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Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
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 Maximum Strength 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 Maximum Strength is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 2 active ingredients. 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 Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry 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 Maximum Strength by Swanson

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength 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.

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains two active ingredients: certified organic pumpkin seed oil and a supercritical CO2 saw palmetto berry extract. The two ingredients work together as the formula—the saw palmetto is the primary active component historically used for prostate and urinary symptoms, while the pumpkin seed oil adds nutritional support.

You're getting 2 active ingredients total in each softgel, along with inactive ingredients (gelatin, glycerin, and purified water) that make up the capsule.

Does it work?

Leans against
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
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promotes healthy urinary tract flow and prostate 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), urinary symptoms — and 1 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 Prostate cancer, Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Prostatitis, Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Saw palmetto shows mixed evidence for the conditions it's used for. It's rated possibly effective for one specific urinary procedure (TURP), but possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—the most common reason people take it.

For chronic bronchitis, male-pattern baldness, and general lower urinary tract symptoms, we don't have enough reliable evidence to know whether it works. If you're considering this for prostate or urinary symptoms, talk it over with your doctor about what the evidence actually shows and whether it's the right choice for you.

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 most side effects that do occur are mild and reversible. The most common ones include abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, decreased libido, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and mild sinus irritation.

Rarely, skin reactions (including a fixed drug eruption with blisters) or heart-related effects like irregular heartbeat or changes in blood pressure have been reported, though these are uncommon. Saw palmetto is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy because of possible hormonal effects and lack of safety data, and should also be avoided while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information.

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 take this, 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 confirm it with them if you're taking estrogens or hormonal birth control, since saw palmetto might make these less effective.

We could not check the pumpkin seed oil ingredient, so run your full medication list through the search tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength is most relevant for people exploring herbal options for prostate or urinary concerns, though the evidence for these uses is limited. You should be cautious if you take blood thinners, birth control, or hormone replacement—check those specific medications with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Because of the moderate interactions documented and the lack of strong evidence for its main uses, it's worth discussing whether this product makes sense for your situation before you start.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2019.

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 Maximum Strength, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614142210
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2019
DSLD ID 204096
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength by Swanson, 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
087614142210
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Pumpkin seed Oil75 mg--
Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract320 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water

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.
General Statements

Promotes healthy urinary tract flow and frequency Helps maintain hormonal balance Science-backed quality since 1969

Formula

Supports prostate health

Prostate Health

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel one to 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 if you have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

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

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength by Swanson label

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

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength 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 Maximum Strength by Swanson

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule 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.

Certified organic Pumpkin seed Oil

75 mg per serving

Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract

Interacts with
174 drugs
320 mg per serving Form: Fatty Acids

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...

Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength?

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

Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract 174

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 2 ingredients in Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength 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.

Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry 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
Supercritical CO2 Saw Palmetto berry extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength, 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
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength 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 Maximum Strength contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 this if I'm on birth control?
Probably not without checking first. Saw palmetto may interfere with how hormonal contraceptives work because it has antiestrogenic effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining them—they can help you decide if it's safe or if you need a different product.
Will it actually help my urinary symptoms?
The evidence is weak. Saw palmetto is rated possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is what most people use it for, and there isn't enough reliable data for general urinary tract symptoms. Your doctor can talk with you about whether it's worth trying or if other options might work better.
What are the most common side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. When side effects do happen, they're usually mild and go away on their own—things like stomach upset, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness, headache, or fatigue. Decreases in libido have also been reported. Serious side effects are rare.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Saw palmetto is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy because of possible effects on hormones and lack of safety data, and should be avoided while breastfeeding too. If you're pregnant or nursing, don't take this product—talk to your doctor about what's safe for you.
Can I take this with my blood thinner?
Not without checking with your doctor first. Saw palmetto may increase bleeding time and could raise your bleeding risk if you're on warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. Your pharmacist or doctor needs to weigh the risks before you combine them.
What's in this besides saw palmetto?
The other active ingredient is certified organic pumpkin seed oil. The capsule itself contains gelatin, glycerin, and purified water as inactive ingredients—standard materials to hold and deliver the product.

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

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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 Maximum Strength label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Saw Palmetto Maximum Strength’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 Maximum Strength'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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