Meta Information
ID:mucuna-pruriens
Name:Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA)
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-07-02T07:03:07Z
Model
phase-b-newfiles-claude-opus-4.8
Interactions
Target id:
/class/maois
Target name:
MAO inhibitors
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Mucuna contains L-DOPA; combined with an MAO inhibitor this can cause a hypertensive crisis.
Actionable advice:
Mucuna should not be combined with MAO inhibitors; non-selective MAOIs should be separated by at least 2 weeks.
Validation status:
validated_via_class_inference
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
class_inference_summary
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Established mechanism / class pharmacology (no single primary source quoted)
Exact phrase from label:
Mucuna is L-DOPA-rich; L-DOPA with MAO inhibitors risks hypertensive crisis (established levodopa interaction).
Label source:
Class inference
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/class/antipsychotics
Target name:
Antipsychotics / dopamine antagonists
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Dopamine-blocking antipsychotics oppose the dopaminergic effect of mucuna's L-DOPA (and mucuna may worsen the condition treated).
Actionable advice:
These should not be combined; if both are needed, this must be managed by the prescriber.
Validation status:
validated_via_class_inference
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
class_inference_summary
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Established mechanism / class pharmacology (no single primary source quoted)
Exact phrase from label:
Dopamine-receptor antagonists antagonize L-DOPA's effect; mutual interference (established levodopa interaction).
Label source:
Class inference
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/intervention/iron-supplements
Target name:
Iron supplements
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Iron forms chelates with L-DOPA and reduces its absorption and effect.
Actionable advice:
Mucuna and iron supplements should be separated by at least 2 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Iron salts can form chelates with levodopa and carbidopa and consequently reduce the bioavailability of carbidopa and levodopa.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/dietary/high-protein-meal
Target name:
High-protein meals
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Dietary amino acids compete with L-DOPA for absorption, reducing its effect if taken with a high-protein meal.
Actionable advice:
Mucuna is generally best taken away from high-protein meals for a more reliable effect.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Since levodopa competes with certain amino acids for transport across the gut wall, the absorption of levodopa may be impaired in some patients on a high protein diet.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-b6
Target name:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
High-dose B6 speeds peripheral breakdown of L-DOPA; because mucuna contains NO carbidopa (unlike Sinemet), B6 can meaningfully reduce its effect.
Actionable advice:
B6 is best kept near the RDA, or separated from mucuna; note mucuna lacks the carbidopa that normally blocks this effect.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), in oral doses of 10 mg to 25 mg, may reverse the effects of levodopa by increasing the rate of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive drugs
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
L-DOPA can lower blood pressure, adding to antihypertensives and risking dizziness or fainting.
Actionable advice:
It is worth watching out for lightheadedness on standing, and blood-pressure medication may need adjustment.
Validation status:
validated_via_class_inference
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
class_inference_summary
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Established mechanism / class pharmacology (no single primary source quoted)
Exact phrase from label:
L-DOPA causes orthostatic hypotension; additive with antihypertensives (established levodopa effect).
Label source:
Class inference
Action type:
monitor