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Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Bounty

Saw Palmetto label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule 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 Saw Palmetto 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

Saw Palmetto is a dietary supplement by Nature's Bounty 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 4:1 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 Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty

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 Sep 10, 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: Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract, a concentrated form of the berry from the saw palmetto plant. The extract also includes inactive ingredients—soybean oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, soy lecithin, and natural caramel color—that serve as the capsule shell and carriers.

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 Saw Palmetto's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Saw Palmetto 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: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for saw palmetto is mixed. For transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a surgical procedure, it's possibly effective, though the data are limited.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), the research suggests it's possibly ineffective. For other uses—chronic bronchitis, hair loss, and lower urinary tract symptoms—we don't hold enough reliable evidence to rate how well it works.

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 in adults, with mild and reversible side effects when they do occur. The most common ones are abdominal pain, constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and sinus irritation.

A few rare cases of skin reactions and cardiac symptoms (like irregular heartbeat or chest pain) have been reported, though these are not common. Do not use saw palmetto during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

The safety data advises against it because of possible effects on hormones and a lack of safety information. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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 Saw Palmetto, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin)—saw palmetto may increase bleeding risk. Also verify any estrogens or contraceptive medications you're taking, since saw palmetto might reduce how well they work.

Use the medication search tool on this page to look up your exact drugs.

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.

Saw palmetto may be worth considering if you have symptoms related to prostate or urinary function and want to explore a supplement option—but the evidence of benefit is limited. Because it can interact with blood thinners, birth control, and hormone therapy, check with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications before starting.

It's not safe in pregnancy or while 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 Dec 23, 2011.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Bounty
Barcode (UPC) 074312015915
Net contents 30 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 23, 2011
DSLD ID 4138
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (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 Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty, 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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
UPC/BARCODE
074312015915
IngredientAmount% DV
Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy Lecithin, natural Caramel color

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

HERBAL SUPPLEMENT

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adult men, take one (1) softgel once or twice daily, preferably with a meal.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

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

Do not use if blister seal is cut, torn or broken.

If you are taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18.

WARNING: This product is intended for use by men and is not intended for use by women.

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.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

1000 mg equivalent

Concentrated Herb

NATURAL HERB

Men all over the world are discovering the beneficial properties of Saw Palmetto. Saw Palmetto is derived from the berries of the Saw Palmetto tree, and is the leading herb for men’s health.* Saw Palmetto contains phytochemicals, which support prostate and urinary health in men.* Our Saw Palmetto formula is fully assayed and tested. This means that you receive a dietary supplement that is superior in purity and quality. So discover the beneficial properties of Saw Palmetto - specially designed for a man’s prostate health.* Each Nature’s Bounty Softgel provides you with a whole herb concentrate in a convenient, soft gelatin capsule. We start with the whole raw herb; eliminate the bulk of the cellulose and other inert ingredients to produce a concentrated extract that retains the botanical’s original phytochemicals. These extracts are traditionally described as a ratio. A 4:1 extract, for example, means that four parts of raw herb have been condensed down to one part herbal concentrate.

Promotes Prostate & Urinary Health in Men*

General Statements

(C)2010 Nature’s Bounty, Inc.

Part No. 22-1592

Prostate Health*

RAPID RELEASE LIQUID SOFTGEL

General

Prod. No. 1591 06C B1591 CAZ

Brand IP Statement(s)

Nutrition Questions or Comments? Call NutraPhone(R) 1-800-433-2990 Mon. - Fri. 9 AM - 7 PM ET

Formulation

No Artificial Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.

Seals/Symbols

(recycle) Healthy you Healthy earth

LABORATORY TESTED GUARANTEED QUALITY

NATURE'S BOUNTY(R)

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

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty label

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

Saw Palmetto 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 Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty

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

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract

Interacts with
174 drugs
250 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 4:1 extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy Lecithin, Natural Caramel color. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto?

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

Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract 174

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Saw Palmetto interact with 174 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Saw Palmetto interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saw Palmetto 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 Palmetto 4:1 extract3 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
Saw Palmetto 4:1 extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Nature's Bounty

See all Nature's Bounty products
Web Address
www.NaturesBounty.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto by Nature's Bounty interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto 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 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.
Can I take saw palmetto if I'm on birth control?
Not without checking first. Saw palmetto may interfere with how contraceptive drugs work and reduce their effectiveness. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it alongside birth control.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common ones are mild and reversible: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and sinus irritation. You might also notice decreased libido. Most people tolerate it well, and side effects are infrequent.
Is saw palmetto safe during pregnancy?
No. The safety data advise against use during pregnancy because of possible effects on hormones and a lack of safety information. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Can I breastfeed while taking saw palmetto?
No. There isn't enough safety information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're nursing and considering this product.
Does saw palmetto actually work for prostate problems?
The evidence is weak. For one specific surgical procedure (TURP), it's possibly effective, but for enlarged prostate itself, the research suggests it's possibly ineffective. For other urinary symptoms, we don't hold enough reliable data to say how well it works.
What if I'm taking a blood thinner like warfarin?
You need to talk with your doctor or pharmacist first. Saw palmetto may prolong bleeding time and increase your risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. Don't start it without clearing it with them.

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

Not sure if Saw Palmetto 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 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Saw Palmetto’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Saw Palmetto

Interacts with 174 drugs

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 better than a placebo for most men, though i...

Read the full Saw Palmetto monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Saw Palmetto'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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