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Dietary supplement

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sunshine Naturals

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Cascara Sagrada 450 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

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg is a dietary supplement by Sunshine Naturals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, bowel cleansing before procedures, hemorrhoids.Based on those ingredients, 745 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cascara Sagrada. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals

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 11, 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: cascara sagrada, a natural plant extract used as a stimulant laxative to promote bowel movements. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — whey, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — which are fillers, binders, and capsule material.

Does it work?

Insufficient 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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: natural help for chronic constipation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, bowel regularity, digestive comfort.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cascara Sagrada is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation (Natural Medicines).

Cascara sagrada is rated possibly ineffective for bowel preparation. For constipation itself, the evidence isn't strong enough in our data to rate it reliably — we can't say whether it works for that purpose based on the data we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cascara Sagrada

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.

When used short-term and as directed, cascara sagrada is generally well tolerated. The most common side effect is mild belly discomfort and cramping.

However, long-term use carries real risks: it can lead to protein in the urine (albuminuria), blood in the urine (hematuria), and muscle wasting (cachexia). Rarely, fresh or improperly aged cascara bark can cause severe vomiting or liver damage.

Stimulant laxatives like cascara are not recommended during pregnancy. Active compounds may pass into breast milk, so it's best avoided while nursing.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cascara Sagrada

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 — Cascara Sagrada.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 746 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 you start, check if you take water pills or corticosteroids (both increase the risk of low potassium when combined with cascara sagrada). Blood thinners like warfarin need special attention—cascara can boost their effects and increase bleeding risk.

Heart medications like digoxin and any CYP3A4 substrates may also be affected. Run your exact prescriptions through the search tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

Cascara sagrada is a short-term constipation aid, but it's not a long-term solution and carries real risks—especially loss of potassium and interactions with heart and blood-thinning drugs. If you take corticosteroids, water pills, warfarin, digoxin, or other regular medications, check with your pharmacist first.

Don't use it during pregnancy or 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 Aug 22, 2025.

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 Cascara Sagrada 450 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Sunshine Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 789939100745
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 22, 2025
DSLD ID 337445
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
789939100745
IngredientAmount% DV
Cascara Sagrada450 mg--

Other ingredients: Whey, Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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

Directions: Adults, take 1-2 capsules dally as a dietary supplement.

Formula

CASCARA SAGRADA is a tree native to North America, also known as Buckthorn. It is considered natural help for chronic constipation.

Precautions

Warning: Do not take this product if pregnant, nursing, or if you suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea and or nausea.

Do not use for more than 7 consecutive days.

Store in a cool dry place do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

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.

Seals/Symbols

Proudly Made in the USA.

Formulation

Healthy digestion Natural help against constipation

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

General Statements

Recycle Today For Tomorrow

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

See for yourself

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals label

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

Cascara Sagrada 450 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 Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals

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.

Cascara Sagrada

Interacts with
745 drugs
450 mg per serving

Cascara sagrada is a stimulant laxative made from the aged bark of a Pacific Northwest tree, used mainly for short-term relief of constipation. Becaus...

Cascara Sagrada monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Whey, Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cascara Sagrada 450 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
745Drugs
122 Moderate 623 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cascara Sagrada 745

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Cascara Sagrada 450 mg interact with 745 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Cascara Sagrada 450 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cascara Sagrada

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cascara Sagrada 450 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.

Cascara Sagrada6 drug types · 745 drugs

Corticosteroids

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with corticosteroids.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might cause hypokalemia, potentially increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with diuretic drugs.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might have additive adverse effects when taken with stimulant laxatives.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects and might compound fluid and electrolyte losses when taken with stimulant laxatives.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects. In some people, cascara sagrada can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin, increase international normalized ratio (INR), and increase the risk of bleeding.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that cascara sagrada can induce CYP3A4 enzymes, albeit to a much lower degree than rifampin, a known CYP3A4 inducer.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cascara Sagrada full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cascara Sagrada 450 mg, from the product label.

Sunshine Naturals

See all Sunshine Naturals products
Name
American Naturavit Inc.
City
Miami
State
FL
ZipCode
33166
Phone Number
305-593-5417
Web Address
www.sunshinenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals: Common Questions

Does Cascara Sagrada 450 mg by Sunshine Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cascara Sagrada 450 mg has a known interaction with 745 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Cascara Sagrada 450 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 use cascara sagrada if I take a water pill for blood pressure?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Both cascara sagrada and water pills lower potassium, and together they raise the risk of dangerously low potassium levels. Your heart and muscles depend on potassium, so this combination needs professional review.
Is cascara sagrada safe to use long-term?
No. Long-term use carries real risks, including protein and blood in the urine, and muscle wasting. This product is meant for short-term use only. If constipation is ongoing, talk with your doctor about safer options.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild belly discomfort and cramping are the most common when used short-term. Rare but serious effects include liver damage and severe vomiting, especially if the bark wasn't properly aged.
Can I take cascara sagrada while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Stimulant laxatives aren't recommended in pregnancy, and the active compounds pass into breast milk. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about safe constipation remedies during these times.
Will this work for my constipation?
We don't have strong evidence in our data to say whether cascara sagrada reliably works for constipation. It's rated possibly ineffective for bowel prep specifically. Your pharmacist can help you explore options with better evidence.

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

Not sure if Cascara Sagrada 450 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.

Cascara Sagrada 450 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cascara Sagrada 450 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Cascara Sagrada

Interacts with 745 drugs

Cascara sagrada is a stimulant laxative made from the aged bark of a Pacific Northwest tree, used mainly for short-term relief of constipation. Because it can cause cramping, dehydration, an...

Read the full Cascara Sagrada monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cascara Sagrada 450 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.

Cascara Sagrada 9 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  5. Nusko G, Schneider B, Schneider I, et al. Anthranoid laxative use is not a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia: results of a prospective case control study. Gut 2000;46:651-5. PubMed
  6. Nadir A, Reddy D, Van Thiel DH. Cascara-sagrada induced intrahepatic cholestasis causing portal hypertension: case report and review of herbal hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:3634-7. PubMed
  7. Nakasone ES, Tokeshi J. A serendipitous find: a case of cholangiocarcinoma identified incidentally after acute liver injury due to cascara sagrada ingestion. Hawaii J Med Public Health 2015;74(6):200-2.
  8. Cirillo C, Capasso R. Constipation and botanical medicines: an overview. Phytother Res 2015;29(10):1488-93. PubMed
  9. Mazzari ALDA, Lacerda MG, Milton FA, et al. In vitro effects of European and Latin-American medicinal plants in CYP3A4 gene expression, glutathione levels, and P-glycoprotein activity. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:826395. PubMed

See these in context on the Cascara Sagrada 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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