Indication-specific dosing for (saw palmetto), dwarf palm saw palmetto in combination, frequency-based adverse effects, comprehensive interactions, contraindications, pregnancy & lactation schedules, and cost information.

Sections

Sections Saw Palmetto
Suggested Dosing
Suggested Uses
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology

Suggested Dosing

Whole berries: 1-2 g PO daily

Lipophilic extract: 320 mg/day PO qD OR 160 mg PO BID

Standardized extracts 100-400 mg PO BID

Suggested Uses

BPH, diuretic, a sedative, an anti-inflammatory, alopecia, prostate cancer (in combo with other herbs), and antiseptic

Efficacy

BPH: Saw palmetto fruit extract did not reduce lower urinary tract symptoms more than placebo 2 trial randomized controlled trials (JAMA. 2011 Sept 28;306[12]:1289-1395) (N Engl J Med. 2006;354[6]:557-566)

Insufficient reliable test results to determine efficacy for other suggested uses

Interaction Checker

Enter a drug name and Saw Palmetto

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No Interactions Found

Interactions Found

Contraindicated

Serious - Use Alternative

Significant - Monitor Closely

Minor

All Interactions Sort By:

Contraindicated (0)

Serious - Use Alternative (0)

Monitor Closely (33)

antithrombin alfa
saw palmetto increases toxicity of antithrombin alfa by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
apixaban
saw palmetto increases toxicity of apixaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
argatroban
saw palmetto increases toxicity of argatroban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
aspirin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of aspirin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
aspirin rectal
saw palmetto increases toxicity of aspirin rectal by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
bivalirudin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of bivalirudin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
dabigatran
saw palmetto increases toxicity of dabigatran by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
dalteparin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of dalteparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
desirudin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of desirudin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
diclofenac
saw palmetto increases toxicity of diclofenac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
diflunisal
saw palmetto increases toxicity of diflunisal by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
edoxaban
saw palmetto increases toxicity of edoxaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
enoxaparin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of enoxaparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
etodolac
saw palmetto increases toxicity of etodolac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
fenoprofen
saw palmetto increases toxicity of fenoprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
flurbiprofen
saw palmetto increases toxicity of flurbiprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
fondaparinux
saw palmetto increases toxicity of fondaparinux by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
heparin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of heparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ibuprofen
saw palmetto increases toxicity of ibuprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ibuprofen IV
saw palmetto increases toxicity of ibuprofen IV by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
indomethacin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of indomethacin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ketoprofen
saw palmetto increases toxicity of ketoprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ketorolac
saw palmetto increases toxicity of ketorolac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
meclofenamate
saw palmetto increases toxicity of meclofenamate by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
mefenamic acid
saw palmetto increases toxicity of mefenamic acid by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
meloxicam
saw palmetto increases toxicity of meloxicam by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
nabumetone
saw palmetto increases toxicity of nabumetone by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
naproxen
saw palmetto increases toxicity of naproxen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
oxaprozin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of oxaprozin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
piroxicam
saw palmetto increases toxicity of piroxicam by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
rivaroxaban
saw palmetto increases toxicity of rivaroxaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
sulindac
saw palmetto increases toxicity of sulindac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
tolmetin
saw palmetto increases toxicity of tolmetin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.

Minor (10)

danazol
saw palmetto decreases effects of danazol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
finasteride
saw palmetto increases effects of finasteride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
fluoxymesterone
saw palmetto decreases effects of fluoxymesterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
mesterolone
saw palmetto decreases effects of mesterolone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
methyltestosterone
saw palmetto decreases effects of methyltestosterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
oxandrolone
saw palmetto decreases effects of oxandrolone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
oxymetholone
saw palmetto decreases effects of oxymetholone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
testosterone
saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
testosterone buccal system
saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone buccal system by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
testosterone topical
saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone topical by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

antithrombin alfa
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of antithrombin alfa by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
apixaban
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of apixaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
argatroban
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of argatroban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
aspirin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of aspirin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
aspirin rectal
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of aspirin rectal by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
bivalirudin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of bivalirudin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
dabigatran
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of dabigatran by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
dalteparin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of dalteparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
danazol
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of danazol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
desirudin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of desirudin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
diclofenac
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of diclofenac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
diflunisal
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of diflunisal by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
edoxaban
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of edoxaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
enoxaparin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of enoxaparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
etodolac
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of etodolac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
fenoprofen
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of fenoprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
finasteride
Minor (1)saw palmetto increases effects of finasteride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
fluoxymesterone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of fluoxymesterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
flurbiprofen
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of flurbiprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
fondaparinux
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of fondaparinux by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
heparin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of heparin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ibuprofen
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of ibuprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ibuprofen IV
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of ibuprofen IV by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
indomethacin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of indomethacin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ketoprofen
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of ketoprofen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
ketorolac
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of ketorolac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
meclofenamate
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of meclofenamate by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
mefenamic acid
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of mefenamic acid by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
meloxicam
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of meloxicam by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
mesterolone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of mesterolone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
methyltestosterone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of methyltestosterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
nabumetone
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of nabumetone by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
naproxen
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of naproxen by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
oxandrolone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of oxandrolone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
oxaprozin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of oxaprozin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
oxymetholone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of oxymetholone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
piroxicam
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of piroxicam by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
rivaroxaban
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of rivaroxaban by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
sulindac
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of sulindac by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.
testosterone
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
testosterone buccal system
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone buccal system by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
testosterone topical
Minor (1)saw palmetto decreases effects of testosterone topical by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
tolmetin
Monitor Closely (1)saw palmetto increases toxicity of tolmetin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase risk of bleeding.

Adverse Effects

Nausea, headache (rare)

Diarrhea (high doses)

Hepatotoxic potential

Contraindications

Pregnant women should avoid contact: potential for transdermal absorption, or exposure from semen

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: avoid use

Lactation: avoid use

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Mechanism of Action

Active constituents: sitosterols; anthranilic, caffeic, chlorogeneic acids

Inhibits 5-alpha-reductase conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone

Anti-inflammatory inhibition of cycloxygenase, lipoxygenase pathways

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.

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