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Dietary supplement

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by HBC Protocols

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
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 Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg 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

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg is a dietary supplement by HBC Protocols with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, low mood, mental focus and cognition.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 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 Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols

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 10, 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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: a Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract at 25 mg per capsule. Sceletium is a plant traditionally used in herbal practice, though what exactly it does in the body isn't yet well understood.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients: rice powder, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and maltodextrin. These are fillers and binders that hold the capsule together.

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: mood and anxiety support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Low mood, Mood enhancement.
  • The closest evidence on file: Sceletium is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Sceletium is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Depression, Stress.

The evidence for sceletium isn't established for any of the conditions listed on this product: anxiety, depression, stress, alcohol use disorder, athletic performance, and obesity all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence. That means the data we hold isn't strong enough to say whether it works for these purposes.

If you're considering it for one of these reasons, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence (or lack of it) fits your needs.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sceletium

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.

Sceletium appears generally well tolerated in small studies, but we don't have long-term safety data yet. The most common side effects reported in trials were anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, and nausea when taken by mouth.

There are also anecdotal reports of it causing depression and listlessness, as well as euphoric effects at higher doses, and one report of raised blood pressure. The safety data don't support use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, avoid this product and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sceletium

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 — Sceletium.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 248 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.

Check before starting if you take any CNS depressants—sedating medications like sleeping pills, anxiety medications, opioids, muscle relaxers, or antihistamines. Combining them with sceletium might intensify drowsiness or sedation.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether it's safe to pair with what you're already taking.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

Sceletium Tortuosum might appeal to someone exploring herbal approaches to mood or anxiety, but the evidence for its effectiveness isn't solid yet. The main caution is if you take any sedating medication—check first with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are off the table due to insufficient safety data.

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 Jun 23, 2017.

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 Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand HBC Protocols
Barcode (UPC) 678940750257
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 23, 2017
DSLD ID 74983
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols, 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
678940750257
IngredientAmount% DV
Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract25 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice powder, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Maltodextrin

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

Contains no sugar, starch, yeast, artificial colors, preservatives or dairy products.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children.

Not to be taken by pregnant women or those using MAO inhibitors.

People taking psychiatric, anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication should discuss the concomitant use of Zembrin-containing products with their healthcare professional.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Dosage: Minimum one capsule per day.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Scelevtium tortuosum (Zembrin) has been demonstrated to be clinically effective in human studies at a dosage of 25 mgs per day. Zembrin has a self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status.

Zembrin is the exclusive trademark of HG&G Pharmaceuticals (pry) Ltd.

General Statements

South African san council

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.

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

See for yourself

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols label

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

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg 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 Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols

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.

Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract

Interacts with
248 drugs
25 mg per serving

Sceletium (often sold as 'kanna') is a South African plant traditionally used to ease stress and lift mood. Early human studies are small and short, s...

Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice powder, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Maltodextrin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg?

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
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg interact with 248 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg 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.

Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract1 drug type · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of sceletium and CNS depressants might result in additive sedative effects.
Some evidence suggests that sceletium has sedative properties.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum 2.1 extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg, from the product label.

HBC Protocols

See all HBC Protocols products
Name
HBC Protocols, Inc.
Street Address
255 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1916
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
ZipCode
90012
Phone Number
888.497.3742
Web Address
www.hbcprotocols.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols: Common Questions

Does Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg by HBC Protocols interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg 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 Zembrin Sceletium tortuosum extract?
Zembrin is a trademarked extract from the sceletium plant. Sceletium has been used traditionally in herbal practice, though its exact effects in the body aren't fully understood yet.
Does this product actually work for anxiety or depression?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say. Both anxiety and depression are listed as insufficient reliable evidence to rate. If you're thinking about it for either of those, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current research actually shows.
What are the most common side effects?
In trials, people reported anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, and nausea when taking sceletium by mouth. There are also anecdotal reports of depression, listlessness, and euphoric effects at higher doses.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data don't support it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're in either situation, skip this product and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about safer options.
Can I take this if I'm on a sleep medication?
Not without checking first. Sceletium appears to have sedative properties, and mixing it with sedating medications might intensify drowsiness. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.

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

Not sure if Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg 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.

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Sceletium

Interacts with 248 drugs

Sceletium (often sold as 'kanna') is a South African plant traditionally used to ease stress and lift mood. Early human studies are small and short, so its benefits are not well proven. Talk...

Read the full Sceletium monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sceletium Tortuosum 25 mg'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 3 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.

Sceletium 3 references
  1. Smith MT, Crouch NR, Gericke N, Hirst M. Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;50:119-30. PubMed
  2. Meyer GMJ, Wink CSD, Zapp J, Maurer HH. GC-MS, LC-MS(n), LC-high resolution-MS(n), and NMR studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of mesembrine and mesembrenone, the main alkaloids of the legal high "Kanna" isolated from Sceletium tortuosum
  3. Gericke J, Lekhooa M, Steyn SF, Viljoen AM, Harvey BH. An acute dose-ranging evaluation of the antidepressant properties of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) versus escitalopram in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022 Feb 10;284:114550. do PubMed

See these in context on the Sceletium 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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