Pygeum Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Swanson
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Pygeum 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
Pygeum is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) symptoms, urinary symptoms in men, prostate health.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 Pygeum 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
Swanson Pygeum contains two active ingredients: pygeum africanum (the whole herb) and pygeum africanum bark extract. Both are sourced from the African plum tree and serve the same purpose in this product.
The capsules also contain gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients to hold everything together.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
Pygeum is likely effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — enlarged prostate in men — based on the evidence we hold. For Alzheimer disease, sexual desire, psychosis, and malaria, the research is too limited or unreliable to know whether it works.
If you're taking this for prostate health, the ingredient data supports its use; for other reasons, talk with your doctor about whether there's solid evidence behind it.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Pygeum has been generally well tolerated in short-term studies, though nausea and abdominal pain showed up in some trials — but at rates similar to placebo, so they're not clearly caused by the herb itself. The big caveat is that long-term safety data are limited, and quality can vary between products.
Because pygeum is used for men's prostate health, it has no established safe use in pregnancy, and there isn't enough safety information to recommend it while breastfeeding.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented for the ingredients we could check in this product. Before you take it, use the search tool on this page with your exact medications, and talk with your own doctor or pharmacist to make sure nothing changes how your drugs work.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
If you're a man dealing with BPH symptoms, this product has solid evidence behind it and generally caused no more side effects than a dummy pill in the trials. Long-term safety data are sparse, though, so it's worth checking in with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting — especially if you take other medications or have any health conditions they should know about.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 16, 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
General information
Key facts about Pygeum, straight from the product 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 Pygeum by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Pygeum africanum | 400 mg | -- |
| Pygeum africanum Bark Extract | 26 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate
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.
General Statements
swanson.com or call 1-800-437-4148
Science-Backed Quality Since 1969
Formulation
Supports prostate health Supports urinary tract health Maintains bladder health
Prostate Health
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two times per day with water.
Precautions
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.
Formula
Featuring Pygeum Bark and Extract
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Pygeum 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 Pygeum by Swanson
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container120 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.
Pygeum africanum
No knowninteractions
Pygeum is an extract from the bark of the African cherry tree that is most often used to ease urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate. Some st...
Pygeum africanum monograph & interactionsPygeum africanum Bark Extract
No knowninteractions
Pygeum is an extract from the bark of the African cherry tree that is most often used to ease urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate. Some st...
Pygeum africanum Bark Extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Pygeum by Swanson Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Pygeum. 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 Pygeum, 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
Pygeum by Swanson: Common Questions
Does Pygeum by Swanson interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Does pygeum actually help with prostate problems?
What side effects should I watch for?
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Is this safe long-term?
How much should I take?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Pygeum 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 Pygeum’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Pygeum'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 3 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.
Pygeum 3 references
- Ishani A, MacDonald R, Nelson D, et al. Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis. Am J Med 2000;109:654-64.. PubMed
- Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R, et al. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;CD001044.. PubMed
- Andro M and Riffaud J. Pygeum africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review of 25 years of published experience. Curr Ther Res 1995;56(8):796-817. DOI
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