Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by NOW
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols 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 Plant Sterols is a dietary supplement by NOW with 3 active ingredients. 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 Plant Sterols by NOW
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 3 active ingredients: beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol—all plant sterols that occur naturally in seeds, nuts, oils, and grains. Together they're often called phytosterols.
The capsules also contain inactive ingredients (cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica) used as fillers and binders.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Beta-sitosterol is likely effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), which is what most people take plant sterols for. It's also possibly effective for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
The evidence isn't there yet for the other plant sterols in this formula—we simply hold no effectiveness data for campesterol or stigmasterol on their own.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Beta-sitosterol is generally well tolerated when taken short-term. The most common side effects are digestive: constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and nausea.
A small number of people have reported loss of appetite. There's also a single case report of acute pancreatitis in someone who started it, though symptoms didn't return when he stopped.
Beta-sitosterol may worsen acne in some people. During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, so it's best to avoid it.
The same goes for breastfeeding—the data just isn't there to know either way. Talk it over with your doctor or midwife if you're pregnant or nursing and considering this product.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredient we could check. However, we hold no interaction data for campesterol or stigmasterol, so run your exact medications through the checker on this page or confirm with your 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.
If you're dealing with an enlarged prostate or want to support your cholesterol levels, beta-sitosterol has solid evidence behind it. Most people tolerate it well, though digestive side effects can happen.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 23, 2011.
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 Plant Sterols, straight from the product label.
| Brand | NOW |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 733739030672 |
| Net contents | 200 Vcap(s)(R) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Dec 23, 2011 |
| DSLD ID | 2798 |
| Product type | Fat/fatty Acid |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Approved Health, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegan, Vegetarian, 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 Plant Sterols by NOW, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-Sitosterol | 392 mg | -- |
| Campesterol | 200 mg | -- |
| CardioAid Plant Sterols (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement) | 800 mg | -- |
| Stigmasterol | 144 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica
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.
FDA Statement of Identity
A Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
SUGGESTED USAGE: As a dietary supplement, take 2 Vcaps(R) 3 times daily with meals. Consider taking this product in combination with NOW(R) Sytrinol(R), Flush-Free Niacin and Pantethine.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Please Recycle.
General Statements
ACTUAL SIZE
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Provides Cholesterol Lowering Benefits*†
General
CODE 3067 V1
Precautions
Caution: Pregnant/lactating women or those taking prescription medications should seek the advice of a health care practitioner before using this product.
Contains soy derivative.
Do Not Eat Freshness Packet. Keep in Bottle.
Brand IP Statement(s)
† Foods containing at least 400 mg per serving of plant sterols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 800 mg, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of NOW(R) Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols Vcaps(R) supplies 800 mg of plant sterols.
CardioAid(R) is a registered trademark of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company; The CardioAid(TM) logo is a trademark of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company.
CardioAid(R) Plant Sterols is a unique dietary supplement rich in the plant sterols Beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol. Scientific studies have shown that plant sterols can help lower cholesterol levels*†
Vcaps(R) is a registered trademark of Capsugel.
with CardioAid(TM) plant sterols
Formulation
Vegetarian Formula
Vegetarian/Vegan Product.
Contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.
Seals/Symbols
QUALITY GMP ASSURED
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols by NOW 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 Plant Sterols by NOW
These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 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.
CardioAid Plant Sterols (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement)
- › Beta-Sitosterol
- › Campesterol
- › Stigmasterol
Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols by NOW Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols. 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 Plant Sterols, from the product label.
NOW
See all NOW products- Name
- NOW FOODS
- Street Address
- 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
- City
- Bloomingdale
- State
- IL
- ZipCode
- 60108
- Web Address
- www.nowfoods.com
Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols by NOW: Common Questions
Does Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols by NOW interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What exactly are plant sterols, and why would I take them?
Is this safe to take long-term?
What side effects should I watch for?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does this actually work for an enlarged prostate?
Will this lower my cholesterol?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Beta-Sitosterol Plant Sterols 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 Plant Sterols’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 Plant Sterols'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