Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for heart health, prostate health, antioxidant support.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, Lycopene. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola

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

This product contains 2 active ingredients. Lycopene is a red pigment and antioxidant found naturally in tomatoes and other produce.

Saw palmetto fruit extract is derived from the berries of the saw palmetto plant, traditionally used in herbal medicine for urinary and prostate concerns. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients including fish gelatin, medium chain triglycerides, rosemary leaf extract, and silicon dioxide.

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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

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), Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lycopene is rated "Possibly Effective" for Prostate cancer (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Saw Palmetto is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • Also on file: Lycopene is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

For lycopene, the evidence suggests it's possibly effective for prostate cancer, but possibly ineffective for bladder cancer and diabetes; data on its role in high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and exercise-induced asthma is insufficient to rate. For saw palmetto, it's possibly effective for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) but possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); evidence is insufficient to rate it for chronic bronchitis, hair loss (androgenic alopecia), or lower urinary tract symptoms.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lycopene 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.

Lycopene from food is well tolerated; supplement doses are generally well tolerated too, though gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and loss of appetite have been reported in trials. Saw palmetto is mild and infrequent in its side effects — abdominal pain, constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, runny nose, and vomiting are most common — and they're reversible.

Rare cases of skin reactions and heart rhythm changes have been reported with saw palmetto. Because saw palmetto may interfere with hormones, it should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; lycopene supplements are not well studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lycopene 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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lycopene, Saw Palmetto.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 174 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on estrogens, contraceptive drugs, or any blood thinners or antiplatelet medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, and similar drugs). Saw palmetto may reduce how well your contraceptives or hormone therapy work, and both ingredients may increase your bleeding risk.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

This product may help with prostate concerns and contains a compound with antioxidant activity, but the evidence for several of those uses is weak or absent. If you take blood thinners, contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy, you'll want to check with your own doctor or pharmacist before adding it — the interaction risks are real.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid it.

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 Jun 22, 2023.

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 with Lycopene, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 813006012331
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 22, 2023
DSLD ID 287336
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
813006012331
IngredientAmount% DV
Lycopene10 mg--
Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract320 mg--

Other ingredients: Fish Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Rosemary leaf extract, Silicon 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule daily.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

Contains fish (tilapia).

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Providing quality products since 2001.

See for yourself

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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.

Lycopene

Interacts with
122 drugs
10 mg per serving Form: Tomato

Lycopene is a red plant pigment and antioxidant found mainly in tomatoes and other red fruits. Eating lycopene-rich foods is linked with possible hear...

Lycopene monograph & interactions

Saw Palmetto Fruit 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 Fruit Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Fish Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Rosemary leaf extract, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saw Palmetto with Lycopene?

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

Lycopene 122

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saw Palmetto with Lycopene with known interactions, here are the types of medications they 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

Lycopene1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking lycopene with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research shows that lycopene has antiplatelet effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Saw Palmetto with Lycopene by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saw Palmetto with Lycopene 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 with Lycopene 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.
Does this product actually help with prostate problems?
Saw palmetto is possibly effective for a specific surgical procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but the evidence says it's possibly ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the most common prostate condition. We don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it helps with general lower urinary tract symptoms.
What is lycopene and why is it in here?
Lycopene is a red pigment and antioxidant from tomatoes and other red produce. It's included because it's possibly effective for prostate cancer prevention according to our data, which may complement saw palmetto's traditional use.
Can I take this if I'm on birth control?
No — saw palmetto might reduce how well contraceptives work because of its antiestrogenic effects. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're on any form of birth control.
What side effects should I watch for?
Gastrointestinal effects like diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and heartburn are the most common, and they're usually mild and reversible. Saw palmetto may also cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, or decreased libido. Rarely, skin reactions or heart rhythm issues have been reported.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Saw palmetto should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding because of its hormone effects and lack of safety data. Lycopene supplements are also not well studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Can I take this with blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin?
Both ingredients in this product may increase bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product if you're on any blood thinner.

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

Not sure if Saw Palmetto with Lycopene 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 with Lycopene label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Saw Palmetto with Lycopene'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 32 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.

Lycopene 10 references
  1. Sharma, J. B., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Malhotra, M., Arora, R., Prasad, S., and Batra, S. Effect of lycopene on pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation in primigravidas. Int J Gynaecol.Obstet. 2003;81(3):257-262. PubMed
  2. Hsiao, G., Wang, Y., Tzu, N. H., Fong, T. H., Shen, M. Y., Lin, K. H., Chou, D. S., and Sheu, J. R. Inhibitory effects of lycopene on in vitro platelet activation and in vivo prevention of thrombus formation. J Lab Clin Med 2005;146(4):216-226. PubMed
  3. Clark, P. E., Hall, M. C., Borden, L. S., Jr., Miller, A. A., Hu, J. J., Lee, W. R., Stindt, D., D'Agostino, R., Jr., Lovato, J., Harmon, M., and Torti, F. M. Phase I-II prospective dose-escalating trial of lycopene in patients with biochemical relapse o
  4. O'Kennedy, N., Crosbie, L., Whelan, S., Luther, V., Horgan, G., Broom, J. I., Webb, D. J., and Duttaroy, A. K. Effects of tomato extract on platelet function: a double-blinded crossover study in healthy humans. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2006;84(3):561-569. PubMed
  5. Jatoi, A., Burch, P., Hillman, D., Vanyo, J. M., Dakhil, S., Nikcevich, D., Rowland, K., Morton, R., Flynn, P. J., Young, C., and Tan, W. A tomato-based, lycopene-containing intervention for androgen-independent prostate cancer: results of a Phase II stu
  6. Schwenke, C., Ubrig, B., Thurmann, P., Eggersmann, C., and Roth, S. Lycopene for advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer: a prospective, open phase II pilot study. J.Urol. 2009;181(3):1098-1103. PubMed
  7. Banerjee, S., Jeyaseelan, S., and Guleria, R. Trial of lycopene to prevent pre-eclampsia in healthy primigravidas: results show some adverse effects. J.Obstet.Gynaecol.Res. 2009;35(3):477-482. PubMed
  8. Haseen, F., Cantwell, M. M., O'Sullivan, J. M., and Murray, L. J. Is there a benefit from lycopene supplementation in men with prostate cancer? A systematic review. Prostate Cancer Prostatic.Dis. 2009;12(4):325-332. PubMed
  9. Ilic, D., Forbes, K. M., and Hassed, C. Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2011;(11):CD008007. PubMed
  10. Sawardekar SB, Patel TC, Uchil D. Comparative evaluation of antiplatelet effect of lycopene with aspirin and the effect of their combination on platelet aggregation: an in vitro study. Indian J Pharmacol 2016;48:26-31. PubMed

See these in context on the Lycopene 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

Keep exploring