Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Swanson
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength 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
Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, enlarged prostate (bph), heart health.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol (a naturally occurring compound found in plants). Beta-sitosterol is thought to support heart and prostate health by helping manage cholesterol levels and urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.
The softgels also contain gelatin, glycerin, and purified water as inactive ingredients to form and fill the capsule.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
The evidence we hold shows beta-sitosterol is likely effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate that causes urinary symptoms) and possibly effective for familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited high-cholesterol condition) and coronary heart disease when it comes to cholesterol and heart health. If you're considering it for prostate or cholesterol support, the strongest case is for prostate symptoms; the heart and cholesterol data is less conclusive.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Beta-sitosterol is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short-term. The most common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, nausea, and reduced appetite.
In rare cases, it may worsen acne, and there is one case report of acute pancreatitis linked to its use, though symptoms stopped when the person quit taking it. There isn't enough safety data for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so the safety data advises against supplemental use at those times — talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for beta-sitosterol. That said, check your exact medications with the search tool on this page and confirm the all-clear with your own doctor or pharmacist before you start.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
Beta-sitosterol is a solid choice if you're looking for plant-based support for an enlarged prostate or want to explore cholesterol management naturally. It's generally well tolerated, though digestive side effects do happen.
Confirm with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take heart or cholesterol medications, and avoid it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
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 Jun 16, 2022.
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
General information
Key facts about Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Swanson |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 087614017907 |
| Net contents | 60 Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jun 16, 2022 |
| DSLD ID | 265056 |
| Product type | Fat/fatty Acid |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-Sitosterol | 160 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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
swanson.com or call 1-800-437-4148
Science-Backed Quality Since 1969
Formulation
Provides support for overall cardiovascular health Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels Supports immune health
Cardiovascular Health
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel two times per day with food and water or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Precautions
Warning: For adults only.
Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal is broken.
Contains soy.
Brand IP Statement(s)
Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.
Beta-Sitosterol
No knowninteractions
Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that may modestly lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol and may help ease urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate. Eviden...
Beta-Sitosterol monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength, from the product label.
Swanson
See all Swanson products- Name
- Swanson Health Products
- City
- Fargo
- State
- ND
- ZipCode
- 58104
- Phone Number
- 1-800-437-4148
- Web Address
- swanson.com
Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson: Common Questions
Does Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength by Swanson interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Will beta-sitosterol upset my stomach?
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does beta-sitosterol really help with an enlarged prostate?
Will it help my cholesterol?
Does this product have any fillers or inactive ingredients?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Beta-Sitosterol Maximum Strength'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 7 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.
Beta-sitosterol 7 references
- Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet 1995;345:1529-32.
- Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Urol 1997;80:427-32.
- Wilt TJ, MacDonald R, Ishani A. beta-sitosterol for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. BJU Int 1999;83:976-83. PubMed
- Oster P, Schlierf G, Heuck CC, et al. [Sitosterol in familial hyperlipoproteinemia type II. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1976;101:1308-11.
- Becker M, Staab D, Von Bergman K. Long-term treatment of severe familial hypercholesterolemia in children: effect of sitosterol and bezafibrate. Pediatrics 1992;89:138-42. DOI
- Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med 2002
- Lorenze A, Hsueh W, Nasr J. Beta-sitosterol-induced acute pancreatitis: A case report and review of the literature. Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7407. PubMed
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