No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Prebiotic Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Capsule Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

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.

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 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: NutraFlora scFOS, a branded form of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). FOS is a prebiotic fiber — it's a type of carbohydrate that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients (hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium laurate, and silica) that serve as the capsule material and binding agents.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)'s own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: friendly flora support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, Travelers' diarrhea, Dysbiosis, Gut microbiome, Intestinal health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Travelers' diarrhea.

The evidence for FOS and what it can do isn't established yet in the data we hold. Studies haven't produced reliable findings on whether it helps with osteoporosis, constipation, blood sugar control, travelers' diarrhea, or cholesterol levels.

If you're thinking about taking it for one of those reasons, talking it over with your doctor can help you decide whether it makes sense for you.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)

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.

FOS is generally well tolerated, especially in the amounts you'd eat in food. The main side effects are digestive — abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and intestinal sounds.

These tend to be mild at doses under 10 grams daily, and a review of clinical studies found that FOS at doses between 2.5 and 15 grams per day for up to 8 weeks didn't increase these symptoms compared to placebo. That said, supplement-level doses haven't been studied extensively, so if you're considering this product, it's worth checking with your doctor first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check. That doesn't mean none exist — it just means the research we hold shows none so far.

If you take any medications, it's still a good idea to run them through the tool on this page or ask your pharmacist before you start.

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 is a straightforward prebiotic supplement with no documented medication interactions. Because the evidence for what FOS actually does is still incomplete, and because digestive side effects are possible (especially at higher doses), talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can help you figure out if it's a fit for what you're hoping to address.

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 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 Prebiotic, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614190495
Net contents 30 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 21, 2019
DSLD ID 206405
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
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 Prebiotic by Swanson, 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:
2 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
087614190495
IngredientAmount% DV
Total Carbohydrates1 Gram(s)1%
Total Sugars1 Gram(s)--
NutraFlora scFOS750 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Laurate, Silica

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

For friendly flora support

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

NutraFlora Prebiotic - Soluble Fiber

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: Package contains desiccant packet to maintain freshness. Do not eat the desiccant packet. Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

Prebiotic by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

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 container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

NutraFlora scFOS

No known
interactions
750 mg per serving Form: Total Fructooligosaccharides

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 & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Laurate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

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.

The maker

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
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Prebiotic by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Prebiotic by Swanson interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Prebiotic. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Prebiotic 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 does FOS actually do?
FOS is a prebiotic fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your gut. People take it hoping it might help with digestion, cholesterol, blood sugar, or bone health, but the evidence for those benefits isn't solid yet in the research we have on hand.
Will this make me bloated or gassy?
FOS can cause gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort, especially when you first start taking it or at higher doses. Most people find these side effects are mild and often fade over time. Studies show that doses under 10 grams daily are generally well tolerated.
Is it safe to take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data for FOS in pregnancy and lactation isn't on file in our system. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
How much should I take?
The facts we have show that clinical studies used doses ranging from 2.5 to 15 grams daily, but we don't have the specific dosing recommendation for this product on file. Follow the label instructions and check with your pharmacist if you're unsure.
Does this product have fillers?
Yes, it contains inactive ingredients (hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium laurate, and silica) that make up the capsule and bind the ingredients together. These are standard in most supplements.

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.

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.

Prebiotic label
Sources

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.

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
  1. Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7.
  2. 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
  3. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. PubMed
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

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