saw palmetto

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) is a dietary supplement.

Serenoa Repens

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 23, 2026·How we rate

Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Check price on Amazon →We may earn a commission · never affects ratings

Key facts

Active ingredient: Serenoa Repens
Type: Supplement

What is Saw Palmetto?

From the FDA label:A palm extract traditionally used for prostate and urinary support.

What the evidence says

What Saw Palmetto is

Saw palmetto is a dietary supplement made from the berries of Serenoa repens, a small palm native to the southeastern United States and the West Indies. The berry extract is sold in capsule, tablet, and liquid forms.

Commonly used for

Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)Chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndromeMale pattern hair loss (male pattern baldness)

What the evidence shows

Despite its popularity, current research does not support saw palmetto for the conditions people commonly use it for. NCCIH notes that NIH-funded trials (including one testing up to about three times the usual dose) and a Cochrane review found that saw palmetto was no more effective than placebo for the urinary symptoms of BPH. A 2023 review of 27 studies concluded that the herb, when taken alone, "provides little or no benefit for BPH symptoms." A separate review found no significant benefit for chronic prostatitis, and NCCIH describes the evidence for hair loss as too limited to draw conclusions.

Typical dosage

There is no established effective dose, because studies have not shown a clear benefit for the conditions saw palmetto is used for. Trials commonly tested 320 mg of standardized berry extract daily, and some tested up to roughly two to three times that amount without showing improvement. Because it has not been shown to work for these conditions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it — and especially before relying on it in place of a proven treatment for prostate or urinary symptoms.

Safety

According to NCCIH, saw palmetto appears to be well tolerated by most people and has been used safely in research studies lasting up to three years. It does not appear to affect PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test readings. It may be unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and safety data for women and children are limited. Talk with your healthcare provider before use, particularly if you have a prostate condition.

Side effects

NCCIH describes side effects as usually mild and infrequent. Reported effects include stomach or digestive discomfort, dizziness, and headache.

Interactions & cautions

NCCIH reports that saw palmetto has not been shown to interact with medications. Even so, herbs and medicines can sometimes interact in harmful ways, so tell your healthcare provider about any supplements you take — particularly if you use blood thinners or are scheduled for surgery.

Sources

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Summarized from public health authorities; general reference, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

Compare alternatives

A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →

Information is sourced from public FDA regulatory data. Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

What people report to the FDA about Serenoa Repens

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 702 reports naming Serenoa Repens — the active ingredient in Saw Palmetto, and the FDA flagged 81% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

fatigue74 reports
dizziness30 reports
nausea30 reports
constipation28 reports
fall28 reports
hypertension28 reports
weight decreased26 reports
depression25 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean Serenoa Repens caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 26, 2026.

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.

Compare Saw Palmetto head-to-head

Saw Palmetto vs 5-Htp Saw Palmetto vs Acetyl-L-Carnitine Saw Palmetto vs Alpha Lipoic Acid Saw Palmetto vs Alpha-Gpc Saw Palmetto vs Apple Cider Vinegar

Identify a pill by its imprint →Check a drug interaction →Drug recalls →

Browse medications A–Z

Research products from A to Z, compare independent ratings, and find alternatives.

saw palmetto

New

Alternatives Check price on Amazon →

saw palmetto

Key facts

What is Saw Palmetto?

What the evidence says

What Saw Palmetto is

Commonly used for

What the evidence shows

Typical dosage

Safety

Side effects

Interactions & cautions

Sources

Ways to save

What people report to the FDA about Serenoa Repens

Reviews

Write a review

People also viewed

5-htp

acetyl-l-carnitine

alpha lipoic acid

alpha-gpc

apple cider vinegar

ashwagandha

Compare Saw Palmetto head-to-head

Browse medications A–Z