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Dietary supplement

Cascara Sagrada Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

Cascara Sagrada 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 Cascara Sagrada 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 is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb 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 bark powder. 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 by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

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 12, 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 bark powder. Cascara sagrada is a natural stimulant laxative that works by triggering muscle contractions in your bowel to move stool along.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and cellulose, which are inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

No specific claim
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
General wellness

This Cascara Sagrada product is marketed for general wellness, not a specific health condition, so there's no single claim to grade — see Cascara Sagrada's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“Promotes digestive health”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.

The evidence on cascara sagrada is thin. For bowel prep before procedures, the data suggests it's probably not effective.

For everyday constipation, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works or not.

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 properly, cascara sagrada is generally well tolerated — most people notice only mild belly discomfort or cramps. The real caution kicks in with long-term use: cascara sagrada can cause protein and blood in your urine, serious weight loss, and in rare cases, liver damage.

Fresh or improperly aged bark can trigger severe vomiting. Stimulant laxatives like this one are not recommended during pregnancy.

Active compounds can pass into breast milk, so it's best avoided while nursing.

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 taking this product, check your medications against these drug types: blood thinners like warfarin, diuretics (water pills), corticosteroids, digoxin (a heart medication), and other stimulant laxatives — all have moderate interactions. Also flag any medications that are CYP3A4 substrates (a weaker interaction), which is a large group; your pharmacist can identify them from your prescription list.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula marketed for general wellness rather than one specific gradeable purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Cascara sagrada is a short-term constipation option, but it's not something to use long-term. If you take warfarin, water pills, corticosteroids, digoxin, or other regular medications, check with your pharmacist before starting — this product has several important interactions.

Talk to us about whether it's right for your situation.

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 Feb 25, 2013.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb
Barcode (UPC) 048107090159
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2013
DSLD ID 18313
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 Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
048107090159
IngredientAmount% DV
Cascara Sagrada bark powder500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Gelatin

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

CODE 197121 AMG

GNC HERBAL PLUS(R) WHOLE HERB

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily.

General Statements

Promotes Digestive Health* Whole Herb

Lot No./Best By:

Material verified by TLC. Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

Formula

500 mg

Precautions

WARNING: This product contains Cascara Sagrada. Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Cascara Sagrada may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing taking medication, or have a medical condition or after use if you have frequent diarrhea. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

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.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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

See for yourself

Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb label

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

Cascara Sagrada 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 by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

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

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

Cascara Sagrada bark powder

Interacts with
745 drugs
500 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 bark powder monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cascara Sagrada?

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 bark powder 745

Individual Drug Interactions

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

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cascara Sagrada 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 Sagrada bark powder6 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 bark powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

See all GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb: Common Questions

Does Cascara Sagrada by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cascara Sagrada 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 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.
Is cascara sagrada safe to use long-term?
No. Long-term use carries real risks, including protein and blood in your urine, severe weight loss, and rare liver damage. It's meant for short-term constipation relief only.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Stimulant laxatives like cascara sagrada are not recommended during pregnancy. While nursing, the active compounds can pass into breast milk, so it's best avoided.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people get mild belly discomfort or cramps, which is normal. Serious effects are rare but include liver damage and severe vomiting (especially from fresh or improperly aged bark). Long-term use can cause protein or blood in urine.
Will this actually help my constipation?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say. It's possibly ineffective for bowel prep before procedures, and for everyday constipation the data just isn't solid enough to rate.
What's cascara sagrada, exactly?
It's the powdered bark of a plant that acts as a stimulant laxative — it triggers your bowel muscles to contract and move stool along. It's been used traditionally for constipation relief.

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

Not sure if Cascara Sagrada 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 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cascara Sagrada’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'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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