Drug · FAERS side-effect profile with label screen
Saw Palmetto side effects: what 2,046 FDA adverse event reports show
Drug class
No validated FDA label found
Who reports
2,046 reports · 54% serious · 117 with death outcome · 2% female
openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied
Used for
—
How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation.
Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)?
That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.
Causality screen of the 23 strongest signals
Reporting / coding artifact 3Lab value / disease marker 2No label text to screen 18
What the badges mean
- Reporting / coding artifact An administrative, monitoring or exposure term (product issue, off-label use, 'test normal', overdose...). Not a biological reaction; a high PRR here reflects how reports are coded.
- Lab value / disease marker A laboratory result, investigation or disease-activity marker (antibody positive, CRP abnormal, swollen joint count) not described in the label. These usually mirror the monitored disease or testing protocol rather than a drug effect; not screened further.
- Not in label — unassessed Not found in the label text, not an artifact pattern. This is a genuine candidate for a formal causality assessment (Bradford Hill / WHO-UMC); it has NOT had one here.
- No label text to screen No validated FDA label was retrievable for this product, so the screen could not run. Disproportionality only.
Strongest disproportionality signals
Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers rather than clinicians. 60 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.
Show:
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nocturia (night-time urination) | 15 | 12.7 7.7–21.0ROR 12.8 · χ² 150 / p 8e-35 | 11.5 EB05 6.8 · IC025 +2.3 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 9.4 | no trial data cached |
| Erectile dysfunction | 31 | 12.4 8.7–17.5ROR 12.5 · χ² 312 / p 4e-70 | 11.9 EB05 8.5 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 9.8 · 82% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Sexual dysfunction | 14 | 12.3 7.3–20.7ROR 12.4 · χ² 134 / p 3e-31 | 11.0 EB05 6.3 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 16.8 | no trial data cached |
| Prostatic specific antigen increased | 15 | 11.1 6.7–18.4ROR 11.2 · χ² 128 / p 6e-30 | 9.8 EB05 5.8 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | Lab value / disease marker | serious PRR 11.7 | no trial data cached |
| Micturition urgency | 11 | 10.0 5.5–17.9ROR 10.0 · χ² 80 / p 2e-19 | 8.1 EB05 4.5 · IC025 +1.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 3.2 | no trial data cached |
| Libido decreased (lower sex drive) | 12 | 9.9 5.6–17.5ROR 10.0 · χ² 88 / p 4e-21 | 8.2 EB05 4.6 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 11.0 | no trial data cached |
| Coronary artery disease | 24 | 8.1 5.4–12.0ROR 8.2 · χ² 142 / p 6e-33 | 7.2 EB05 5.0 · IC025 +2.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 8.8 | no trial data cached |
| Pollakiuria (frequent urination) | 31 | 7.6 5.4–10.8ROR 7.7 · χ² 172 / p 1e-39 | 7.0 EB05 5.1 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 6.3 | no trial data cached |
| Dysuria (painful urination) | 22 | 6.1 4.0–9.3ROR 6.2 · χ² 89 / p 2e-21 | 5.5 EB05 3.8 · IC025 +1.7 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.4 · 82% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Flushing | 59 | 5.9 4.6–7.6ROR 6.1 · χ² 238 / p 7e-54 | 5.7 EB05 4.6 · IC025 +2.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 1.4 · 95% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Atrial fibrillation | 52 | 5.5 4.2–7.1ROR 5.6 · χ² 186 / p 1e-42 | 5.2 EB05 4.1 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 5.6 | no trial data cached |
| Musculoskeletal pain | 26 | 5.0 3.4–7.4ROR 5.1 · χ² 81 / p 1e-19 | 4.7 EB05 3.3 · IC025 +1.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 6.0 · 73% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) | 12 | 4.6 2.6–8.0ROR 4.6 · χ² 30 / p 2e-8 | 3.9 EB05 2.4 · IC025 +1.0 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 2.6 | no trial data cached |
| Head injury | 14 | 4.5 2.7–7.7ROR 4.6 · χ² 35 / p 1e-9 | 4.0 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.4 | no trial data cached |
| Product substitution issue | 24 | 4.3 2.9–6.4ROR 4.3 · χ² 57 / p 2e-14 | 4.0 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 6.9 | no trial data cached |
| Ageusia (loss of taste) | 10 | 4.1 2.2–7.6ROR 4.1 · χ² 20 / p 3e-6 | 3.5 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +0.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.8 | no trial data cached |
| International normalised ratio increased | 11 | 3.9 2.2–7.1ROR 3.9 · χ² 21 / p 2e-6 | 3.4 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +0.8 3/3 methods agree | Lab value / disease marker | serious PRR 3.4 | no trial data cached |
| Dysgeusia (altered taste) | 28 | 3.8 2.7–5.6ROR 3.9 · χ² 56 / p 3e-14 | 3.6 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 5.3 | no trial data cached |
| Cardiac failure congestive | 29 | 3.7 2.6–5.3ROR 3.7 · χ² 54 / p 1e-13 | 3.5 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.0 | no trial data cached |
| Anger | 12 | 3.6 2.1–6.4ROR 3.6 · χ² 20 / p 3e-6 | 3.2 EB05 2.0 · IC025 +0.7 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.8 | no trial data cached |
| Myocardial infarction (heart attack) | 48 | 2.8 2.1–3.7ROR 2.8 · χ² 54 / p 9e-14 | 2.7 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.0 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 3.0 | no trial data cached |
| Drug effect decreased | 14 | 2.6 1.6–4.4ROR 2.6 · χ² 13 / p 2e-4 | 2.5 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.4 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 2.1 | no trial data cached |
| Product quality issue | 27 | 2.1 1.4–3.0ROR 2.1 · χ² 14 / p 1e-4 | 2.0 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.4 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.4 | no trial data cached |
Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Trial cross-check not yet run for this drug (ClinicalTrials.gov pull covers the 800 most-reported drugs first).
Most frequently reported reactions
By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flushing | 59 | 5.9 4.6–7.6ROR 6.1 · χ² 238 / p 7e-54 | 5.7 EB05 4.6 · IC025 +2.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 1.4 · 95% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Atrial fibrillation | 52 | 5.5 4.2–7.1ROR 5.6 · χ² 186 / p 1e-42 | 5.2 EB05 4.1 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 5.6 | no trial data cached |
| Myocardial infarction (heart attack) | 48 | 2.8 2.1–3.7ROR 2.8 · χ² 54 / p 9e-14 | 2.7 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.0 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 3.0 | no trial data cached |
| Pollakiuria (frequent urination) | 31 | 7.6 5.4–10.8ROR 7.7 · χ² 172 / p 1e-39 | 7.0 EB05 5.1 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 6.3 | no trial data cached |
| Erectile dysfunction | 31 | 12.4 8.7–17.5ROR 12.5 · χ² 312 / p 4e-70 | 11.9 EB05 8.5 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 9.8 · 82% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Drug dose omission | 29 | 1.8 1.2–2.5ROR 1.8 · χ² 9 / p 0.001 | 1.8 EB05 1.3 · IC025 +0.2 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.9 | no trial data cached |
| Cardiac failure congestive | 29 | 3.7 2.6–5.3ROR 3.7 · χ² 54 / p 1e-13 | 3.5 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.0 | no trial data cached |
| Dysgeusia (altered taste) | 28 | 3.8 2.7–5.6ROR 3.9 · χ² 56 / p 3e-14 | 3.6 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 5.3 | no trial data cached |
| Product quality issue | 27 | 2.1 1.4–3.0ROR 2.1 · χ² 14 / p 1e-4 | 2.0 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.4 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.4 | no trial data cached |
| Musculoskeletal pain | 26 | 5.0 3.4–7.4ROR 5.1 · χ² 81 / p 1e-19 | 4.7 EB05 3.3 · IC025 +1.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 6.0 · 73% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Product substitution issue | 24 | 4.3 2.9–6.4ROR 4.3 · χ² 57 / p 2e-14 | 4.0 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 6.9 | no trial data cached |
| Coronary artery disease | 24 | 8.1 5.4–12.0ROR 8.2 · χ² 142 / p 6e-33 | 7.2 EB05 5.0 · IC025 +2.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 8.8 | no trial data cached |
| Dysuria (painful urination) | 22 | 6.1 4.0–9.3ROR 6.2 · χ² 89 / p 2e-21 | 5.5 EB05 3.8 · IC025 +1.7 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 4.4 · 82% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Prostatic specific antigen increased | 15 | 11.1 6.7–18.4ROR 11.2 · χ² 128 / p 6e-30 | 9.8 EB05 5.8 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | Lab value / disease marker | serious PRR 11.7 | no trial data cached |
| Nocturia (night-time urination) | 15 | 12.7 7.7–21.0ROR 12.8 · χ² 150 / p 8e-35 | 11.5 EB05 6.8 · IC025 +2.3 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen | serious PRR 9.4 | no trial data cached |
Unlabeled candidate signals
Every screened signal with n ≥ 20 was either labeled, an indication term, or an artifact pattern — no unlabeled candidate stood out in the top signals.
Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.
Common questions
What are the most reported side effects of Saw Palmetto?
In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Saw Palmetto are flushing, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, pollakiuria, erectile dysfunction, cardiac failure congestive. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.
Does Saw Palmetto have an FDA boxed warning?
No validated FDA label could be retrieved for this product name, so this page cannot say.
Do FAERS signals prove that Saw Palmetto causes these side effects?
No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.
Sources & methods
- No FDA label passed the name-validation check for this product string, so label-based screening was skipped
- Bayesian shrinkage measures computed offline over all 1,317,300 cached pairs: BCPNN information component (IC, with Norén closed-form IC025) and MGPS empirical-Bayes geometric mean (EBGM, EB05) with a two-component gamma prior fitted by maximum marginal likelihood (α₁=0.57, β₁=0.02, α₂=1.42, β₂=0.70, w=0.17); unstratified
- FAERS pair statistics from the OpenPV build of 2026-09-14 (openFDA
count=aggregation, fieldpatient.drug.openfda.generic_name.exact, 83 reaction terms, min 3 co-reports); PRR/ROR with 95% CI, chi-square with Yates correction - Serious-only and stratified counts (serious:1, patient.patientsex, primarysource.qualification) from openFDA count queries; serious-only PRR uses the drug serious report total and the term global serious total (N_serious=11,882,979); strata shown only when n ≥ 20
- Seriousness and sex counts from openFDA
count=serious,patient.patientsex,seriousnessdeath
Page generated 2026-10-08. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.