Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Asparagus Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Asparagus Extract is a dietary supplement by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for mild fluid retention (diuretic), urinary tract support, digestive health and fiber.Based on those ingredients, 76 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Asparagus extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas

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

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: asparagus extract and asparagus. The extract is concentrated, which is important because asparagus as a food is generally well tolerated, but medicinal extracts haven't been studied as thoroughly.

The inactive ingredients include maltodextrin, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica—these are fillers and binders that help form the capsule.

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 Asparagus product and its label doesn't state a use — see Asparagus'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 isn't established in our data for what this product is used for. Asparagus extract carries insufficient evidence for acne, cancer, constipation, high blood pressure, intestinal parasites, and kidney stones.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work—it means the research backing those uses isn't strong enough yet to rate them.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Asparagus

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.

Asparagus as a food is generally well tolerated in most people, but this is a concentrated extract, and medicinal amounts haven't been proven safe. You should know that allergic reactions are possible, especially if you're sensitive to other plants in the lily family (onions, garlic, leeks, chives).

Reactions can include itchy eyes, runny nose, cough, hives, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and in rare cases anaphylaxis. A combination product containing asparagus caused digestive complaints—constipation, bloating, nausea, dry mouth, and gallbladder issues—in up to 50% of study participants, though it's unclear which ingredient was responsible.

A small number also developed gout.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Asparagus

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 — Asparagus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 76 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 with your pharmacist before taking this if you're on lithium or a diuretic drug—both interactions are Moderate severity. These are the two medication types with documented interactions in our data.

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. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take lithium or a diuretic (water pill), talk with your pharmacist before starting this. If you have a known sensitivity to asparagus or related plants, skip it.

Because medicinal extract safety is less established than whole food, it's worth having that conversation with your pharmacist or doctor.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2018.

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 Asparagus Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson GreenFoods Formulas
Barcode (UPC) 087614060521
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2018
DSLD ID 177776
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614060521
IngredientAmount% DV
Asparagus extract170 mg--
Asparagus100 mg--

Other ingredients: Maltodextrin, Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, 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.
General Statements

Phytonutrient-rich green foods

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

FDA Statement of Identity

Standardized Herbal Supplement

Formulation

V Vegetarian Formula

Seals/Symbols

V Vegetarian Formula Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant, nursing or have kidney disease.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule two times per day with water.

General

SWR052 Rev 0 10 23 17

See for yourself

Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Asparagus extract

Interacts with
76 drugs
170 mg per serving

Asparagus is a nutritious vegetable that is safe and healthy to eat as part of a normal diet. Most of its claimed medicinal benefits, such as use as a...

Asparagus extract monograph & interactions

Asparagus

Interacts with
76 drugs
100 mg per serving

Asparagus is a nutritious vegetable that is safe and healthy to eat as part of a normal diet. Most of its claimed medicinal benefits, such as use as a...

Asparagus monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Maltodextrin, Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Asparagus Extract?

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
76Drugs
76 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Asparagus Extract 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.

Asparagus extract2 drug types · 76 drugs

Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, asparagus root might increase diuresis and electrolyte loss when used with diuretic drugs.
Animal studies show that asparagus root extracts have diuretic effects. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, asparagus root might cause diuresis, reducing lithium clearance.
Animal studies show that asparagus root extracts have diuretic effects. Theoretically, this might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Asparagus Extract, from the product label.

Swanson GreenFoods Formulas

See all Swanson GreenFoods Formulas products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas: Common Questions

Does Asparagus Extract by Swanson GreenFoods Formulas interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Asparagus Extract has a known interaction with 76 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Asparagus Extract contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Is asparagus extract safe in pregnancy?
The data shows conflicting ratings—it's listed as both Likely Safe and Possibly Unsafe for pregnancy. Because the evidence is unclear, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it during pregnancy; they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
What about breastfeeding?
Asparagus is rated Likely Safe during lactation based on the data we have.
Can I get allergic reactions from this?
Yes. Allergic reactions are possible, especially if you're sensitive to asparagus or other plants in the lily family like onions, garlic, leeks, or chives. Reactions can range from itchy eyes and runny nose to hives, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, or in rare cases anaphylaxis.
What's the difference between eating asparagus and taking this extract?
Asparagus as a food is safe and well tolerated for most people. This product is a concentrated medicinal extract, which hasn't been studied as thoroughly, so there's more caution advised with larger doses.
Will this help with [acne/constipation/high blood pressure]?
The evidence for those uses isn't strong enough to rate in our data. You'd want to talk with your doctor about whether it makes sense for your specific situation.
What side effects should I watch for?
The main concerns are allergic reactions. A combination product containing asparagus also caused digestive upset—constipation, bloating, nausea, and gallbladder complaints—in some people, though it's not clear if asparagus alone was responsible.

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

Not sure if Asparagus Extract is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Asparagus Extract label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Asparagus Extract'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 14 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.

Asparagus 14 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  3. Volz T, Berner D, Weigert C, et al. Fixed food eruption caused by asparagus. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005;116:1390-2. PubMed
  4. Huang X, Kong L. Steroidal saponins from roots of Asparagus officinalis. Steroids 2006;71:171-6. PubMed
  5. Rodriguez R, Jaramillo S, Rodriguez G, et al. Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts from several asparagus cultivars. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53:5212-7. PubMed
  6. Rieker J, Ruzicka T, Neumann NJ, Homey B. Protein contact dermatitis to asparagus. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;113:354-5. PubMed
  7. Tabar AI, Alvarez-Puebla MJ, Gomez B, et al. Diversity of asparagus allergy: clinical and immunological features. Clin Exp Allergy 2004;34:131-6. PubMed
  8. Rademaker M, Yung A. Contact dermatitis to Asparagus officinalis. Australas J Dermatol 2000;41:262-3.
  9. Misico, R. I., Nicotra, V. E., Oberti, J. C., Barboza, G., Gil, R. R., and Burton, G. Withanolides and related steroids. Prog.Chem.Org.Nat.Prod. 2011;94:127-229.
  10. Hausen BM, Wolf C. 1,2,3-Trithiane-5-carboxylic acid, a first contact allergen from Asparagus officinalis (Liliaceae). Am J Contact Dermat 1996;7(1):41-46. PubMed
  11. Escribano MM, Munoz-Bellido FJ, Serrano P, et al. Acute urticaria after ingestion of asparagus. Allergy 1998;53(6):622-623. PubMed
  12. Chrubasik S, Droste C, Black A. Asparagus P(R) cannot compete with first-line diuretics in lowering the blood pressure in treatment-requiring antihypertensives. Phytother Res 2009;23:1345-6.
  13. Gaus BM, Scheiba N, Schäkel K. Asparagus-induced fixed food eruptions mimicking cutaneous lupus. Acta Derm Venereol 2014;94:731-2. PubMed
  14. Yanagi T, Shimizu H, Shimizu T. Occupational contact dermatitis caused by asparagus. Contact Dermatitis 2010;63:54. PubMed

See these in context on the Asparagus 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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