saw palmetto

What is the most important information I should know about saw palmetto?

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto comes from a palm-like plant that grows in the southeast United States. The berries of this plant are used to make the capsule form of saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is also known as American Dwarf Palm Tree, Baies du Palmier Scie, Cabbage Palm, Chou Palmiste, Ju-Zhong, Palma Enana Americana, Palmier Nain, Palmier Scie, Sabal, Serenoa, and other names.

Saw palmetto blocks certain effects of certain hormones in the body and also has some anti-inflammatory actions.

Saw palmetto has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in preventing complications from prostate surgery (such as blood loss or problems during surgery) and reducing the time spent in surgery and in the hospital after surgery.

Saw palmetto has been used to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH), such as increased night-time urination or decreased urinary flow. However, research has shown that saw palmetto may not be effective in treating this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating sore throat, cough, cold symptoms, asthma, bronchitis, migraine headache, male-pattern baldness, chronic pelvic pain and prostate swelling, bladder problems, prostate cancer, and other conditions.

Saw palmetto is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Saw palmetto may also be used for other purposes not listed in this product guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking saw palmetto?

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);
• liver disease; or
• a pancreas disorder.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

How should I take saw palmetto?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use saw palmetto, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra saw palmetto to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking saw palmetto?

Avoid using saw palmetto together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, turmeric, vitamin E, and willow.

What are the possible side effects of saw palmetto?

Although not all side effects are known, saw palmetto is thought to be likely safe for most people.

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• any bleeding that will not stop;
• signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• pancreas problems --severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
• headache, dizziness; or
• impotence, sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect saw palmetto?

Do not take saw palmetto without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• medicine to prevent blood clots --clopidogrel, dalteparin, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven, and others; or
• an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with saw palmetto, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

Where can I get more information?

Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.