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Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum 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 Plus 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) symptoms, urinary symptoms in men, prostate health.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 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 Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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 supplement contains 2 active ingredients: pygeum africanum bark extract and saw palmetto berry extract. Both are plant-based extracts traditionally used for prostate health.

The inactive ingredients—gelatin, glycerin, caramel color, and titanium dioxide—are excipients that form the softgel capsule and don't provide therapeutic benefit.

Does it work?

Strong 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
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Prostate health and urinary function support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), prostate symptoms, male urinary health.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Pygeum is rated "Likely Effective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • Also on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Prostatitis, Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Saw palmetto is possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), though it shows possibly effective results for transurethral resection of the prostate recovery. Pygeum is likely effective for BPH.

For other conditions listed—chronic bronchitis, androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss), lower urinary tract symptoms, Alzheimer disease, malaria, sexual desire, and psychosis—the evidence we have is insufficient to rate either ingredient reliably.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Pygeum 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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Saw palmetto is generally well tolerated, though it may cause mild and reversible side effects including abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Rare cases of skin reactions (including a fixed drug eruption with blisters) and unusual heart rhythm changes have been reported.

Pygeum is also generally well tolerated short-term, with nausea and abdominal pain reported at rates similar to placebo in studies, though long-term safety data are limited. Both ingredients are not safe in pregnancy — avoid if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Neither ingredient has enough safety data for breastfeeding, so it's best avoided at that time as well. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have heart rhythm concerns.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Pygeum 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 2 matched ingredients 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 supplement, confirm with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate concern), hormonal birth control or estrogen therapy (Moderate concern), or any heart rhythm medications — rare but serious heart effects have been reported with saw palmetto. Run your full medication list through the checker below to catch anything we may have missed.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

This product may help with benign prostate health, particularly through its pygeum content, and is generally mild on the stomach for most people. If you take blood thinners, hormonal contraceptives, or estrogen therapy, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — saw palmetto can interfere with these.

Skip it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

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 Oct 26, 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 Plus Pygeum, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus Standardized
Barcode (UPC) 048107097172
Net contents 60 Softgel Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 26, 2011
DSLD ID 867
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (18-50 Years), Seniors/Mature (>50 Years) - Men ONLY
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 Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
048107097172
IngredientAmount% DV
Pygeum africanum Bark Extract100 mg--
Saw Palmetto Berry Extract320 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide

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 Disclaimer Statement

*This statement has 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

Precautions

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

WARNING: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General

CODE 183703 FLG

General Statements

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

NEW

Potencies verified by GNC procedure #5123 and #5363.

Supports Normal Prostate Function and Healthy Urinary Flow*

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel capsule daily.

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

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized label

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

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum 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 Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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

Serving size1 Capsule(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.

Pygeum africanum Bark Extract

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

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 & interactions

Saw Palmetto Berry Extract

Interacts with
174 drugs
320 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 Berry Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum?

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 Berry Extract 174

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 2 ingredients in Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Saw Palmetto Berry Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum 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 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
Saw Palmetto Berry Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

See all GNC Herbal Plus Standardized products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum 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 Plus Pygeum 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.
Will this affect my birth control?
Saw palmetto might reduce how well hormonal contraceptives work because it can interfere with estrogen in your body. If you rely on birth control, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this supplement — they can help you weigh the risk.
Can I take this with blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin?
Saw palmetto is reported to prolong bleeding time, so there's a Moderate risk of increased bleeding if you combine it with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using them together.
Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Saw palmetto is not safe in pregnancy because of its effects on hormones and lack of safety data. Pygeum also has no established safe use in pregnancy. For breastfeeding, neither ingredient has enough safety information, so it's best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about safer alternatives.
What side effects might I notice?
Mild and reversible effects like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue are the most common. Rare skin reactions and unusual heart rhythms have been reported, so if you notice chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations, stop and contact your doctor right away.
Does this actually work for prostate problems?
Pygeum is likely effective for benign prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto, however, appears possibly ineffective for this condition based on the evidence we have. You may see some benefit, but results vary by person — discuss realistic expectations with your doctor.

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 Plus Pygeum label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Saw Palmetto Plus Pygeum’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Pygeum

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 studies suggest modest benefit for these s...

Read the full Pygeum monograph → 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 Plus 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.

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 25 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
  1. 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
  2. Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R, et al. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;CD001044.. PubMed
  3. 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

See these in context on the Pygeum monograph →

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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