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

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Premium Brand

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

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Premium Brand with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sore throat and cough, heartburn and acid reflux, digestive upset and ibs.Based on those ingredients, 2,022 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Slippery Elm. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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 one active ingredient: slippery elm bark at 400 mg per capsule. Slippery elm is the inner bark of a tree, traditionally used to soothe the digestive tract and throat.

The capsule also holds inactive ingredients — gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — which are common binders and fillers.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Slippery Elm product and its label doesn't state a use — see Slippery Elm's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold on slippery elm doesn't support a clear rating yet. For cancer, constipation, cough, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diarrhea, the data is insufficient to say whether it's effective or not.

If you're considering it for one of these uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current evidence shows and whether it's right for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm

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.

Slippery elm is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though high-quality safety data are limited. Contact dermatitis, hives, and allergic reactions have been reported after direct exposure to slippery elm or its pollen — mostly with topical use or inhalation.

For pregnancy, there isn't enough reliable safety data, so caution is advised. There's also too little information on safety while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm

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 — Slippery Elm.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 2,023 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.

Any oral medications you take — prescription, over-the-counter, or both — may have their absorption slowed by slippery elm's mucilage, which is rated a Moderate interaction. This could lower how much of the drug reaches your bloodstream.

Use the medication checker on this page with your specific drugs, and confirm the timing and safety with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them with this supplement.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Slippery elm might appeal to you if you're looking for a throat or digestive tract soother, but the evidence for its effectiveness isn't yet established. The key thing to watch is that it may slow how your body absorbs oral medications — a Moderate concern affecting a large number of drugs.

Before you start, check your exact medications with your own doctor or pharmacist to make sure none will be affected.

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 Feb 25, 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 Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Premium Brand
Barcode (UPC) 087914114054
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 186335
Product type Botanical
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 Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
087914114054
IngredientAmount% DV
Slippery Elm800 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

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

Bringing wellness to the world since 1969

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Not to be taken by individuals who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or lactating.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take two capsules per day with water.

General

SW1405 Rev 1 09 06 17

See for yourself

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Slippery Elm

Interacts with
2,022 drugs
800 mg per serving

Slippery elm is a traditional herbal remedy made from the inner bark of a North American elm tree, used mainly to soothe sore throats and irritated di...

Slippery Elm monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg?

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
2,022Drugs
2,022 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Slippery Elm 2,022

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg 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.

Slippery Elm1 drug type · 2,022 drugs

Oral Drugs

Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Slippery elm inner bark contains mucilage, which may interfere with the absorption of orally administered drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Premium Brand

See all Swanson Premium Brand products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand: Common Questions

Does Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg has a known interaction with 2,022 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg 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.
Will slippery elm affect how my medications work?
Yes, possibly. Slippery elm's mucilage may slow your body's absorption of oral drugs and lower their blood levels — a Moderate concern. This is why it's important to check your exact medications before starting and to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about timing and whether it's safe to combine them.
Can I take slippery elm while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable data on safety during breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice before using it if you're nursing.
Is slippery elm safe during pregnancy?
There isn't enough reliable safety data to say either way. Caution is advised. Discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist to decide whether it's right for you.
Does slippery elm actually work for constipation, diarrhea, or cough?
The evidence we hold doesn't support a clear answer yet. For those uses — and for cancer, IBD, and sore throat — the data is insufficient to rate whether it's effective. Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss what research exists and whether it's worth trying for your situation.
Are there any side effects?
Slippery elm is generally well tolerated by mouth for short-term use. Direct contact (on skin or inhaled pollen) can cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis or hives in some people. Long-term safety data are limited.
What's in this capsule besides slippery elm?
The capsule contains gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — all standard inactive ingredients used as binders and fillers. There are no added drugs or botanicals.

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

Not sure if Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg 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.

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Slippery Elm Bark 400 mg'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 3 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.

Slippery Elm 3 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  3. Czarnecki D, Nixon R, Bekhor P, and et al. Delayed prolonged contact urticaria from the elm tree. Contact Dermatitis 1993;28:196-197. PubMed

See these in context on the Slippery Elm 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