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Dietary supplement

Neem Leaf 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Premium Brand

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

Neem Leaf 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Premium Brand with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin conditions, dental and gum health, antimicrobial and antiparasitic.Based on those ingredients, 1,013 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Neem. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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: neem leaf extract at 500 mg per capsule. Neem is a tree native to India whose leaves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin, and the product also includes rice bran, rice extract blend, and silica as inactive ingredients.

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 Neem's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Neem 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: Dental plaque — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Gingivitis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Lice — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Neem leaf has the strongest evidence for gingivitis and lice, where it's rated possibly effective—meaning there's some clinical support, though more research would strengthen that claim. It also shows possibly effective evidence for dental plaque.

For acne and tungiasis (a parasitic skin infection), the evidence isn't strong enough to rate; we simply don't have reliable data either way. If you're considering neem for any of these uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence fits your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Neem

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.

Neem leaf preparations are generally well tolerated in adults when used short-term, though high-quality safety testing hasn't been done. Topically, neem seems safe for both children and adults, though contact dermatitis (skin irritation) can occur in people with sensitive skin.

The main caution: neem oil and seed extracts can be toxic if swallowed, particularly in children—this product is neem leaf, not oil, but that distinction matters. Neem is likely unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided; there's not enough safety information to recommend it while breastfeeding either.

In rare cases, oral neem has been linked to serious effects like heart arrhythmias and kidney damage in adults. One case report documented hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) in an adult with a genetic enzyme deficiency who drank large amounts of neem tea daily.

If you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or any heart condition, this is especially important to discuss with your doctor before starting.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Neem

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 — Neem.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,014 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, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take antidiabetes drugs (especially metformin)—neem can lower blood sugar and raise the risk of hypoglycemia. You should also verify any medications metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or CYP2C8 enzymes, or any drugs that use P-glycoprotein transport, since neem theoretically increases their levels.

Finally, if you take immunosuppressants, confirm that neem won't interfere with their effectiveness.

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.

Neem leaf may be worth considering if you're looking for a possibly effective option for gingivitis, lice, or dental plaque, and if you're not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and not taking antidiabetes drugs or medications metabolized by major liver enzymes. Because neem interacts with so many medications theoretically, and because rare but serious side effects have been reported, check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting—especially if you take any prescription medications or have a heart condition or diabetes.

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 Jan 25, 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 Neem Leaf 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Premium Brand
Barcode (UPC) 087614110356
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2020
DSLD ID 212649
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 Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand, 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
087614110356
IngredientAmount% DV
Neem500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Bran, Rice extract Blend, 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.
General Statements

Bringing wellness to the world since 1969

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two to three times per day with water.

See for yourself

Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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.

Neem

Interacts with
1,013 drugs
500 mg per serving

Neem is a tree from India used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially for skin, dental, and antimicrobial purposes. Some small studies are...

Neem monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Bran, Rice extract Blend, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Neem Leaf 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
1,013Drugs
1,013 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Neem 1,013

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Neem Leaf 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.

Neem7 drug types · 1,013 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Neem might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Some clinical research shows that neem can lower blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, including those already taking metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf extract inhibits CYP1A2 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C8 (Cyp2C8) Substrates

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C8 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP2C8 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP2C9 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, neem might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressants.
Animal research suggests that neem might have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits renal P-glycoprotein transport activity. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Swanson Premium Brand

See all Swanson Premium Brand 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

Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand: Common Questions

Does Neem Leaf 500 mg by Swanson Premium Brand interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Neem Leaf 500 mg has a known interaction with 1,013 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Neem Leaf 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.
Is neem safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. Neem is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided. There isn't enough safety information to recommend it while breastfeeding either. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before considering neem.
Does neem work for acne?
The evidence for acne isn't strong enough to rate reliably. We don't have enough high-quality research to say whether neem is effective for it or not. If acne treatment is your goal, your doctor or dermatologist can suggest options with better evidence.
What side effects does neem cause?
In adults taking neem leaf by mouth, serious side effects are rare. Contact dermatitis (skin irritation) can happen with topical use in people with sensitive skin. In rare cases, oral neem has been linked to heart rhythm problems, kidney damage, or hemolytic anemia. In children, neem oil specifically can cause serious harm—this product is neem leaf, not oil, but that's a key distinction.
Can I take neem if I have diabetes?
You need to check with your doctor first. Neem can lower blood sugar levels on its own, so if you're already taking diabetes medication, combining them raises your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is especially important if you're taking metformin.
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
Neem leaf extract affects three major enzyme systems your body uses to break down drugs—CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2C9—plus a transport system called P-glycoprotein. Because thousands of medications rely on these pathways, neem theoretically can slow their metabolism and raise their levels in your blood. These enzyme interactions haven't been reported in actual patients yet, but the lab evidence suggests the potential exists.
Is neem different from neem oil?
Yes, and the difference matters for safety. This product is neem leaf extract. Neem oil and seed extracts can be toxic if swallowed, especially in children. Neem leaf preparations are safer, though you should still check with your doctor before starting, especially if you take other medications.

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

Not sure if Neem Leaf 500 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.

Neem Leaf 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Neem Leaf 500 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

Neem Leaf 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 28 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.

Neem 28 references
  1. Sinniah D, Baskaran G. Margosa oil poisoning as a cause of Reye's syndrome. Lancet 1981;1:487-9. PubMed
  2. Sinniah D, Baskaran G, Looi LM, Leong KL. Reye-like syndrome due to margosa oil poisoning: report of a case with postmortem findings. Am J Gastroenterol 1982;77:158-61.
  3. Sinniah R, Sinniah D, Chia LS, Baskaran G. Animal model of margosa oil ingestion with Reye-like syndrome. Pathogenesis of microvesicular fatty liver. J Pathol 1989;159:255-64. PubMed
  4. Lai SM, Lim KW, Cheng HK. Margosa oil poisoning as a cause of toxic encephalopathy. Singapore Med J 1990;31:463-5.
  5. Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Curr Sci 2002;82:1336-45.
  6. Upadhyay SN, Dhawan S, Garg S, Talwar GP. Immunomodulatory effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil. Int J Immunopharmacol 1992;14:1187-93. PubMed
  7. Ibrahim IA, Khalid SA, Omer SA, Adam SE. On the toxicology of Azadirachta indica leaves. J Ethnopharmacol 1992;35:267-73. PubMed
  8. Ali BH. Toxicology of Azadirachta indica. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;42:71-2. PubMed
  9. Boeke SJ, Boersma MG, Alink GM, et al. Safety evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) derived pesticides. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;94:25-41. PubMed
  10. Abdel-Ghaffar, F. and Semmler, M. Efficacy of neem seed extract shampoo on head lice of naturally infected humans in Egypt. Parasitol.Res 2007;100(2):329-332. PubMed
  11. Reutemann, P. and Ehrlich, A. Neem oil: an herbal therapy for alopecia causes dermatitis. Dermatitis 2008;19(3):E12-E15.
  12. Senanayake, M. P., Rupasinghe, S., and Dissanayake, P. V. Margosa (Kohomba) oil induced toxic encephalopathy following home remedy for intestinal worms. Ceylon Med.J 2009;54(4):140. PubMed
  13. Bhaskar, M. V., Pramod, S. J., Jeevika, M. U., Chandan, P. K., and Shetteppa, G. MR imaging findings of neem oil poisoning. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010;31(7):E60-E61.
  14. Iyyadurai, R., Surekha, V., Sathyendra, S., Paul, Wilson B., and Gopinath, K. G. Azadirachtin poisoning: a case report. Clin Toxicol.(Phila) 2010;48(8):857-858. PubMed
  15. Sinniah, D., Sinniah, R., Baskaran, G., Pathmanathan, R., Yamashita, F., and Yoshino, M. Evaluation of the possible role of glucose, carnitine, coenzyme Q10 and steroids in the treatment of Reye's syndrome using the margosa oil animal model. Acta Paediat PubMed
  16. Balakrishnan, V., Pillai, N. R., and Santhakumari, G. Ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest due to neem leaf poisoning. J.Assoc.Physicians India 1986;34(7):536.
  17. Sivashanmugham, R., Bhaskar, N., and Banumathi, N. Ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest due to neem leaf poisoning. J.Assoc.Physicians India 1984;32(7):610-611.
  18. Mukherjee, S. and Talwar, G. P. Termination of pregnancy in rodents by oral administration of praneem, a purified neem seed extract. Am J Reprod.Immunol. 1996;35(1):51-56. PubMed
  19. Talwar, G. P., Pal, R., Singh, O., Garg, S., Taluja, V., Upadhyay, S. N., Gopalan, S., Jain, V., Kaur, J., and Sehgal, S. Safety of intrauterine administration of purified neem seed oil (Praneem Vilci) in women & effect of its co-administration with the
  20. Talwar, G. P., Shah, S., Mukherjee, S., and Chabra, R. Induced termination of pregnancy by purified extracts of Azadirachta Indica (Neem): mechanisms involved. Am J Reprod.Immunol. 1997;37(6):485-491. PubMed
  21. Greenblatt DT, Banerjee P, White JM. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by neem oil. Contact Dermatitis. 2012;67(4):242-3. PubMed
  22. Page C, Hawes EM. Haemolytic anaemia after ingestion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) tea. BMJ Case Rep. 2013. pii: bcr2013200890.
  23. Braidy N, Berg J, Clement J, et al. Role of nicotinamide dinucleotide and related precursors as therapeutic targets for age-related degenerative diseases: rationale, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and outcomes. Antiox Redox Signal 2018.
  24. Jadhav PB. Leucoderma on the lips induced by neem (Azadirachta indica): case series. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2018;43(8):943-6.
  25. Giuggioli D, Lumetti F, Spinella A, et al. Use of Neem oil and Hypericum perforatum for treatment of calcinosis-related skin ulcers in systemic sclerosis. J Int Med Res 2019:300060519882176. Online ahead of print.
  26. Pingali U, Ali MA, Gundagani S, Nutalapati C. Evaluation of the effect of an aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves and twigs on glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a
  27. Amaeze O, Marques ES, Wei W, et al. Evaluation of Nigerian Medicinal Plants Extract on Human P-glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Induction: Implications for Herb-drug Interaction. Curr Drug Metab. 2021;22(14):1103-1113. PubMed
  28. Amaeze O, Eng H, Horlbogen L, Varma MVS, Slitt A. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2021;46(3):437-450. PubMed

See these in context on the Neem 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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