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Dietary supplement

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Ultra

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg 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

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Ultra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for physical performance and endurance, cholesterol support, parkinson's and movement concerns.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Octacosanol. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra

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 Jul 11, 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 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: octacosanol 10 mg per capsule. Octacosanol is a waxy compound derived from plant sources; in this case, it comes from spinach.

The capsule also contains three inactive ingredients — hypromellose (the capsule material itself), L-leucine, and rice flour — which are fillers and binders that help hold the supplement together.

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 Octacosanol product and its label doesn't state a use — see Octacosanol'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 for octacosanol's effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. Studies have looked at it for athletic performance, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and Parkinson's disease, but the research quality or quantity is insufficient to rate whether it actually works for any of these purposes.

If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what the current science shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Octacosanol

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.

Octacosanol is generally well tolerated in the amounts that have been studied, but long-term safety data are limited — we don't have much information on what happens if you take it for years. The safety data advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

In studies, octacosanol (via policosanol, its main source) has caused uncommon side effects like headache, mild dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, insomnia, itching, or rash, though it's unclear whether octacosanol itself is responsible for all of them.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Octacosanol

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 — Octacosanol.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 248 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.

Double-check this product if you take beta-blockers, blood pressure medications like nitroprusside, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin), diabetes medications, or levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet). These are Moderate-severity interactions — your pharmacist can help you decide whether it's safe to combine them.

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.

If you take blood pressure medications, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or Parkinson's medications, check with your pharmacist before adding this product — the interactions are documented and worth confirming against your specific drugs. Otherwise, it's generally well tolerated in short-term use, but we don't know much about long-term safety, and the evidence for what it actually does isn't strong.

Talk to your pharmacist about whether it makes sense for you.

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 Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Ultra
Barcode (UPC) 087614028361
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 199631
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614028361
IngredientAmount% DV
Octacosanol10 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, L-Leucine, Rice Flour

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

The Most Advanced Nutrition Technology Veg Caps

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

V Vegetarian formula

Guaranteed Purity & Potency

Formulation

V Vegetarian formula

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule one to two times per day with food and water.

General

SWU836 Rev 0 08 24 17

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

See for yourself

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra label

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

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg 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 Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra

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

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Octacosanol

Interacts with
248 drugs
10 mg per serving Form: Spinach, Vegetable Waxes

Octacosanol is a waxy long-chain alcohol from plant sources that is most often promoted for exercise endurance and cholesterol support, but solid huma...

Octacosanol monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, L-Leucine, Rice Flour. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Spinach Octacosanol 10 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
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Octacosanol 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg interact with 248 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Octacosanol

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Spinach Octacosanol 10 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.

Octacosanol7 drug types · 248 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, octacosanol might inhibit platelet aggregation; however, clinical research suggests that this effect may not be clinically significant.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Some clinical research shows that taking policosanol 10-50 mg daily for 7-15 days can inhibit platelet aggregation in healthy patients. However, one clinical trial shows that taking policosanol 10 mg twice daily for 2 weeks prior to initiating warfarin does not affect warfarin pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. Furthermore, a study in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug-eluting stent found that taking policosanol 40 mg plus clopidogrel and aspirin daily for 30 days modestly reduced the risk for minor bleeding events when compared with taking clopidogrel and aspirin alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, octacosanol might have additive effects when used in combination with antidiabetes drugs.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. In humans, policosanol can decrease blood glucose. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Beta-Blockers

Theoretically, concomitant use of octacosanol with beta-blockers might result in additive hypotensive effects.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Clinical research shows that policosanol 5 mg daily can have additive blood pressure-lowering effects in patients with hypertension who are taking beta-blockers. Also, animal research shows that policosanol can increase the hypotensive effects of propranolol. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)

Concomitant use may worsen symptoms of Parkinson disease.
One small clinical study suggests that octacosanol might worsen dyskinesias and increase nervous tension in some patients being treated with levodopa/carbidopa.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Nitroprusside (Nitropress)

Theoretically, octacosanol might enhance the hypotensive effects of nitroprusside.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Animal research shows that taking policosanol along with nitroprusside can increase the hypotensive effects of nitroprusside. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Propranolol (Inderal)

Theoretically, octacosanol might enhance the hypotensive effects of propranolol.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Animal research shows that taking policosanol along with propranolol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of propranolol. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, octacosanol might inhibit platelet aggregation; however, clinical research suggests that this effect may not be clinically significant.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Some clinical research shows that taking policosanol 10-50 mg daily for 7-15 days can inhibit platelet aggregation in healthy patients. Therefore, there is concern that taking policosanol with warfarin might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. However, one clinical trial shows that taking policosanol 10 mg twice daily for 2 weeks prior to warfarin dosing does not affect warfarin pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Octacosanol full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Ultra

See all Swanson Ultra 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

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra: Common Questions

Does Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg by Swanson Ultra interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Spinach Octacosanol 10 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.
What is octacosanol?
Octacosanol is a waxy compound found in plants — in this product, it comes from spinach. It's the main active component in a compound called policosanol, which has been studied for various health purposes.
Is octacosanol safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No, the safety data advise against it. There isn't enough information to know that it's safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it while pregnant or nursing.
What side effects does octacosanol cause?
Uncommon side effects reported in studies include headache, mild dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, insomnia, itching, and rash. It's not always clear whether octacosanol itself is responsible for these, but they do occur rarely.
Does octacosanol actually work for athletic performance or cholesterol?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say. Studies have looked at octacosanol for athletic performance and high cholesterol, but the research quality or amount doesn't give us a reliable answer yet. Your pharmacist can point you toward stronger evidence if you're interested in those goals.
How long can I safely take this product?
We don't have good long-term safety data. The supplement is generally well tolerated in the short term, but we don't know much about what happens if you take it for years. Talk with your pharmacist about how long you're planning to use it.

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.

Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Spinach Octacosanol 10 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Octacosanol

Interacts with 248 drugs

Octacosanol is a waxy long-chain alcohol from plant sources that is most often promoted for exercise endurance and cholesterol support, but solid human evidence is limited and results are mi...

Read the full Octacosanol monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Spinach Octacosanol 10 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 16 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.

Octacosanol 16 references
  1. Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation and serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in healthy volunteers. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;58:61-4.
  2. Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R, et al. Comparative study of policosanol, aspirin and the combination therapy policosanol-aspirin on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Res 1997;36:293-7. PubMed
  3. Valdes S, Arruzazabala ML, Fernandez L. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1996;16:67-72.
  4. Snider S. Octacosanol in parkinsonism. Ann Neurol 1984;16:723. PubMed
  5. Greyling A, De Witt C, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. Effects of a policosanol supplement on serum lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2006;95:968-75. PubMed
  6. Abdul MI, Jiang X, Williams KM, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69:508-15. PubMed
  7. Molina, Cuevas, V, Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, Quintana D., Mas, Ferreiro R., and Valdes, Garcia S. Effect of policosanol on arterial blood pressure in rats. Study of the pharmacological interaction with nifedipine and propranolol. Arch Med Res 1998;29
  8. Menendez, R., Mas, R., Amor, A. M., Gonzalez, R. M., Fernandez, J. C., Rodeiro, I., Zayas, M., and Jimenez, S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modificat
  9. Castano G, Fernandez L, Mas R, et al. Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of original policosanol versus other mixtures of higher aliphatic primary alcohols in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2002;22:5
  10. Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, D., Mas, R., Valdes, S., and Molina, V. Pharmacological Interaction Between Policosanol and Nitroprusside in Rats. J Med Food 2001;4(2):67-70. PubMed
  11. Castano G, Mas R, Gamez R, et al. Concomitant use of policosanol and beta-blockers in older patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol.Res 2004;24:65-77.
  12. Francini-Pesenti F, Brocadello F, Beltramolli D, et al. Sugar cane policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in primitive, diet-resistant hypercholesterolaemia: A double blind, controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2008;16:61-65. PubMed
  13. Castaño G, Fernández L, Mas R, Illnait J, Mesa M, Fernández JC. Comparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Investig. 2003;23(10 PubMed
  14. Wang HY, Jiao QP, Chen SY, et al. Efficacy and safety of policosanol plus fenofibrate combination therapy in elderly patients with mixed dyslipidemia: A randomized, controlled clinical study. Am J Med Sci. 2018;356(3):254-261. PubMed
  15. Xu K, Liu X, Li Y, Wang Y, Zang H, Guo L, et al. Safety and efficacy of policosanol in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity after drug-eluting stent implantation: two-year follow-up results. Cardiovasc Ther. 2016 Oct;34(5):337-42. doi: 10.1 PubMed
  16. Li C, Ding Y, Si Q, Li K, Xu K. Multiple functions of policosanol in elderly patients with dyslipidemia. J Int Med Res. 2020;48(7):300060520936082. PubMed

See these in context on the Octacosanol 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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