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Dietary supplement

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Superior Herbs

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Superior Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis pain, lower back pain, joint pain and stiffness.Based on those ingredients, 804 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Devil's Claw root extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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

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: devil's claw root extract at 125 mg per capsule. The inactive ingredients are brown rice flour, cellulose, magnesium silicate, and silica — all common capsule fillers and binders.

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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Devil's Claw's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Devil's Claw for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Back pain — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Osteoarthritis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Devil's claw is possibly effective for back pain and osteoarthritis based on the evidence we hold. For atherosclerosis, there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works.

Most of the research has focused on back pain, and that's where the strongest support sits.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Devil's Claw

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.

Devil's claw is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but digestive upset is common — roughly 9 to 18 percent of people report mild stomach complaints like diarrhea, indigestion, or loss of taste, especially at higher doses. Rarely, gastrointestinal bleeding, headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or sleep problems have been reported, though it's unclear if devil's claw caused them.

Avoid this product during pregnancy because it may affect the uterus and safety hasn't been established. Also avoid it while breastfeeding — there isn't enough safety information.

If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Devil's Claw

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 — Devil's Claw.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 805 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 with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin or other blood thinners (it may increase bleeding risk); any medications broken down by your liver (CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 substrates — including many heart and psychiatric drugs); acid-reducing medications like omeprazole or famotidine; or any other P-glycoprotein substrate drugs. These are the ones where devil's claw's effects are most likely to matter.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Devil's claw may help with back pain or arthritis symptoms, but it's not right for everyone. If you take blood thinners, heart or psych meds, or acid reducers, you need to check your specific drugs first — the interactions are real.

Pregnant or nursing? Skip it and talk to your doctor.

If you're otherwise healthy and your medications check out, it's a reasonable short-term option, but run it past your pharmacist or doctor first.

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, 2019.

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 Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Superior Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 087614142395
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 199383
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614142395
IngredientAmount% DV
Devil's Claw root extract125 mg--

Other ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, Cellulose, Magnesium Silicate, Silica

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Standardized Herbal Supplement

Formulation

V Vegetarian formula

Seals/Symbols

V Vegetarian formula Guaranteed purity & potency

Formula

Standardized to 40% Harpagosides

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant, nursing or if you have or have had ulcers or gallstones. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are taking a bloodthinning medication.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule per day with water. Recommended to take with food.

General Statements

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

General

SWH239 Rev 0 06 30 17

See for yourself

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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

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

Devil's Claw root extract

Interacts with
804 drugs
125 mg per serving Form: Harpagosides

Devil's claw is a southern African plant used mainly for arthritis and back pain, and some studies suggest it may help ease these types of discomfort....

Devil's Claw root extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, Cellulose, Magnesium Silicate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Devil's Claw Extract 125 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
804Drugs
731 Moderate 73 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Devil's Claw Extract 125 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.

Devil's Claw root extract7 drug types · 804 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw might inhibit CYP2C19, although this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw might inhibit CYP2C9, although this has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw might inhibit CYP3A4, although this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, Devil's claw might increase the activity of warfarin.
In one case report, purpura occurred in a patient taking warfarin and devil's claw concurrently. This might indicate over-anticoagulation. It is unclear if this was due to Devil's claw or other contributing factors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
H2-Blockers

Theoretically, devil's claw might decrease the effectiveness of H2-blockers.
Devil's claw has been reported to increase stomach acid, which might interfere with the effects of H2-blockers.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw inhibits P-glycoprotein, which transports many drugs out of cells. This might increase intracellular levels of P-glycoprotein substrates, although it is unclear if this effect would be clinically important.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Proton Pump Inhibitors (Ppis)

Theoretically, devil's claw might decrease the effectiveness of PPIs.
Devil's claw has been reported to increase stomach acid, which might interfere with the effects of PPIs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Superior Herbs

See all Swanson Superior Herbs products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs: Common Questions

Does Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg has a known interaction with 804 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Devil's Claw Extract 125 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against it during pregnancy because devil's claw may affect the uterus, and there isn't enough information to know it's safe while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Digestive upset is the main one: diarrhea, indigestion, and sometimes loss of taste. These happen in roughly 8 to 18 percent of people, especially at higher doses. Allergic skin reactions are also reported. Most people tolerate it well for short-term use.
Does devil's claw actually work for back pain?
Yes — it's possibly effective for back pain and osteoarthritis based on the evidence we hold. It won't work for everyone, and it's best used short-term, but the research supports its use for these conditions.
Why does devil's claw interact with so many medications?
It may slow down your liver's ability to clear drugs by affecting three major enzymes (CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4) that break down many medications. This is from lab research so far, but it means your body could hold higher levels of certain drugs longer.
Is it safe to take with my acid reflux medication?
Probably not ideal — devil's claw may actually increase stomach acid, which could work against acid-reducing drugs like omeprazole or famotidine. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

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

Not sure if Devil's Claw Extract 125 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.

Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Devil's Claw Extract 125 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Devil's Claw Extract 125 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 18 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.

Devil's Claw 18 references
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  2. Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
  3. Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, et al. Efficacy and tolerance or Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis. Phytomedicine 2000;7:177-83.
  4. Chrubasik S, Thanner J, Kunzel O, et al. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip. Phytomedicine 2002;9:181-94. PubMed
  5. Circosta C, Occhiuto F, Ragusa S, et al. A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens DC. II. Cardiovascular activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1984;11:259-74. PubMed
  6. Grahame R, Robinson BV. Devils's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): pharmacological and clinical studies. Ann Rheum Dis 1981;40:632. PubMed
  7. Unger M, Frank A. Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of herbal extracts on the activity of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and automated online extraction. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2004;1 PubMed
  8. Wegener T, Lupke NP. Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC). Phytother Res 2003;17:1165-72.
  9. Chrubasik S, Kunzel O, Thanner J, et al. A 1-year follow-up after a pilot study with Doloteffin for low back pain. Phytomedicine 2005;12:1-9. PubMed
  10. Romiti N, Tramonti G, Corti A, Chieli E. Effects of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) on the multidrug transporter ABCB1/P-glycoprotein. Phytomedicine 2009;16:1095-100. PubMed
  11. Chrubasik, S., Junck, H., Breitschwerdt, H., Conradt, C., and Zappe, H. Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extract WS 1531 in the treatment of exacerbation of low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double- blind study. Eur.J Anaesthesiol. 1999;16(2 DOI
  12. Laudahn, D. and Walper, A. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non-radicular back pain. Phytother.Res. 2001;15(7):621-624.
  13. Belaiche P. Etude clinique de 630 cas d'artrose traites par le nebulisat aqueux d'Harpagophytum procumbens (Radix). Phytotherapy 1982;1:22-28.
  14. Chrubasik S, Model A, Black A, and et al. A randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin® and Vioxx® in the treatment of low back pain. Rheumatology 2003;42:141-148.
  15. Cuspidi C, Sala C, Tadic M, et al. Systemic hypertension induced by Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw): a case report. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2015;17(11):908-10.
  16. Mahomed IM, Ojewole JAO. Oxytocin-like effect of Harpagophytum procumbens [Pedaliacae] secondary root aqueous extract on rat isolated uterus. Afr J Trad CAM 2006;3(1):82-89.
  17. Carvalho RR, Donadel CD, Cortez AF, Valviesse VR, Vianna PF, Correa BB. J Bras Nefrol. 2017 Mar;39(1):79-81.
  18. Anon. Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Prescrire Int 2013;22(144):296.

See these in context on the Devil's Claw 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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