Mucuna pruriens

Cowhage/Drug Interactions:

  • AnticholinergicsAnticholinergics: Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may interact with anticholinergics (4).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on an in vitro study, the leaves of Mucuna pruriens may dose-dependently prolong blood clotting (9).
  • Antidepressant agents, dopamine reuptake inhibitorsAntidepressant agents, dopamine reuptake inhibitors: Based on a clinical study in Parkinson's disease patients, cowhage may increase serum levodopa concentrations (4).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: Based on ethnopharmacologic study, use cautiously in patients taking diabetes medications due to the potential for additive effects (10).
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may cause high blood pressure when taken with MAO inhibitors (6).
  • Antiparkinsonian agentsAntiparkinsonian agents: Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may interact with Parkinson's disease treatments (4).
  • Antipsychotic agentsAntipsychotic agents: In a case report, cowhage caused an outbreak of acute toxic psychosis (14).
  • DopamineDopamine: Based on a clinical study in Parkinson's disease patients, cowhage may increase serum levodopa concentrations (4).
  • Dopamine agonistsDopamine agonists: Based on a clinical study in Parkinson's disease patients, cowhage may increase serum levodopa concentrations (4).
  • Dopamine antagonistsDopamine antagonists: Based on a clinical study in Parkinson's disease patients, cowhage may increase serum levodopa concentrations (4).
  • LevodopaLevodopa: Based on a clinical study in Parkinson's disease patients, cowhage may increase serum levodopa concentrations (4).

    • Cowhage/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anticholinergic herbsAnticholinergic herbs: Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may interact with anticholinergics (4).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on an in vitro study, the leaves of Mucuna pruriens may dose-dependently prolong blood clotting (9).
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may cause high blood pressure when taken with MAO inhibitors (6).
  • AntipsychoticsAntipsychotics: In a case report, cowhage caused an outbreak of acute toxic psychosis (14).
  • Ayahuasca(Banisteriopsiscaapi)Ayahuasca(Banisteriopsiscaapi): Banisteriopsiscaapi is a known MAO inhibitor; cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may cause high blood pressure when taken with MAO inhibitors (6).
  • Ergot(Claviceps purpura)Ergot(Claviceps purpura): Claviceps purpura has known dopamine agonist activity; cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which is a precursor to dopamine (6).
  • Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)Jimson weed (Datura stramonium): Datura stramonium is a known anticholinergic; cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may interact with anticholinergics (6).
  • Fava beans (Vicia faba)Fava beans (Vicia faba): Vicia faba contains levodopa, as do cowhage seeds (6).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Based on ethnopharmacologic study, use cautiously in patients taking agents that may alter blood glucose or insulin due to the potential for additive effects (10).

    • Cowhage/Food Interactions:

  • Fava beans (Vicia faba)Fava beans (Vicia faba): Vicia faba contains levodopa, as do cowhage seeds (6).
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Cowhage seeds contain levodopa, which may cause high blood pressure when taken with MAO inhibitors (6).

    • Cowhage/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Based on an in vitro study, the leaves of Mucuna pruriens may dose-dependently prolong blood clotting (9).
  • Glucose levelsGlucose levels: Cowhage may alter glucose levels (10).
  • Prolactin levelsProlactin levels: Two early studies indicate that cowhage may inhibit prolactin secretion (15; 12).