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Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BulkSupplements.com

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

Saw Palmetto Extract is a dietary supplement by BulkSupplements.com 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 Fruit Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com

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 a single active ingredient: saw palmetto fruit extract. There are no inactive ingredients listed.

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 varies by use. For transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), it's possibly effective.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the data suggests it's possibly ineffective. For chronic bronchitis, androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss), and non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether 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, and side effects that do occur tend to be mild and reversible. The most common ones include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and decreased libido.

Rare cases of heart-related effects — like changes in blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, or chest pain — have been reported, though they're uncommon. Avoid this product during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Saw palmetto is likely unsafe in pregnancy because of possible effects on hormones and lack of safety data. There isn't enough safety information for breastfeeding either.

If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

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 you start, double-check if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin) — saw palmetto may increase bleeding risk. Also check if you're on estrogens or contraceptive drugs, since saw palmetto may reduce their effectiveness.

Use the medication search tool on this page to look up your specific prescriptions.

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're looking at it for prostate-related concerns, though the evidence is mixed. If you take blood thinners, estrogens, or birth control, check your exact medications with the tool on this page first.

Avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Chat with your pharmacist about whether it's right for your situation.

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 Jul 25, 2024.

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 Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand BulkSupplements.com
Barcode (UPC) X001J7TPAP
Net contents 100 Gram(s); 3.5 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 311538
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Extract by BulkSupplements.com, 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:
1000 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
1000 mg
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
X001J7TPAP
IngredientAmount% DV
Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract1000 mg--

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)

BulkSupplements.com Clean & Pure Bulk Supplements

Formulation

Color may vary

Free of: Added sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten, additives.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Warning: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1000 mg (about 2/5 tsp) once daily, or as directed by a physician.

Storage

Store in a dry, cool place.

General Statements

Use an accurate milligram scale. Contents are sold by weight, not volume. Settling may occur. New

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com

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

Serving size1000 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract

Interacts with
174 drugs
1000 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 Fruit Extract monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto Extract?

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 Extract 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 Fruit 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
The maker

Brand information

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

BulkSupplements.com

See all BulkSupplements.com products
Name
BulkSupplements.com
Street Address
7511 Eastgate Rd
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Web Address
BulkSupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto Extract by BulkSupplements.com interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto Extract 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 Extract 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 have antiestrogenic effects and theoretically could interfere with how well your contraceptive works. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about your specific birth control before starting this product.
Can I take this while pregnant?
No — saw palmetto is likely unsafe during pregnancy because of possible effects on hormones and lack of safety data. Avoid it if you're pregnant or trying to conceive.
Is saw palmetto actually effective for prostate or hair loss?
The evidence is mixed. For transurethral resection of the prostate (a surgical procedure), it's possibly effective. For benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), the data suggests it's possibly ineffective. For hair loss, we don't have enough reliable evidence yet.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild and reversible ones, mostly: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and decreased libido. Serious side effects like heart rhythm changes are rare but have been reported.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety information. Avoid saw palmetto while breastfeeding and talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions.

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

Not sure if Saw Palmetto Extract 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.

Saw Palmetto Extract label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Saw Palmetto Extract'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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