What is known about the ingredients
- Tongkat ali: long-term safety is not well studied; it may affect hormone levels, and some people report trouble sleeping or restlessness
- Epimedium (horny goat weed): may lower blood pressure and may add to the effect of blood thinners; dizziness and a fast heartbeat have been reported, mostly with high amounts
- Saw palmetto: usually well tolerated; mild stomach upset or headache are possible, and it may interact with blood thinners or hormone treatments
- Nettle: may interact with medicines for blood pressure, blood sugar, blood thinning, with diuretics and with lithium
- Wild yam: may have hormone-like effects, a reason for caution with hormone-sensitive conditions
- Sarsaparilla: can upset the stomach and may change how some medicines are absorbed
- Boron: the label lists 20 mg of a 5% boron chelate, roughly 1 mg of boron if the 5% is the boron content, well below the 20 mg adult upper limit in the U.S.
Who should talk to a doctor first
- Men who take medicine for blood pressure or the heart (including nitrates), blood thinners, diabetes medicine, lithium or hormone therapy
- Anyone with a heart, liver or kidney condition, or a hormone-sensitive condition such as prostate cancer
- Anyone with surgery coming up
- Anyone under 18 – the label says it is not for minors
- Pregnant or nursing women – the label says it is not for them
Allergies and diet
The capsule contains gelatin, so Prime Perform is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. The other listed ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.
How to use it safely
Take two capsules a day as the label says and do not exceed it. Avoid combining it with other men's formulas that contain the same herbs unless your doctor agrees. Stop and seek medical advice if you notice dizziness, palpitations, unusual bruising or an allergic reaction.
