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Dietary supplement

Prickly Pear Cactus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by TerraVita

Prickly Pear Cactus label
See full label image
Liquid 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 Prickly Pear Cactus 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

Prickly Pear Cactus is a dietary supplement by TerraVita 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 Glycerite Liquid Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita

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 glycerite liquid extract. It's made as a liquid concentrate to make dosing easier.

The extract is suspended in glycerin, which acts as a carrier and preservative.

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).

The evidence for prickly pear cactus is mixed. It's rated possibly effective for type 2 diabetes — some studies suggest it may help with blood sugar control.

For age-related cognitive decline, benign prostatic hyperplasia, indigestion, and high cholesterol, the evidence we hold isn't strong enough to rate it 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.

Prickly pear cactus is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, but supplement safety is less studied. The most common side effects are stomach-related: mild diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and abdominal fullness.

Rare side effects include headache, dizziness, and insomnia — reported in a small number of trial participants. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety data, so avoid supplement amounts.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.

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.

Before starting this supplement, double-check it with any antidiabetes drugs you take — especially metformin, glyburide, glipizide, or chlorpropamide. The combination raises your low blood sugar risk and needs monitoring.

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 may help with type 2 diabetes, but it works on blood sugar — so if you take diabetes medications, you need to monitor your glucose closely and talk to your pharmacist first. It's generally well tolerated, though stomach upset can happen.

Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding without professional guidance.

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 Dec 13, 2022.

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 Prickly Pear Cactus , straight from the product label.

Brand TerraVita
Barcode (UPC) 064435233860
Net contents 1 Fluid Ounce(s); 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 13, 2022
DSLD ID 279417
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses 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 Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita, 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:
25 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
40 Drop(s)
Servings per container
227
UPC/BARCODE
064435233860
IngredientAmount% DV
Prickly Pear Cactus Glycerite Liquid Extract0.13 mL--

Other ingredients: Glycerin

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)

Copyright 2018 TerraVita - Distributed by ZooScape LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Formula

Glycerite liquid extract (1:5)

Formulation

Alcohol free No flavor

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 25-40 drops of extract in a small amount of warm water 3-4 times daily. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Keep away from children.

Do not use if safety seal around cap is broken or missing.

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

See for yourself

Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita label

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

Prickly Pear Cactus 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 Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita

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

Serving size25 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container227 Amounts shown are per serving.

Prickly Pear Cactus Glycerite Liquid Extract

Interacts with
86 drugs
0.13 mL 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 Glycerite Liquid Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Prickly Pear Cactus ?

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 Glycerite Liquid Extract 86

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 1 ingredient in Prickly Pear Cactus interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Prickly Pear Cactus Glycerite Liquid Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Prickly Pear Cactus 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 Glycerite Liquid Extract1 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 Glycerite Liquid Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

TerraVita

See all TerraVita products
Name
ZooScape LLC
Phone Number
844-449-0444
Web Address
www.ZooScape.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita: Common Questions

Does Prickly Pear Cactus by TerraVita interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Prickly Pear Cactus 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?
Prickly Pear Cactus 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.
Will this help my type 2 diabetes?
Prickly pear cactus is rated possibly effective for type 2 diabetes, meaning some evidence suggests it may help with blood sugar control. But it's not a replacement for your medications — and if you do take it alongside diabetes drugs, you'll need to watch your glucose levels closely.
What side effects should I expect?
Most people experience mild stomach effects: diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, or belly fullness. A small number of trial participants reported headache, dizziness, or trouble sleeping. These aren't common, but they can happen.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
There isn't enough safety data for supplement amounts during pregnancy, so it's best to avoid it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant or planning to be.
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for supplement amounts while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're nursing.
What does the glycerin do?
Glycerin is an inactive ingredient that acts as a carrier for the prickly pear cactus extract and helps preserve it.

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

Not sure if Prickly Pear Cactus 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.

Prickly Pear Cactus label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Prickly Pear Cactus ’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

Prickly Pear Cactus '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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