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Dietary supplement

Cactus 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Clark Store

Cactus 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Cactus 500 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: Moderate

Cactus 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Dr. Clark Store with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar control, high cholesterol, hangover symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Prickly Pear Cactus. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store

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: prickly pear cactus at 500 mg per capsule. The capsule itself is made from gelatin.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Promotes healthy blood sugar levels.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, Glycemic control, Insulin sensitivity.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Prickly Pear Cactus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Prickly Pear Cactus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Metabolic syndrome.

Prickly pear cactus is rated possibly effective for diabetes. For age-related cognitive decline, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), indigestion, and high cholesterol — whether familial or general — the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Prickly Pear Cactus

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.

Prickly pear cactus is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, though supplement safety is less studied. The most common side effects are abdominal fullness, indigestion, mild diarrhea, and nausea.

Rare reports include headache, insomnia, and dizziness; in one clinical study of 41 patients, a small number experienced these effects. There isn't enough safety data to support supplement-level doses during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Prickly Pear Cactus

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 — Prickly Pear Cactus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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 your diabetes medications before starting this product. Prickly pear cactus can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when combined with antidiabetes drugs like metformin, glyburide, glipizide, and chlorpropamide.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you have type 2 diabetes and want to try prickly pear cactus, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first — it may lower your blood sugar, which could be helpful but needs monitoring. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid it.

For other uses, the evidence isn't clear enough yet.

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 May 22, 2020.

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 Cactus 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Clark Store
Barcode (UPC) 652384105569
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2020
DSLD ID 219797
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
652384105569
IngredientAmount% DV
Prickly Pear Cactus500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin Capsules

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Adults and children 12 or more years of age, take 1 capsule daily, or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Formulation

Our products don't contain flow agents like magnesium stearate. Not now, not ever.

Promotes healthy blood sugar levels

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA

General Statements

Leader in purity Established by Dr. Clark's family in 1993

Company does not adopt any Dr. Clark claims.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store at room temperature.

Precautions

Keep away from children.

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

If any adverse reactions occur, immediately stop using this product and consult your doctor. If seal under cap is damaged or missing, do not use.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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

See for yourself

Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store label

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

Cactus 500 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 Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 mg per serving

Prickly pear cactus is a desert plant whose pads and fruit are eaten as food and taken as a supplement, mainly for blood sugar, cholesterol, and hango...

Prickly Pear Cactus monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin Capsules. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cactus 500 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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Prickly Pear Cactus 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Cactus 500 mg interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Cactus 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Prickly Pear Cactus

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cactus 500 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.

Prickly Pear Cactus1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Case reports show that combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, glipizide, and metformin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Advise patients to monitor glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments may be necessary.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Prickly Pear Cactus full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cactus 500 mg, from the product label.

Dr. Clark Store

See all Dr. Clark Store products
Name
Self Health Resource Center
Street Address
1055 Bay Blvd., Ste A
City
Chula Vista
State
CA
ZipCode
91911
Phone Number
866-372-5275
Web Address
www.DrClarkStore.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store: Common Questions

Does Cactus 500 mg by Dr. Clark Store interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cactus 500 mg has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Cactus 500 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.
Can I take prickly pear cactus if I'm on a diabetes medication?
Not without checking first. Combining prickly pear cactus with diabetes drugs can raise your risk of low blood sugar. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can help you monitor your levels safely and adjust your dose if needed.
What are the side effects?
Most people experience mild digestive issues: abdominal fullness, indigestion, mild diarrhea, or nausea. Headache, insomnia, and dizziness are rare. Very rarely, the dried cactus can swell in your digestive tract, though this is linked to eating large amounts of whole fruits with seeds.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for supplement doses during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the data advises against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Does prickly pear cactus actually work for diabetes?
It's rated possibly effective for diabetes, meaning there's some evidence it may help. For other conditions on the label — like high cholesterol or prostate health — the evidence isn't clear enough to say whether it works.
Why does this product only have one ingredient?
This formula is a single-ingredient supplement: just prickly pear cactus in a gelatin capsule. It's designed to deliver that one herb at a straightforward dose.

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

Not sure if Cactus 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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.

Cactus 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cactus 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Prickly Pear Cactus

Interacts with 86 drugs

Prickly pear cactus is a desert plant whose pads and fruit are eaten as food and taken as a supplement, mainly for blood sugar, cholesterol, and hangover symptoms. Some small studies suggest...

Read the full Prickly Pear Cactus monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cactus 500 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 9 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.

Prickly Pear Cactus 9 references
  1. Meckes-Lozyoa M, Roman-Ramos R. Opuntia streptacantha; a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 1986;14:116-8.
  2. Rayburn K, Martinez R, Escobedo M, et al. Glycemic effects of various species of nopal (Opuntia sp.) in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Texas J Rural Health 1998;26:68-76.
  3. Bush TM, Rayburn KS, Holloway SW, et al. Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey. Altern Ther Health Med 2007;13:30-5.
  4. Sobieraj DM, Freyer CW. Probable hypoglycemic adverse drug reaction associated with prickly pear cactus, glipizide, and metformin in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:1334-7. PubMed
  5. Kleiner, O., Cohen, Z., and Mares, A. J. Low colonic obstruction due to Opuntia ficus indica seeds: the aftermath of enjoying delicious cactus fruits. Acta Paediatr. 2002;91(5):606-607.
  6. Steinberg, J. M. and Eitan, A. Prickly pear fruit bezoar presenting as rectal perforation in an elderly patient. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2003;18(4):365-367. PubMed
  7. Meckes-Lozyoa, M. and Roman-Ramos, R. Opuntia streptacantha: a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 1986;14(3-4):116-118.
  8. Onakpoya IJ, O'Sullivan J, Heneghan CJ. The effect of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutrition. 2015;31(5):640-6. PubMed
  9. Han EH, Lim MK, Lee S, et al. Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Stems for Improving Cognitive Function in Elderly Subjects 55-85 Years of Age: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Med Food 2020;23(11):11

See these in context on the Prickly Pear Cactus 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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