Does Saw Palmetto interact with any drugs?

There are over 20 listed interactions with saw palmetto, but most of these are minor interactions. Possible interactions include with estrogen or oral contraceptives, with iron supplements or other treatments used for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), such as finasteride (Proscar), and with warfarin.

• If saw palmetto is combined with estrogens or oral contraceptives, theoretically the effectiveness of the hormonal therapies could be reduced. Saw palmetto was observed in one study to exhibit antiestrogenic effects; however, the interaction has not been reported.
• The tannic acid present in some herbs like saw palmetto may slow down the absorption of iron from your body. The administration of these herbs and iron-containing supplements (including in multivitamins) should be separated by several hours.
• Saw palmetto should be avoided with other agents used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), such as finasteride (Proscar), unless directed by your doctor.
• Two case reports suggest saw palmetto may interact with warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding if you also take a blood thinner. The mechanism may be due to CYP2C9 enzyme inhibition, but this is not well defined. Some authors have suggested this interaction is doubtful due to low evidence.

Always ask your doctor for advice first before using this product. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), vitamins and herbal or other dietary supplements.

Why do people use saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a palm-like plant that grows dark-colored berries. Saw palmetto supplements are made from the berries of the plant. The berries were a staple food and medicine for the Native Americans of the southeastern United States. Saw palmetto has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In the U.S., saw palmetto grows in the southeast warm climates from South Carolina to throughout Florida.

Use of saw palmetto is popular for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a noncancerous prostate gland enlargement seen in males.

• Evidence suggests that saw palmetto may be effective for mild-to-moderate BPH, to help reduce symptoms like frequent urination, having trouble starting or maintaining urination, and needing to urinate during the night. Not all studies have seen a proven effect.
• Saw palmetto should be avoided with other medicines used to treat prostatic hypertrophy, such as finasteride (Proscar), unless okayed by your doctor.
• You should be properly diagnosed by a healthcare provider if you have BPH symptoms.

Other names for saw palmetto include: American Dwarf Palm Tree, Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm, and Serenoa.

This is not all the information you need to know about saw palmetto for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. All possible drug interactions with this herbal supplement are not listed here.

Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

Learn More: Drug interactions with saw palmetto (in more detail)

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