cancer (abstract presentation). Canadian Urological Association Annual Meeting (June 24-27, 2001).
  12. Merly L, Smith SL. Pro-inflammatory properties of shark cartilage supplement. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2015;37(2):140-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Shark Cartilage 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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