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Dietary supplement

Nopal Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Nopal 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 Nopal 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

Nopal is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine 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 Nopal. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Nopal by Nature's Sunshine

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Nopal by Nature's Sunshine — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Nopal by Nature's Sunshine

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 Aug 27, 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: nopal, derived from prickly pear cactus. The capsule also holds cellulose as an inactive ingredient to hold the formula together.

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: blood sugar support and antioxidant support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, Hypercholesterolemia, Glucose 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 Familial hypercholesterolemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Metabolic syndrome.

Nopal is possibly effective for type 2 diabetes based on the evidence we have on file. For other uses—age-related cognitive decline, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), indigestion, and high cholesterol—the evidence isn't established well enough for us to rate it.

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.

Nopal is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though supplement safety data is less studied than food-form data. Common side effects include mild stomach fullness, indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea.

Rarely, headache, insomnia, and dizziness have been reported in clinical studies. There isn't enough safety data to recommend supplement doses during pregnancy or breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become 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 before taking this product if you use any antidiabetes drugs, including metformin, glyburide, glipizide, or chlorpropamide. The combination can increase your risk of low blood sugar.

Your doctor or pharmacist can help you weigh the benefit against that risk and plan how to monitor your glucose.

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.

Nopal may help with type 2 diabetes, but it can lower blood sugar further when combined with diabetes medications. If you take diabetes drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this—they'll help you decide if it's right for you and how to monitor your glucose safely.

For other conditions, evidence doesn't yet support its use.

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 Sep 24, 2021.

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 Nopal, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904004757
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2021
DSLD ID 255387
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Nopal by Nature's Sunshine, 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
099904004757
IngredientAmount% DV
Nopal400 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Capsule

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 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.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

New look! Same great product

Formulation

Antioxidant Traditionally used to support normal range blood sugar levels and the glandular system

Traditional blood sugar support

Guaranteed pure

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Prickly Pear Cactus

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 1 capsule with a meal daily.

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

See for yourself

Nopal by Nature's Sunshine label

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

Nopal 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 Nopal by Nature's Sunshine

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.

Nopal

Interacts with
86 drugs
400 mg per serving Form: Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia streptacantha

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...

Nopal monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Nopal by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Nopal?

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

Nopal 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Nopal interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Nopal interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Nopal

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Nopal 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.

Nopal1 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
Nopal full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Nopal, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
Utah
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Nopal by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Nopal by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Nopal 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?
Nopal 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.
Does nopal actually lower blood sugar?
Nopal is possibly effective for type 2 diabetes based on the evidence we have. That said, it can increase the effect of your diabetes medications, which is why monitoring and a conversation with your doctor matter.
What are the most common side effects?
Most people who take nopal experience mild stomach issues: fullness, indigestion, diarrhea, or nausea. Rarely, headache, insomnia, or dizziness have been reported in studies.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data on supplement doses of nopal during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in those situations.
Will this help with my cholesterol or digestion?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish nopal as effective for high cholesterol or indigestion. For those uses, the data isn't strong enough to rate it either way.

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

Not sure if Nopal 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.

Nopal label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Nopal’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

Nopal'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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