A case report of Saw palmetto and bleeding: A case report showed that a patient experienced excessive bleeding after surgery for meningioma and was found to have increased bleeding time on laboratory testing which normalized after discontinuation of saw palmetto. (10)
Saw Palmetto and blood clotting: Saw palmetto may be associated with an increased anticoagulation (reduce blood clotting) effect. Consumption should be avoided when taking anticoagulants like aspirin, warfarin, or ticlopidine because of the potential increased risk of bleeding. (11)
Summary: Saw Palmetto
- In most studies, Saw palmetto, (a.k.a. Sabal serrulata and Serenoa repens or Permixon brand name) improved urine flow rate, reduced nocturnal urination, was comparable to finasteride, and in some studies reduced enlarged prostate size associated with BPH. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were not reduced by this herbal treatment. The most common dosage studied in research was 160 mg oral twice per day.
- Permixon, Saw Palmetto, (a.k.a. Sabal serrulata and Serenoa repens) was associated with few adverse effects and no sexual side effects in the majority of studies. In a study comparing Saw Palmetto extract with tamsulosin, ejaculation disorders occurred less frequently with saw Palmetto (7). One study of 94 patients noted less adverse effects by the treatment group than the placebo group and were minor such as headache (17). A case report showed that a patient experienced excessive bleeding after surgery for meningioma and was found to have increased bleeding time on laboratory testing which normalized after discontinuation of saw palmetto (18). Saw Palmetto may be associated with an increased anticoagulation (reduce blood clotting) effect and should be avoided when taking anticoagulants like aspirin, warfarin, or ticlopidine because of the potential increased risk of bleeding (19). It is important to discontinue saw palmetto 2 weeks prior to any invasive dental procedures or surgery.
- Pharmaceutical agents compared to saw palmetto in studies include Proscar (finasteride) which reduced PSA levels but caused erectile dysfunction, reduced ejaculation volume, and in some cases irreversible erectile dysfunction. Flomax (tamulosin) caused low blood pressure, dizziness, and retrograde ejaculation.
- Adverse effects associated with Saw palmetto use may include mild stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Saw palmetto may be associated with an increased anticoagulation (reduce blood clotting) effect. Consumption should be avoided when taking anticoagulants like aspirin, warfarin, or ticlopidine because of the potential increased risk of bleeding (11). A case report outlined that a patient experienced excessive bleeding after surgery for meningioma and was found to have increased bleeding time on laboratory testing which normalized after discontinuation of saw palmetto (10). Less adverse effects were reported by Champault, et al the treatment group than the placebo group (5 vs 11 instances) and were minor such as headache (9).
References for Saw Palmetto Prostate Benefits
1.Neelima Dhingra and Deepak Bhagwat. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: An overview of existing treatment. Indian J Pharmacol. 2011 February; 43(1): 6–12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062123/