Safety check
Horny Goat Weed Side Effects: Who Should Skip It?
Horny goat weed side effects, from the MSK review of epimedium, include sweating or feeling hot at high doses, a rapid irregular heartbeat, more energy and mood changes. People with heart disease should avoid it. Its safety has not been settled, so ask a clinician before using it, especially with other medicines.
Written by the Protoflow label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Effects01
What are the side effects of horny goat weed?
The ones reported are sweating, a hot feeling, a rapid irregular heartbeat, higher energy and mood changes (MSK, Epimedium).
Epimedium is commonly called horny goat weed. MSK notes one case report of a fast, irregular heartbeat with a manic mood in a man with heart failure (MSK, Epimedium). Case reports prove little, but they are warnings worth reading.
Who should be careful02
Who should avoid horny goat weed?
Anyone with heart disease, plus people with hormone-sensitive cancers or on certain medicines.
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Avoid |
| Hormone-sensitive cancer | Use caution |
| Aromatase inhibitor | Icariin may reduce its effect; relevance unknown |
| Prolonged use | May induce CYP3A4 and change some drugs |
In capsules03
Does the amount of horny goat weed in a capsule matter?
Yes, and so does what sits beside it.
The Protoflow label has 250 mg of epimedium per 2 capsules, next to hawthorn, ginkgo and ginseng (Protoflow bottle label). Hawthorn can add to blood pressure drugs (MSK, Hawthorn) and ginkgo to blood thinners (NCCIH, Ginkgo). No safety study covers the mix.
FDA has found undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil in products sold for male sexual performance (FDA, Alpha-Male public notification). That is a reason to buy only from sellers who print full labels.
Protoflow: from $49 a bottle60 capsules · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day guarantee
See packsIf it happens04
What should you do if horny goat weed makes you feel unwell?
Stop it and call your clinician, and call 911 for chest pain or fainting.
- Palpitations or racing heart: stop and get checked
- Painful erection lasting hours: seek urgent care (MedlinePlus, Tadalafil)
- Keep taking prescribed medicine
For the benefit side, read epimedium benefits and the Protoflow side effects page.
FAQ05
Horny goat weed safety questions
Can horny goat weed cause a racing heart?
A rapid irregular heartbeat appears in the MSK review, including a case in a man with heart failure (MSK, Epimedium). Stop it and get checked if it happens.
Does horny goat weed interact with Cialis?
Our sources do not test the pair. Tadalafil has nitrate and alpha-blocker warnings (MedlinePlus, Tadalafil), so ask a pharmacist first.
Why would horny goat weed make me sweat?
Sweating or feeling hot at high doses is a listed effect (MSK, Epimedium).
Is horny goat weed safe for years of use?
Its safety is still to be determined, and prolonged use may alter drug metabolism (MSK, Epimedium).
Does horny goat weed raise blood pressure?
The MSK review lists heart rhythm effects, not blood pressure. Ask your doctor if you take blood pressure medicine.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand pages and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, NICE and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized Protoflow retailer, not by the manufacturer or distributor, PhytoThrive Labs. We make money when you buy through our order links.
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