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Dietary supplement

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by TerraVita Premium Collection

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder label
See full label image
Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Pickly Pear Cactus Powder 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

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder is a dietary supplement by TerraVita Premium Collection 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 Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection

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 product contains one active ingredient: prickly pear cactus powder. It's the whole ingredient — there are no other active components added.

There are no inactive ingredients listed either, so you're getting the cactus powder on its own.

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).

Prickly pear cactus is possibly effective for type 2 diabetes. For other uses listed here — age-related cognitive decline, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), indigestion, and high cholesterol — we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate how well it works.

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.

Prickly pear cactus is generally well tolerated when taken as a supplement. The most common side effects are mild: abdominal fullness, indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea.

Rare cases of headache, insomnia, and dizziness have been reported in clinical studies. Because dried prickly pear cactus swells significantly when it absorbs liquid, very large amounts might pose a risk, though serious complications like intestinal blockage are extremely rare and linked to eating a large number of whole fruits.

There isn't enough safety data to recommend this supplement during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

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.

If you take any antidiabetes drugs — especially chlorpropamide, glyburide, glipizide, or metformin — double-check with your pharmacist before using this product. Combining prickly pear cactus with these medications can increase your risk of low blood sugar.

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.

Prickly pear cactus is worth considering if you have type 2 diabetes and are looking for a possibly helpful supplement — but only if you're not already on antidiabetes medication, or if your doctor is monitoring your blood sugar closely. If you're taking any blood sugar medication, check with your pharmacist before starting.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 23, 2023.

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 Pickly Pear Cactus Powder, straight from the product label.

Brand TerraVita Premium Collection
Barcode (UPC) 064435108960
Net contents 1 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 23, 2023
DSLD ID 282206
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection, 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:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
28
UPC/BARCODE
064435108960
IngredientAmount% DV
Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder1000 mg--

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 Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2004 TerraVita - Distributed by ZooScape LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions Stir 1/4 of a teaspoon into a glass of water and consume 3 times daily, with meals.

General Statements

TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium natural products that use the finest, purest and most potent ingredients in the world. TerraVita's hallmarks are the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All products are prepared with the greatest quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, right up to the moment your product is sealed for freshness and shipped to you.

Please recycle!

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Statements not evaluated by FDA. Product 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

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection label

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

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder 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 Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection

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

Serving size0.25 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container28 Amounts shown are per serving.

Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder

Interacts with
86 drugs
1000 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...

Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pickly Pear Cactus Powder?

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

Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Pickly Pear Cactus Powder interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Pickly Pear Cactus Powder interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Pickly Pear Cactus Powder 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.

Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder1 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
Prickly Pear Cactus, Powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Pickly Pear Cactus Powder, from the product label.

TerraVita Premium Collection

See all TerraVita Premium Collection products
Name
TerraVita Fine Whole Herbs
City
Brampton
State
Ontario
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection: Common Questions

Does Pickly Pear Cactus Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pickly Pear Cactus Powder 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?
Pickly Pear Cactus Powder 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.
What is prickly pear cactus, and what's it supposed to do?
Prickly pear cactus is a plant, and this powder is made from it. The evidence shows it's possibly effective for type 2 diabetes. For other conditions like high cholesterol, enlarged prostate, or cognitive decline, we don't have enough reliable evidence yet to know whether it helps.
What side effects might I get from taking this?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are mild — bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea. Rare cases of headache, dizziness, and insomnia have been reported in clinical trials. These effects are generally mild and don't affect everyone.
Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know. The supplement amounts haven't been studied well in pregnancy or lactation, so we advise against using this supplement during those times. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
Can I take this if I'm on diabetes medication?
That depends on which medication you're taking. Prickly pear cactus can lower blood sugar, so combining it with drugs like metformin, glyburide, or glipizide increases your risk of low blood sugar. Check with your pharmacist first — you may be able to take it with close monitoring.
Are there any fillers or inactive ingredients in this powder?
No — this product is just the prickly pear cactus powder with no other inactive ingredients added.

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

Not sure if Pickly Pear Cactus Powder is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Pickly Pear Cactus Powder’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

Pickly Pear Cactus Powder'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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