Nopal Cactus Complex Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Nopal Cactus Complex 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
Nopal Cactus Complex is a dietary supplement by Vitamin World with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation relief, diarrhea and loose stools, high cholesterol.Based on those ingredients, 2,053 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Psyllium, Nopal Cactus. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World
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AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains 2 active ingredients: psyllium (from blond psyllium) and nopal cactus (also called prickly pear cactus). Psyllium is a soluble fiber that absorbs water in your digestive tract, often used to manage constipation and support heart health.
Nopal cactus is the edible pad of the prickly pear plant, traditionally used to help manage blood sugar. The tablet also contains inactive ingredients — dicalcium phosphate and vegetable cellulose — which are fillers and binders used to hold the pill together.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
Psyllium is effective for constipation and likely effective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and heart disease risk (coronary heart disease). Nopal cactus is rated possibly effective for diabetes based on the available evidence.
For nopal cactus and other uses listed — such as cognitive decline, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), indigestion (dyspepsia), and familial high cholesterol — the evidence isn't established well enough in our data to rate it.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Psyllium is generally well tolerated when taken with plenty of water, though you should use it only under your doctor's guidance. Most common side effects are abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, gas, and nausea.
Rarely, it can cause bowel or esophageal blockage. Some people are allergic to psyllium — symptoms range from sneezing and itching to serious ones like swelling, wheezing, and anaphylactic shock; repeated exposure can increase this risk.
Nopal cactus is generally well tolerated as a food but has less safety study as a supplement. The most common side effects are abdominal fullness, indigestion, mild diarrhea, and nausea.
Rarely, headache, insomnia, and dizziness have been reported. The safety data advises against supplement amounts of nopal cactus during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take metformin, any antidiabetes drug (glyburide, glipizide, chlorpropamide), lithium, carbamazepine (Tegretol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), digoxin (Lanoxin), or birth control pills. Psyllium can change how these medications are absorbed.
If you take any other oral medication, timing matters — take psyllium 30–60 minutes after your drugs to avoid interference.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
If you have constipation or want to support heart health, psyllium is well established. Nopal cactus may help with blood sugar, but it's less proven for other conditions.
The biggest concern is that both ingredients interact with common medications — especially diabetes drugs, heart medicines, and psychiatric medications — so check your exact prescriptions with your doctor or pharmacist before you start. This isn't a product to add without a quick conversation with your healthcare provider.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 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
General information
Key facts about Nopal Cactus Complex, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Vitamin World |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 766443307181 |
| Net contents | 60 Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Apr 25, 2013 |
| DSLD ID | 20848 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Tablet Or Pill |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, No Claim |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free |
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 Cactus Complex by Vitamin World, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Psyllium | 200 mg | -- |
| Nopal Cactus | 200 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose, Contains <2% of
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
Precautions
Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.
Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Keep out of reach of children.
Brand IP Statement(s)
(C) 2012 Vitamin World, Inc.
Get healthy.
General Statements
This product has been developed, manufactured and packaged by Vitamin World. Our world-class facilities allow us to control exactly what goes into each product. It is your assurance that you are getting the highest quality and freshest products. You have our guarantee!
Prickly Pear Cactus HERBAL COMPLEX
Nopal Cactus has a long history of traditional use for wellness.
Formulation
No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.
FDA Statement of Identity
Vegetarian Herbal Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
DIRECTIONS: For adults, take one (1) tablet three times daily, preferably with meals.
Formula
This product is made from Nopal Cactus leaves grown in Mexico and Psyllium Seed Husk.
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Seals/Symbols
QA QUALITY ASSURED
General
PROD. #30718 B30718 00A
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.
Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.
Psyllium
Interacts with2,025 drugs
Blond psyllium is a soluble fiber from the seed husks of Plantago ovata, and it is one of the better-studied fiber supplements. It can help with both...
Psyllium monograph & interactionsNopal Cactus
Interacts with86 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 hango...
Nopal Cactus monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Vitamin World's Nopal Cactus Complex contains psyllium and nopal cactus, both of which interact with medications.
The most serious interaction is psyllium's Moderate effect on metformin (Glucophage) — it can slow and increase metformin absorption, which may change how well the drug works and how many side effects you experience. To manage this, take psyllium at least 30–60 minutes after metformin.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Psyllium also has Moderate interactions with lithium (used for bipolar disorder), carbamazepine (Tegretol, an anti-seizure medication), and olanzapine (Zyprexa, an antipsychotic) — the fiber can reduce how much of these drugs your body absorbs, lowering their effectiveness. Psyllium carries Minor interactions with birth control pills containing ethinyl estradiol, digoxin (Lanoxin, a heart medication), and oral drugs in general; timing your dose 30–60 minutes after other medications may help.
Nopal cactus has a Moderate interaction with antidiabetes drugs (including metformin, glyburide, glipizide, and chlorpropamide) — it may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take diabetes medication, you'll need to monitor your blood glucose closely.
Almogether, these interactions span 2,054 individual medications. Use the search tool below to check your exact prescriptions before starting this product.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Nopal Cactus Complex?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Nopal Cactus Complex interact with 2,053 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 2 ingredients in Nopal Cactus Complex interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Psyllium Nopal Cactus
AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Acarbose interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Acarbose interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Acetohexamide interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Acetohexamide interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Alogliptin interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionCanagliflozinInvokana
How Canagliflozin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Canagliflozin interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Canagliflozin interactionCanagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet
How Canagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionCanagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR
How Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Psyllium + Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionCarbamazepineCarbatrol, Carnexiv, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR
How Carbamazepine interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Carbamazepine (tegretol) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Carbamazepine interactionChlorpropamideChlorpropam, Diabinese
How Chlorpropamide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Chlorpropamide interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Chlorpropamide interactionDapagliflozinFarxiga
How Dapagliflozin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dapagliflozin interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Dapagliflozin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Psyllium + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQtern
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR
How Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Psyllium + Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDasiglucagon HydrochlorideZegalogue
How Dasiglucagon Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dasiglucagon Hydrochloride interactionDulaglutideTrulicity
How Dulaglutide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Dulaglutide interactionEmpagliflozinJardiance
How Empagliflozin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Empagliflozin interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Empagliflozin interactionEmpagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideTrijardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionEmpagliflozin, MetforminSynjardy
How Empagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Psyllium + Empagliflozin, Metformin interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Empagliflozin, Metformin interactionEmpagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSynjardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionErtugliflozinSteglatro
How Ertugliflozin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Ertugliflozin interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Ertugliflozin interactionErtugliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSegluromet
How Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionExenatideBydureon, Byetta
How Exenatide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Exenatide interactionExenatide SyntheticBydureon BCISE
How Exenatide Synthetic interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Exenatide Synthetic interactionGliclazideDiamicron
How Gliclazide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Gliclazide interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Gliclazide interactionGlimepirideAmaryl
How Glimepiride interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Glimepiride interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Glimepiride interactionGlipizideGlucotrol, Glucotrol XL
How Glipizide interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Nopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Glipizide interactionPsylliumOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Psyllium + Glipizide interactionGlipizide, MetforminMetaglip
How Glipizide, Metformin interacts with Nopal Cactus Complex — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PsylliumMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Psyllium + Glipizide, Metformin interactionNopal CactusAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Nopal Cactus + Glipizide, Metformin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Nopal Cactus Complex with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Psyllium
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Theoretically, blond psyllium might reduce the effects of carbamazepine and increase the risk for convulsions.
Blond psyllium might reduce carbamazepine absorption and serum levels. A preliminary study using blond psyllium reported decreased carbamazepine bioavailability due to binding of the drug to psyllium, as well as reduction of available fluid in the gut for dissolution of the drug.
Lithium
Theoretically, taking blond psyllium at the same time as lithium might reduce lithium absorption.
The fiber in blond psyllium might decrease the absorption of lithium. Some case reports describe a reduction in plasma lithium levels with concomitant administration of blond psyllium. This was reversed when psyllium was stopped.
Metformin (Glucophage)
Theoretically, blond psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Concurrent use of blond psyllium with metformin slows and increases metformin absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after metformin.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Theoretically, taking blond psyllium at the same time as olanzapine might reduce olanzapine absorption.
The fiber in blond psyllium might decrease the absorption of olanzapine. A single case report describes a reduction in the effectiveness of olanzapine when it was taken concomitantly with an unspecified type of psyllium 3 grams orally twice daily. This effect was reversed when psyllium was stopped.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Theoretically, taking blond psyllium at the same time as digoxin might reduce digoxin absorption.
Psyllium might bind digoxin in the gut. However, some clinical evidence suggests that psyllium does not impact digoxin absorption.
Ethinyl Estradiol
Theoretically, taking blond psyllium at the same time as ethinyl estradiol might alter levels of estradiol.
Concurrent use of blond psyllium with ethinyl estradiol results in a slight increase in the extent of ethinyl estradiol absorption and a slower rate of absorption. However, this is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Oral Drugs
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Psyllium seems to have variable effects on drug absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after oral medications. Animal research shows that blond psyllium delays and increases the absorption of metformin and ethinyl estradiol. Conversely, case reports and animal research suggest that blond psyllium might reduce absorption of lithium, digoxin, olanzapine, and carbamazepine. Finally, some pharmacokinetic studies show that psyllium does not affect the absorption of levothyroxine or warfarin.
Nopal Cactus
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.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Nopal Cactus Complex, from the product label.
Vitamin World
See all Vitamin World products- Name
- Vitamin World, Inc.
- City
- Ronkonkoma
- State
- NY
- ZipCode
- 11779
Nopal Cactus Complex by Vitamin World: Common Questions
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Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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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.
The Full Monographs Behind Nopal Cactus Complex’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Blond Psyllium
Interacts with 2,025 drugsBlond psyllium is a soluble fiber from the seed husks of Plantago ovata, and it is one of the better-studied fiber supplements. It can help with both constipation and diarrhea and may modest...
Read the full Blond Psyllium monograph → Herb & supplement monographPrickly Pear Cactus
Interacts with 86 drugsPrickly 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 & How We Checked
Nopal Cactus Complex'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 37 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.
Blond Psyllium 28 references
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
- Etman M. Effect of a bulk forming laxative on the bioavailablility of carbamazepine in man. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1995;21:1901-6.
- Perlman BB. Interaction between lithium salts and ispaghula husk. Lancet 1990;335:416.
- Agha FP, Nostrant TT, Fiddian-Green RG. Giant colonic bezoar: a medication bezoar due to psyllium seed husks. Am J Gastroenterol 1984;79:319-21.
- Anderson JW, Allgood LD, Lawrence A, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium intake adjunctive to diet therapy in men and women with hypercholesterolemia: meta-analysis of 8 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:472-9. PubMed
- Suhonen R, Kantola I, Bjorksten F. Anaphylactic shock due to ingestion of psyllium laxative. Allergy 1983;38:363-5. PubMed
- Vaswani SK, Hamilton RG, Valentine MD, Adkinson NF. Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis. Allergy 1996;51:266-8. PubMed
- Freeman GL. Psyllium hypersensitivity. Ann Allergy 1994;73:490-2.
- Morgan MS, Arlian LG, Vyszenski-Moher DL, et al. English plantain and psyllium: lack of cross-allergenicity by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1995;75:351-9.
- Lantner RR, Espiritu BR, Zumerchik P, Tobin MC. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of a psyllium-containing cereal. JAMA 1990;264:2534-6. DOI
- Schneider RP. Perdiem causes esophageal impaction and bezoars. South Med J 1989;82:1449-50. PubMed
- Shulman LM, Minagar A, Weiner WJ. Perdiem causing esophageal obstruction in Parkinson's disease. Neurology 1999;52:670-1. PubMed
- James JM, Cooke SK, Barnett A, Sampson HA. Anaphylactic reactions to a psyllium-containing cereal. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991;88:402-8.. PubMed
- Kaplan MJ. Anaphylactic reaction to "Heartwise." N Engl J Med 1990;323:1072-3. DOI
- Schaller DR. Anaphylactic reaction to "Heartwise." N Engl J Med 1990;323:1073. DOI
- Nordstrom M, Melander A, Robertsson E, Steen B. Influence of wheat bran and of a bulk-forming ispaghula cathartic on the bioavailability of digoxin in geriatric in-patients. Drug Nutr Interact 1987;5:67-9..
- Robinson DS, Benjamin DM, McCormack JJ. Interaction of warfarin and nonsystemic gastrointestinal drugs. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1971;12:491-5. PubMed
- Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, Diez MJ, et al. Influence of two dietary fibers in the oral bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of ethinyloestradiol. Contraception 2000;62:253-7. PubMed
- Bernedo N, García M, Gastaminza G, et al. Allergy to laxative compound (Plantago ovata seed) among health care professionals. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008;18(3):181-9.
- Fernandez N, Lopez C, Díez R, et al. Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2012;8(11):1377-86.
- Semen plantaginis in: WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, volume 1. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1999. Available at http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js2200e/. Accessed November 26, 1026.
- Diez R, Garcia JJ, Diez MJ, Sierra M, Sahagun AM, Fernandez N. Influence of Plantago ovata husk (dietary fiber) on the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin in diabetic rabbits. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jun 7;17(1):298. PubMed
- Chiu AC, Sherman SI. Effects of pharmacological fiber supplements on levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid. 1998;8(8):667-71. PubMed
- Merrick C, Madden CA, Capurso NA. A Case of Blunted Orally Disintegrating Olanzapine Effect Due to Coadministered Psyllium. J Clin Psychiatry 2021;82(2):20cr13633. PubMed
- Shin S, Kim JH, Mun YH, Chung HS. Acute esophageal obstruction after ingestion of psyllium seed husk powder: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2022;10(7):2336-2340. PubMed
- Tominaga Y, Hirayama I, Nonaka M, Yano T, Ishii M. Intestinal obstruction caused by consuming diet food containing psyllium. Acute Med Surg 2023;10(1):e846. PubMed
Prickly Pear Cactus 9 references
- Meckes-Lozyoa M, Roman-Ramos R. Opuntia streptacantha; a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 1986;14:116-8.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
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