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Dietary supplement

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Solaray

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Solaray 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 Cactus. 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 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 supplement contains one active ingredient: nopal cactus (also called prickly pear cactus), a plant native to the Americas. The capsule also holds cellulose and rice bran extract as inactive ingredients—the typical binders and fillers that help 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

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

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Prickly Pear Cactus 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: Diabetes — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Nopal cactus is possibly effective for diabetes, based on the evidence we hold. For other uses listed—age-related cognitive decline, benign prostatic hyperplasia, indigestion, and high cholesterol—the evidence isn't strong enough to establish whether it works.

If you're interested in this supplement for one of those other reasons, the data just isn't there yet to say either way.

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.

Taken by mouth, nopal cactus is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild: abdominal fullness, indigestion, mild diarrhea, and nausea.

Rarely, some people report headache, insomnia, or dizziness—a small number in a clinical study of 41 participants experienced these. Very rarely, the dried cactus can swell in your gut and cause blockage; this is extremely uncommon and tied to eating a large amount of fruit seeds.

There isn't enough safety data to know whether this supplement is okay during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so the safety data advises against it in those settings. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you're pregnant or nursing and want to weigh your options.

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.

Double-check this product before starting if you take antidiabetes drugs—whether metformin, glyburide, glipizide, chlorpropamide, insulin, or any other diabetes medication. There's a Moderate risk that combining them could lower your blood sugar too much.

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.

Nopal cactus may help with diabetes management, but if you take any diabetes medication, you need to check with your pharmacist or doctor first because of the risk of low blood sugar. It's generally well tolerated otherwise, though some people experience mild digestive upset.

Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor okays it.

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 25, 2025.

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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Solaray
Barcode (UPC) 076280126259
Net contents 100 VegCap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2025
DSLD ID 339023
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Dairy Free
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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray, 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 VegCap(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 VegCap(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
076280126259
IngredientAmount% DV
Nopal Cactus500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Rice Bran Extract

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Solaray Est. 1973 A brighter way 1973

Formulation

Herbal Support

Vegan

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Lab verified Vegan

General Statements

Since 1973, we've scoured the globe for the highest quality ingredients, connecting you with the most efficacious supplements that help you live brighter & embrace the moments that matter most.

100% PCR bottles

True Herbs

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing. Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Directions: Use only as directed.

California residents only Warning: Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Use only as directed. Take 1 vegcap three times daily with a meal or glass of water.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

Discussion: Nopal, also known as "prickly pear" or "opuntia," thrives in desert locales. The Mexican flag proudly displays the distinctive cactus image. Both the fruit and the cladode, the flat pads of the cactus, are edible. Nopal has been used to make jellies, syrups, soups and salads for hundreds of years. The famous cactus is intended to provide herbal support.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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

See for yourself

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray label

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

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray

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

Serving size1 VegCap(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Nopal Cactus

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 mg per serving

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 & interactions

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

Interaction report

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Nopal Cactus 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Nopal Cactus

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 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.

Nopal Cactus1 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 Cactus full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg, from the product label.

Solaray

See all Solaray products
Name
Solaray
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
ZipCode
84101
Phone Number
800-538-5888
Web Address
www.solaray.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray: Common Questions

Does Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg by Solaray interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 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.
Can I take this if I have type 2 diabetes?
Nopal cactus is possibly effective for diabetes, so it's worth considering—but you must talk with your pharmacist or doctor first. If you're on a diabetes medication, combining them could increase the risk of low blood sugar, and your dose may need adjusting. Your doctor might also want you to check your blood sugar more often.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are mild and digestive: fullness, indigestion, mild diarrhea, and nausea. Rarely, a few people report headache, dizziness, or trouble sleeping. Very rarely, the dried cactus can swell and cause blockage, but that's extremely uncommon and only happens after eating a lot of the fruit seeds.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
There isn't enough safety data for supplement amounts during pregnancy, so the safety data advises against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant and interested in this—they can help you decide what's right for your situation.
Is it safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for supplement amounts while breastfeeding, so the safety data advises against it. If you're nursing and want to use nopal cactus, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.
What is nopal cactus?
Nopal, or prickly pear cactus, is a plant native to the Americas. It's been used as both a food and a supplement, and in this product it's standardized to 500 mg per capsule.
Does it work for cholesterol or indigestion?
The evidence for those uses isn't strong enough to say whether it works. The data we hold only supports a 'possibly effective' rating for diabetes. If you're interested in using it for something else, your pharmacist can talk through what the research shows so far.

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

Not sure if Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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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 Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus 500 mg’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 Prickly Pear Cactus 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 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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