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Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Meijer

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Saw Palmetto 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Meijer with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) symptoms, urinary problems, hair loss.Based on those ingredients, 174 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Saw Palmetto. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer

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: saw palmetto at 500 mg per capsule. Saw palmetto is an herbal extract from the berries of the saw palmetto plant, traditionally used for urinary and prostate health.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — gelatin, silica, and magnesium stearate — which help form and stabilize the supplement.

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 Saw Palmetto's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Men's health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Androgenic alopecia — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Androgenic alopecia, Prostate cancer, Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Prostatitis, and more.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate), the evidence rates saw palmetto as possibly ineffective. For transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), it's rated possibly effective, though the data is limited.

For other uses listed — chronic bronchitis, hair loss, and lower urinary tract symptoms — we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. If you're considering this for a specific condition, talk it over with your doctor to see whether the evidence supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Saw Palmetto

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.

Saw palmetto is generally well tolerated, and side effects tend to be mild and reversible. The most common ones reported in studies are abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, decreased libido, vomiting, and rhinitis.

Rarely, skin reactions (including fixed drug eruptions with blisters) and heart rhythm issues have been reported; a few cases of severely low heart rate and heart block were documented, though these are uncommon. Do not use saw palmetto during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

The safety data is insufficient, and the ingredient may affect hormones — the facts rate it as likely unsafe in pregnancy and lactation. If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering this supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Saw Palmetto

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 — Saw Palmetto.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 174 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 taking this product, double-check it with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel) — saw palmetto may increase your risk of bleeding. Also flag it if you're taking estrogens or birth control pills, as saw palmetto may reduce their effectiveness.

Altogether, these interactions span 174 individual medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Saw palmetto may be worth considering if you're exploring options for certain prostate-related conditions, but it comes with real medication interactions — especially with blood thinners and birth control. If you take any prescription medications, particularly anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, estrogens, or contraceptives, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement.

It's not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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 Aug 23, 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 Saw Palmetto 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Meijer
Barcode (UPC) 708820029781
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2022
DSLD ID 271981
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (18-50 Years), Dairy Free, Sugar Free
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 Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
708820029781
IngredientAmount% DV
Saw Palmetto500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Silica, Magnesium Stearate

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.
Formulation

Herbal

Contains naturally harvested herbal products. Color variation is possible.

No sugar, starch, sodium, yeast, corn, wheat, dairy, egg, artificial colors, preservatives.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Men's health

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statements has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Tamper-Evident Seal: Do not use product if seal appears tampered.

Caution: This product is intended for men only and not for women.

If you are taking any medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before use.

Discontinue use and consult your physician if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Adults - Take one capsule daily, preferably with food, as a dietary supplement.

Storage

Store in a dry place under controlled room temperature: 20 degrees - 25 degrees C (68 degrees - 77 degrees F).

Seals/Symbols

Our quality guarantee The Meijer Family www.meijer.com/satisfaction

General Statements

Questions or comments? 1-888-860-5376

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Saw Palmetto

Interacts with
174 drugs
500 mg per serving

Saw palmetto is a plant extract most often used for urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate (BPH). The best research suggests it works no bett...

Saw Palmetto monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Silica, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto 500 mg?

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
174Drugs
174 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saw Palmetto 500 mg 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.

Saw Palmetto3 drug types · 174 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Saw palmetto might increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Saw palmetto is reported to prolong bleeding time. Theoretically, it might increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Saw palmetto might reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive drugs.
Saw palmetto might have antiestrogenic effects. Theoretically, it might interfere with contraceptive drugs taken concomitantly.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Estrogens

Saw palmetto might reduce the effectiveness of estrogens.
Saw palmetto might have antiestrogenic effects. Theoretically, it might interfere with estrogens taken concomitantly.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Saw Palmetto 500 mg, from the product label.

Meijer

See all Meijer products
Name
Meijer Distribution, Inc.
City
Grand Rapids
State
MI
ZipCode
49544
Phone Number
1-888-860-5376
Web Address
www.meijer.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto 500 mg by Meijer interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto 500 mg has a known interaction with 174 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Saw Palmetto 500 mg 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 saw palmetto affect my birth control?
Possibly. Saw palmetto may have antiestrogenic effects and could theoretically interfere with how well your contraceptive works. If you're on birth control, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this supplement to make sure it's safe for you.
Can I take this if I'm on a blood thinner like warfarin?
You need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Saw palmetto is reported to prolong bleeding time, so it may increase your risk of bleeding if combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel.
Is saw palmetto safe during pregnancy?
No. Saw palmetto is rated as likely unsafe in pregnancy because of possible effects on hormones and a lack of safety data. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid this product and talk with your doctor about safer alternatives.
What side effects might I notice?
Most side effects are mild and infrequent. The ones reported most often are abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and decreased libido. Serious side effects (like skin reactions or heart rhythm problems) are rare but have been reported in individual cases.
Does saw palmetto actually work for an enlarged prostate?
The evidence is limited. For benign prostatic hyperplasia, it's rated as possibly ineffective. If you're dealing with prostate symptoms, talk with your doctor about what the science supports for your specific situation.
Can I breastfeed while taking this?
No. Saw palmetto is rated as likely unsafe while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information. Avoid this product if you're nursing, and discuss your options with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Not sure if Saw Palmetto 500 mg 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.

Saw Palmetto 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Saw Palmetto 500 mg'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 22 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.

Saw Palmetto 22 references
  1. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. JAMA 1998;280:1604-9. PubMed
  2. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate 1996;29:231-40. DOI
  3. Di Silverio F, D'Eramo G, Lubrano C, et al. Evidence that Serenoa repens extract displays an antiestrogenic activity in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. Eur Urol 1992;21:309-14. PubMed
  4. Stepanov VN, Siniakova LA, Sarrazin B, Raynaud JP. Efficacy and tolerability of the lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a double-blind comparison of two dosage regimens. Adv Ther 1999;16:231-41.
  5. Cheema P, El-Mefty O, Jazieh AR. Intraoperative haemorrhage associated with the use of extract of Saw Palmetto herb: a case report and review of literature. J Intern Med 2001;250:167-9. PubMed
  6. Jibrin I, Erinle A, Saidi A, Aliyu ZY. Saw palmetto-induced pancreatitis. South Med J 2006;99:611-2. PubMed
  7. Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med 2002
  8. Avins AL, Bent S, Staccone S, et al. A detailed safety assessment of a saw palmetto extract. Complement Ther Med 2008;16:147-54. PubMed
  9. Morgia, G., Mucciardi, G., Gali, A., Madonia, M., Marchese, F., Di, Benedetto A., Romano, G., Bonvissuto, G., Castelli, T., Macchione, L., and Magno, C. Treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome category IIIA with Serenoa repens plus
  10. Aliaev, IuG, Vinarov, A. Z., Lokshin, K. L., and Spivak, L. G. [Efficiency and safety of prostamol-Uno in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis]. Urologiia. 2006;(1):47-50.
  11. Agbabiaka, T. B., Pittler, M. H., Wider, B., and Ernst, E. Serenoa repens (saw palmetto): a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Saf 2009;32(8):637-647. PubMed
  12. Wargo, K. A., Allman, E., and Ibrahim, F. A possible case of saw palmetto-induced pancreatitis. South.Med.J. 2010;103(7):683-685. PubMed
  13. Lapi, F., Gallo, E., Giocaliere, E., Vietri, M., Baronti, R., Pieraccini, G., Tafi, A., Menniti-Ippolito, F., Mugelli, A., Firenzuoli, F., and Vannacci, A. Acute liver damage due to Serenoa repens: a case report. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69(5):558-560.
  14. Mantovani, F. Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hypertrophy: analysis of 2 Italian studies. Minerva Urol.Nefrol. 2010;62(4):335-340.
  15. Hanaka, M., Yoshii, C., Yatera, K., Ito, C., Chojin, Y., Nagata, S., Yamasaki, K., Nishida, C., Kawanami, T., Kawanami, Y., Ishimoto, H., and Mukae, H. [A case of rhabdomyolysis caused by saw palmetto of healthy foods]. J.UOEH. 6-1-2012;34(2):193-199. PubMed
  16. Miroddi, M., Carni, A., Mannucci, C., Moleti, M., Navarra, M., and Calapai, G. Hot flashes in a young girl: a wake-up call concerning Serenoa repens use in children. Pediatrics 2012;130(5):e1374-e1376.
  17. Braeckman J. The extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicenter open study. Current Therapeutic Research 1994;55(7):776-785. DOI
  18. Jipescu D, Patel A, Bohra H, Pientka A. Rare case of saw palmetto induced heart block. JACC 2017;69(11) supplement:2310.
  19. Morabito P, Miroddi M, Giovinazzo S, Spina E, Calapai G. Serenoa repens as an endocrine disruptor in a 10-year-Old young girl: a new case report. Pharmacology. 2015;96(1-2):41-3. doi: 10.1159/000431327.
  20. Gammoudi R, Ameur K, Ouni B, et al. Fixed drug eruption to Serenoa repens: first case report and consideration of the use of herbal medicine. Dermatol Ther 2020 Aug 29:e14247.
  21. Paulis G, Paulis A, Perletti G. Serenoa repens and its effects on male sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Arch Ital Urol Androl 2021;93(4):475-480. PubMed
  22. Venkateswaran S, Declet-Bauzo R, Shodeinde M, Gilford P. Postoperative Retroperitoneal Hematoma: A Case of Saw Palmetto and the Importance of Primary Care Intervention. HCA Healthc J Med 2020;1(5):279-282. PubMed

See these in context on the Saw Palmetto 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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