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Dietary supplement

Alfalfa 550 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Martin Avenue Pharmacy

Alfalfa 550 mg label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Alfalfa 550 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: Major

Alfalfa 550 mg is a dietary supplement by Martin Avenue Pharmacy with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, digestive complaints, menopausal symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 583 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy

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 Jul 16, 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: alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder at 550 mg per tablet. Alfalfa is the whole dried leaf of the plant, used traditionally in herbal practice.

The tablet also includes several inactive ingredients — magnesium stearate, cellulose, vegetable stearin, dicalcium phosphate, and silica — which are standard fillers and binders that help form and preserve the tablet.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Alfalfa product and its label doesn't state a use — see Alfalfa's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for alfalfa is not yet established in our data. The product facts note insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for blood sugar control, indigestion, high cholesterol, or menopausal symptoms.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the research so far hasn't been robust enough to confirm one way or the other. If you're considering it for any of these reasons, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current evidence actually supports.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa

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.

Alfalfa is generally well tolerated in food amounts, but supplement doses carry real risks for some people. The most common side effects in clinical reports are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, flatulence, and increased stool volume — especially in the first week.

Rare but serious adverse effects include a lupus-like syndrome after long-term use and dermatitis (skin inflammation) in some individuals. Because alfalfa has estrogen-like activity, the safety data advises against it in supplement amounts during pregnancy and cautions against use while breastfeeding due to insufficient reliable safety data.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Alfalfa.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 583 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 this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these: warfarin or other blood thinners (Major risk), birth control pills or hormone therapy, diabetes medications, immunosuppressants, or drugs that increase sun sensitivity. No interactions are documented for the inactive ingredients we hold data on.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Alfalfa may be worth considering if you've discussed it with your doctor and ruled out interactions with your medications — especially warfarin, birth control, hormone therapy, diabetes drugs, or immunosuppressants. Most people tolerate it without serious problems, though digestive side effects in the first week are common.

Before you start, check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist, and talk about whether this supplement fits your health picture.

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 Feb 25, 2013.

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 Alfalfa 550 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Martin Avenue Pharmacy
Net contents 250 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2013
DSLD ID 18752
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder550 mg--

Other ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, Vegetable Stearin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica

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 Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Our Alfalfa is carefully selected and dried to preserve its naturally occurring constituents. QUALITY AND POTENCY GUARANTEED

"We Make It Better..."

Formulation

Contains No Added sugar, salt, dairy, yeast, wheat, corn, soy, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults take one (1) tablet, four (4) to six (6) times daily with meals, or as directed by a health care professional.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

General

#10005

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

See for yourself

Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy label

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

Alfalfa 550 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 Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder

Interacts with
583 drugs
550 mg per serving

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that people use for high cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and general wellness, but solid human evidence for most of...

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, Vegetable Stearin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Alfalfa 550 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
583Drugs
2 Major 581 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder 583

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Alfalfa 550 mg interact with 583 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Alfalfa 550 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Alfalfa 550 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.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder6 drug types · 583 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, alfalfa might reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
Alfalfa contains a large amount of vitamin K. This could theoretically interfere with the activity of warfarin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that alfalfa decreases blood sugar in diabetic mice. Also, in one case report, a diabetic patient experienced hypoglycemia after consuming alfalfa extract. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with the activity of contraceptive drugs.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with hormone therapy.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, alfalfa might decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro research and human case reports suggest that alfalfa may have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of alfalfa with photosensitizing drugs might have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that excessive doses of alfalfa may increase photosensitivity, possibly due to its chlorophyll content. It is unclear if this effect would be clinically relevant in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Alfalfa 550 mg, from the product label.

Martin Avenue Pharmacy

See all Martin Avenue Pharmacy products
Name
Martin Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.
City
Naperville
State
IL
ZipCode
60540
Phone Number
(630) 355-6400
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy: Common Questions

Does Alfalfa 550 mg by Martin Avenue Pharmacy interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Alfalfa 550 mg has a known interaction with 583 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Alfalfa 550 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.
Will alfalfa affect how my birth control works?
Alfalfa contains plant compounds with estrogenic (hormone-like) effects that theoretically could interfere with oral contraceptives. The data is based on theory and lab work, not large human trials, but it's real enough that you should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use hormonal birth control.
Can I take alfalfa if I'm on a diabetes medication?
Animal studies and one case report suggest alfalfa may lower blood sugar. If you take diabetes medication, there's a moderate-level risk of your blood sugar dropping too low. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this, and if you do take it together, monitor your glucose closely.
What side effects should I expect?
The most common ones are digestive: abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, gas, and increased stool frequency — especially in the first week. A small number of people have reported dermatitis (skin inflammation) or, rarely, a lupus-like syndrome after prolonged use.
Is alfalfa safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against alfalfa in supplement amounts during pregnancy because it has estrogen-like activity. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable safety data to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing.
Does alfalfa actually help with high cholesterol or blood sugar?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate alfalfa for blood sugar, high cholesterol, indigestion, or menopausal symptoms. That means research hasn't yet confirmed whether it works for these uses — talk with your doctor about what the current science actually supports.
Does this product contain any fillers or binders?
Yes, it includes magnesium stearate, cellulose, vegetable stearin, dicalcium phosphate, and silica — standard inactive ingredients used to form and preserve the tablet.

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

Not sure if Alfalfa 550 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.

Alfalfa 550 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Alfalfa 550 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Alfalfa

Interacts with 583 drugs

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that people use for high cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and general wellness, but solid human evidence for most of these uses is limited. It is best avoid...

Read the full Alfalfa monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Alfalfa 550 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 32 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.

Alfalfa 32 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Kurzer MS, Xu X. Dietary phytoestrogens. Annu Rev Nutr 1997;17:353-81. PubMed
  5. Farber JM, Carter AO, Varughese PV, et al. Listeriosis traced to the consumption of alfalfa tablets and soft cheese [Letter to the Editor]. N Engl J Med 1990;322:338. PubMed
  6. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173-9. PubMed
  7. Light TD, Light JA. Acute renal transplant rejection possibly related to herbal medications. Am J Transplant 2003;3:1608-9. PubMed
  8. Prete PE. The mechanism of action of L-canavanine in inducing autoimmune phenomena. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:1198-200. PubMed
  9. Alcocer-Varela J, Iglesias A, Llorente L, Alarcon-Segovia D. Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:52-7. PubMed
  10. Roberts JL, Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated with alfalfa ingestion. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1361. DOI
  11. Feingold, R. M. Should we fear "health foods"? Arch Intern Med 7-12-1999;159(13):1502. PubMed
  12. Taormina, P. J., Beuchat, L. R., and Slutsker, L. Infections associated with eating seed sprouts: an international concern. Emerg.Infect.Dis 1999;5(5):626-634. PubMed
  13. Backer, H. D., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Werner, S. B., Abbott, S. L., Farrar, J., and Vugia, D. J. High incidence of extra-intestinal infections in a Salmonella Havana outbreak associated with alfalfa sprouts. Public Health Rep. 2000;115(4):339-345. PubMed
  14. Mohle-Boetani J, Werner B, Polumbo M, and et al. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alfalfa sprouts-- Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico, February-April, 2001. JAMA 2-6-2002;287(5):581-582.
  15. Howard, M. B. and Hutcheson, S. W. Growth dynamics of Salmonella enterica strains on alfalfa sprouts and in waste seed irrigation water. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 2003;69(1):548-553.
  16. Winthrop, K. L., Palumbo, M. S., Farrar, J. A., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Abbott, S., Beatty, M. E., Inami, G., and Werner, S. B. Alfalfa sprouts and Salmonella Kottbus infection: a multistate outbreak following inadequate seed disinfection with heat and chl
  17. Strapp, C. M., Shearer, A. E., and Joerger, R. D. Survey of retail alfalfa sprouts and mushrooms for the presence of Escherichia coil O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria with BAX, and evaluation of this polymerase chain reaction-based system with experimen
  18. Akaogi, J., Barker, T., Kuroda, Y., Nacionales, D. C., Yamasaki, Y., Stevens, B. R., Reeves, W. H., and Satoh, M. Role of non-protein amino acid L-canavanine in autoimmunity. Autoimmun.Rev 2006;5(6):429-435. PubMed
  19. Burden and causes of foodborne disease in Australia: Annual report of the OzFoodNet network, 2005. Commun.Dis Intell. 2006;30(3):278-300.
  20. Shemesh, M., Lindner, H. R., and Ayalon, N. Affinity of rabbit uterine oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestrogens and its use in a competitive protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod.Fertil. 1972;29(1):1-9. PubMed
  21. Elakovich, S. D. and Hampton, J. M. Analysis of coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, in alfalfa tablets sold for human consumption. J Agric.Food Chem. 1984;32(1):173-175. PubMed
  22. Malinow, M. R., Bardana, E. J., Jr., Pirofsky, B., Craig, S., and McLaughlin, P. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts: role of a nonprotein amino acid. Science 4-23-1982;216(4544):415-417. PubMed
  23. Malinow, M. R., McLaughlin, P., and Stafford, C. Alfalfa seeds: effects on cholesterol metabolism. Experientia 5-15-1980;36(5):562-564. PubMed
  24. Farnsworth, N. R. Alfalfa pills and autoimmune diseases. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62(5):1026-1028. DOI
  25. Herbert, V. and Kasdan, T. S. Alfalfa, vitamin E, and autoimmune disorders. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60(4):639-640.
  26. Mahon, B. E., Ponka, A., Hall, W. N., Komatsu, K., Dietrich, S. E., Siitonen, A., Cage, G., Hayes, P. S., Lambert-Fair, M. A., Bean, N. H., Griffin, P. M., and Slutsker, L. An international outbreak of Salmonella infections caused by alfalfa sprouts grow
  27. Gray, A. M. and Flatt, P. R. Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti- diabetic plant, Medicago sativa (lucerne). Br J Nutr. 1997;78(2):325-334.
  28. Van Beneden, C. A., Keene, W. E., Strang, R. A., Werker, D. H., King, A. S., Mahon, B., Hedberg, K., Bell, A., Kelly, M. T., Balan, V. K., Mac Kenzie, W. R., and Fleming, D. Multinational outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections due to
  29. Rubenstein AH, Levin NW, and Elliott GA. Manganese-induced hypoglycemia. Lancet 1962;1348-1351.
  30. Kaufman W. Alfalfa seed dermatitis. JAMA 1954;155(12):1058-1059. PubMed
  31. Ponka A, Andersson Y, Siitonen A, and et al. Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts. Lancet 1995;345:462-463. PubMed
  32. Puschner B, Chen X, Read D, Affolter VK. Alfalfa hay induced primary photosensitization in horses. Vet J. 2016 May;211:32-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Alfalfa 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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