Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Palmetto Plus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by USANA

Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Palmetto Plus is a dietary supplement by USANA with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) symptoms, urinary problems, hair loss.Based on those ingredients, 174 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Saw Palmetto extract, Lycopene. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Palmetto Plus by USANA

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 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Palmetto Plus contains 3 active ingredients. Saw palmetto extract is the traditional herbal remedy for urinary and prostate symptoms.

Lycopene is a natural red pigment found in tomatoes and other foods, studied for antioxidant effects. The product also contains soy isoflavones, though we hold no interaction data for this ingredient.

The softgel capsule also contains several inactive ingredients — gelatin, glycerin, soybean oil, beeswax, purified water, soy lecithin, natural caramel color, and titanium dioxide — that serve as fillers, thickeners, and capsule material.

Does it work?

Leans against
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
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: prostate health and urinary function support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), Prostatitis, Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
  • The closest evidence on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lycopene is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
  • Also on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Prostatitis, Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Saw palmetto is rated possibly effective for recovery after transurethral resection of the prostate (a surgical procedure), but possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). For other uses — chronic bronchitis, hair loss, and lower urinary tract symptoms — the evidence isn't strong enough to establish effectiveness in our data.

Lycopene is rated possibly effective for prostate cancer prevention, but possibly ineffective for bladder cancer and diabetes. For high cholesterol and other conditions, we don't have enough evidence to rate it.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Saw Palmetto Lycopene

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Saw palmetto is generally well tolerated, but side effects can include abdominal pain, constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and stuffy nose. Rarely, skin reactions (fixed drug eruption with blistering), acne worsening, or heart rhythm changes have been reported.

Lycopene supplements may cause gastrointestinal upset — diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion — though it's generally well tolerated. Saw palmetto is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy due to possible hormonal effects and lack of safety data; avoid it while breastfeeding as well.

Lycopene from food is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but supplement doses are not well studied — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether a supplement is right for you. We hold no safety data for soy isoflavones in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Saw Palmetto Lycopene

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lycopene, Saw Palmetto.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 174 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 with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Palmetto Plus if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin) — both saw palmetto and lycopene may increase bleeding risk. Also confirm it with estrogens or birth control pills, since saw palmetto may reduce their effectiveness.

If you take any prescription medication, run it through the search tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Palmetto Plus is primarily used for prostate and urinary health, though evidence is mixed. If you take blood thinners, estrogens, or birth control pills, you'll want to check this product's ingredients with your doctor or pharmacist first — the interactions are real and could affect how your medications work.

Discuss it with your own healthcare provider before starting, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have heart rhythm concerns.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 21, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Palmetto Plus, straight from the product label.

Brand USANA
Net contents 28 Softgel Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 21, 2019
DSLD ID 201082
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (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 Palmetto Plus by USANA, 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
28
IngredientAmount% DV
Saw Palmetto extract320 mg--
Lycopene5 mg--
Soy Isoflavones25 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Beeswax, purified Water, Soy Lecithin, natural Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide

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

Potency Guaranteed

Laboratory tested, Quality guaranteed. Meets USP specification for uniformity, potency, and disintegration where applicable.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Adult men take one (1) capsule daily, preferably with food.

Formula

Contains: Soy.

Saw Palmetto Extract is standardized to European standards of a minimum 85% Fatty Acid content.

Precautions

Contains: Soy.

Keep out of reach of children.

Consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug, or have a medical condition.

There is a safety seal under the cap. Do not use if the seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Store below 25(0) C.

General

128.010101 LB.001340

See for yourself

Palmetto Plus by USANA label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Palmetto Plus by USANA

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container28 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.

Saw Palmetto extract

Interacts with
174 drugs
320 mg per serving

Saw palmetto is a plant extract most often used for urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate (BPH). The best research suggests it works no bett...

Saw Palmetto extract monograph & interactions

Lycopene

Interacts with
122 drugs
5 mg per serving Form: Solanum lycopersicum

Lycopene is a red plant pigment and antioxidant found mainly in tomatoes and other red fruits. Eating lycopene-rich foods is linked with possible hear...

Lycopene monograph & interactions

Soy Isoflavones

25 mg per serving Form: Glycine max

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Beeswax, Purified Water, Soy Lecithin, Natural Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Palmetto Plus by USANA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Palmetto Plus?

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
174Drugs
174 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Lycopene 122

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Palmetto Plus 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.

Saw Palmetto extract3 drug types · 174 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Saw palmetto might increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Saw palmetto is reported to prolong bleeding time. Theoretically, it might increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Saw palmetto might reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive drugs.
Saw palmetto might have antiestrogenic effects. Theoretically, it might interfere with contraceptive drugs taken concomitantly.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Estrogens

Saw palmetto might reduce the effectiveness of estrogens.
Saw palmetto might have antiestrogenic effects. Theoretically, it might interfere with estrogens taken concomitantly.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Lycopene1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking lycopene with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research shows that lycopene has antiplatelet effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Palmetto Plus, from the product label.

USANA

See all USANA products
Name
USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
Street Address
3838 W. Parkway Blvd.
City
Salt Lake City
State
Utah
ZipCode
84120
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Palmetto Plus by USANA: Common Questions

Does Palmetto Plus by USANA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Palmetto Plus has a known interaction with 174 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Palmetto Plus contains 3 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Saw palmetto is rated likely unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding — the safety data advises against it. Lycopene from food is considered safe, but supplements haven't been studied well enough in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation, since we hold no safety data for the soy isoflavones either.
What side effects might I notice?
Saw palmetto can cause abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, and loss of libido — most are mild and reversible. Lycopene may cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, or indigestion. Skin reactions and heart rhythm changes are rare but have been reported with saw palmetto.
Does this actually work for prostate problems?
Saw palmetto is possibly effective for recovery after prostate surgery, but the evidence says it's possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) — the most common reason people take it. Lycopene is possibly effective for prostate cancer prevention. Results vary, and you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
What's lycopene and why is it in here?
Lycopene is a red pigment found naturally in tomatoes and other red fruits. It's an antioxidant being studied for potential benefits to prostate and heart health, though evidence is still developing. It's added here to complement saw palmetto's prostate-focused effects.
Is it safe to take with my other medications?
That depends on what you're taking — this product interacts with blood thinners, birth control pills, and estrogens, among others. Use the medication search tool on this page to check your specific drugs, and then confirm with your own doctor or pharmacist before you start.
Can I take this long-term?
Saw palmetto is generally well tolerated over time, and side effects tend to be mild. That said, you should discuss duration of use with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you're on other medications or have heart concerns, since rare but serious effects have been reported.

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

Not sure if Palmetto Plus 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.

Palmetto Plus label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Palmetto Plus'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 32 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.

Saw Palmetto 22 references
  1. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. JAMA 1998;280:1604-9. PubMed
  2. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate 1996;29:231-40. DOI
  3. Di Silverio F, D'Eramo G, Lubrano C, et al. Evidence that Serenoa repens extract displays an antiestrogenic activity in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. Eur Urol 1992;21:309-14. PubMed
  4. Stepanov VN, Siniakova LA, Sarrazin B, Raynaud JP. Efficacy and tolerability of the lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a double-blind comparison of two dosage regimens. Adv Ther 1999;16:231-41.
  5. Cheema P, El-Mefty O, Jazieh AR. Intraoperative haemorrhage associated with the use of extract of Saw Palmetto herb: a case report and review of literature. J Intern Med 2001;250:167-9. PubMed
  6. Jibrin I, Erinle A, Saidi A, Aliyu ZY. Saw palmetto-induced pancreatitis. South Med J 2006;99:611-2. PubMed
  7. Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med 2002
  8. Avins AL, Bent S, Staccone S, et al. A detailed safety assessment of a saw palmetto extract. Complement Ther Med 2008;16:147-54. PubMed
  9. Morgia, G., Mucciardi, G., Gali, A., Madonia, M., Marchese, F., Di, Benedetto A., Romano, G., Bonvissuto, G., Castelli, T., Macchione, L., and Magno, C. Treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome category IIIA with Serenoa repens plus
  10. Aliaev, IuG, Vinarov, A. Z., Lokshin, K. L., and Spivak, L. G. [Efficiency and safety of prostamol-Uno in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis]. Urologiia. 2006;(1):47-50.
  11. Agbabiaka, T. B., Pittler, M. H., Wider, B., and Ernst, E. Serenoa repens (saw palmetto): a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Saf 2009;32(8):637-647. PubMed
  12. Wargo, K. A., Allman, E., and Ibrahim, F. A possible case of saw palmetto-induced pancreatitis. South.Med.J. 2010;103(7):683-685. PubMed
  13. Lapi, F., Gallo, E., Giocaliere, E., Vietri, M., Baronti, R., Pieraccini, G., Tafi, A., Menniti-Ippolito, F., Mugelli, A., Firenzuoli, F., and Vannacci, A. Acute liver damage due to Serenoa repens: a case report. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69(5):558-560.
  14. Mantovani, F. Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hypertrophy: analysis of 2 Italian studies. Minerva Urol.Nefrol. 2010;62(4):335-340.
  15. Hanaka, M., Yoshii, C., Yatera, K., Ito, C., Chojin, Y., Nagata, S., Yamasaki, K., Nishida, C., Kawanami, T., Kawanami, Y., Ishimoto, H., and Mukae, H. [A case of rhabdomyolysis caused by saw palmetto of healthy foods]. J.UOEH. 6-1-2012;34(2):193-199. PubMed
  16. Miroddi, M., Carni, A., Mannucci, C., Moleti, M., Navarra, M., and Calapai, G. Hot flashes in a young girl: a wake-up call concerning Serenoa repens use in children. Pediatrics 2012;130(5):e1374-e1376.
  17. Braeckman J. The extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicenter open study. Current Therapeutic Research 1994;55(7):776-785. DOI
  18. Jipescu D, Patel A, Bohra H, Pientka A. Rare case of saw palmetto induced heart block. JACC 2017;69(11) supplement:2310.
  19. Morabito P, Miroddi M, Giovinazzo S, Spina E, Calapai G. Serenoa repens as an endocrine disruptor in a 10-year-Old young girl: a new case report. Pharmacology. 2015;96(1-2):41-3. doi: 10.1159/000431327.
  20. Gammoudi R, Ameur K, Ouni B, et al. Fixed drug eruption to Serenoa repens: first case report and consideration of the use of herbal medicine. Dermatol Ther 2020 Aug 29:e14247.
  21. Paulis G, Paulis A, Perletti G. Serenoa repens and its effects on male sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Arch Ital Urol Androl 2021;93(4):475-480. PubMed
  22. Venkateswaran S, Declet-Bauzo R, Shodeinde M, Gilford P. Postoperative Retroperitoneal Hematoma: A Case of Saw Palmetto and the Importance of Primary Care Intervention. HCA Healthc J Med 2020;1(5):279-282. PubMed

See these in context on the Saw Palmetto monograph →

Lycopene 10 references
  1. Sharma, J. B., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Malhotra, M., Arora, R., Prasad, S., and Batra, S. Effect of lycopene on pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation in primigravidas. Int J Gynaecol.Obstet. 2003;81(3):257-262. PubMed
  2. Hsiao, G., Wang, Y., Tzu, N. H., Fong, T. H., Shen, M. Y., Lin, K. H., Chou, D. S., and Sheu, J. R. Inhibitory effects of lycopene on in vitro platelet activation and in vivo prevention of thrombus formation. J Lab Clin Med 2005;146(4):216-226. PubMed
  3. Clark, P. E., Hall, M. C., Borden, L. S., Jr., Miller, A. A., Hu, J. J., Lee, W. R., Stindt, D., D'Agostino, R., Jr., Lovato, J., Harmon, M., and Torti, F. M. Phase I-II prospective dose-escalating trial of lycopene in patients with biochemical relapse o
  4. O'Kennedy, N., Crosbie, L., Whelan, S., Luther, V., Horgan, G., Broom, J. I., Webb, D. J., and Duttaroy, A. K. Effects of tomato extract on platelet function: a double-blinded crossover study in healthy humans. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2006;84(3):561-569. PubMed
  5. Jatoi, A., Burch, P., Hillman, D., Vanyo, J. M., Dakhil, S., Nikcevich, D., Rowland, K., Morton, R., Flynn, P. J., Young, C., and Tan, W. A tomato-based, lycopene-containing intervention for androgen-independent prostate cancer: results of a Phase II stu
  6. Schwenke, C., Ubrig, B., Thurmann, P., Eggersmann, C., and Roth, S. Lycopene for advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer: a prospective, open phase II pilot study. J.Urol. 2009;181(3):1098-1103. PubMed
  7. Banerjee, S., Jeyaseelan, S., and Guleria, R. Trial of lycopene to prevent pre-eclampsia in healthy primigravidas: results show some adverse effects. J.Obstet.Gynaecol.Res. 2009;35(3):477-482. PubMed
  8. Haseen, F., Cantwell, M. M., O'Sullivan, J. M., and Murray, L. J. Is there a benefit from lycopene supplementation in men with prostate cancer? A systematic review. Prostate Cancer Prostatic.Dis. 2009;12(4):325-332. PubMed
  9. Ilic, D., Forbes, K. M., and Hassed, C. Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2011;(11):CD008007. PubMed
  10. Sawardekar SB, Patel TC, Uchil D. Comparative evaluation of antiplatelet effect of lycopene with aspirin and the effect of their combination on platelet aggregation: an in vitro study. Indian J Pharmacol 2016;48:26-31. PubMed

See these in context on the Lycopene 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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