Prebiotic Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Swanson
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Prebiotic 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
Prebiotic is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive and gut health, prebiotic to support good bacteria, constipation relief.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Prebiotic by Swanson
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 one active ingredient: NutraFlora scFOS, a prebiotic fiber derived from fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Prebiotics work by feeding the beneficial bacteria already living in your gut, rather than adding bacteria themselves as probiotics do.
The capsule itself is made from hypromellose (a plant-based film), microcrystalline cellulose (a bulking agent), calcium laurate, and silica — all inactive ingredients that help hold the product together.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence for FOS in the conditions it's marketed for — osteoporosis, constipation, diabetes management, travelers' diarrhea, and high cholesterol — is currently insufficient. We don't hold reliable evidence that it works for any of these uses at supplement doses.
If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether the research supports it for your situation.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
FOS is generally well tolerated at food amounts, but supplement doses haven't been studied extensively, so professional guidance is wise if you're using it regularly. The most common side effects are gas, bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain — especially at higher doses.
Interestingly, a review of small clinical trials found that doses between 2.5 and 15 grams daily for up to 8 weeks did not increase these symptoms more than placebo, though some people do report them at lower doses. Start low and give your system time to adjust.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
Swanson Prebiotic offers a simple prebiotic fiber with no documented drug interactions, making it a low-friction choice if your doctor suggests a prebiotic. Just know the evidence for its effectiveness in specific conditions isn't yet solid, and gas and bloating can happen, especially when you first start.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether a prebiotic makes sense for your gut health goals.
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 May 28, 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
General information
Key facts about Prebiotic, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Swanson |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 087614190396 |
| Net contents | 120 Veggie Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | May 28, 2019 |
| DSLD ID | 203231 |
| Product type | Fiber And Other Nutrients |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Prebiotic by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrates | 1 Gram(s) | 1% |
| Total Sugars | 1 Gram(s) | -- |
| NutraFlora scFOS | 750 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Laurate, Silica
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.
Formula
Prebiotic fiber promotes healthy microflora in the digestive system
NutraFlora Prebiotic Soluble Fiber
FOS from NutraFlora
General Statements
Nourishes probiotic organisms to help them flourish Science-Backed Quality Since 1969
For friendly flora support Digestive health 375 mg per capsule
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take two veggie capsules per day in the morning, preferably with a probiotic.
Brand IP Statement(s)
NutraFlora and scFOS are registered trademarks of the Ingredion group of companies.
Precautions
Note: Product contains a desiccant packet to maintain freshness. Do not eat the desiccant packet.
Warning: For adults only.
Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal is broken.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
General
SWA039 Rev 3 08 06 18
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Prebiotic by Swanson 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 Prebiotic by Swanson
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.
NutraFlora scFOS
No knowninteractions
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the helpful bacteria in your gut. They are gener...
NutraFlora scFOS monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Laurate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Prebiotic by Swanson Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Prebiotic. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Prebiotic, from the product label.
Swanson
See all Swanson products- Name
- Swanson Health Products
- City
- Fargo
- State
- ND
- ZipCode
- 58104
- Phone Number
- 1-800-437-4148
- Web Address
- swanson.com
Prebiotic by Swanson: Common Questions
Does Prebiotic by Swanson interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What exactly is a prebiotic, and how is it different from a probiotic?
Will this give me gas and bloating?
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does this actually work for constipation, cholesterol, or diabetes?
What are the inactive ingredients, and are there fillers?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Prebiotic is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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 Prebiotic’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Prebiotic'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 6 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.
Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) 6 references
- Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7.
- Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. PubMed
- Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. PubMed
- Souza DDS, Tahan S, Weber TK, Araujo-Filho HB, de Morais MB. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial assessing the effect of fructooligosaccharides in infants with constipation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). pii: E1602. PubMed
- Andermann TM, Fouladi F, Tamburini FB, et al. A Fructo-Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Is Well Tolerated in Adults Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2021;27(11):932. PubMed
- Dou Y, Yu X, Luo Y, Chen B, Ma D, Zhu J. Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Human: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3298. PubMed
See these in context on the Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) 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