Drug & supplement interaction

Blue-green Algae + Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum Toxin Type A brand name: Botox.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Botulinum Toxin Type A and Blue-green Algae in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Blue-green Algae safety at a glance

Blue-green Algae overall Use caution Quality varies and some products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals.
Pregnancy Avoid Not enough safety data and contamination risk; best to avoid.
Breastfeeding Avoid Safety is unknown and contamination is a concern; best to avoid.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Botulinum Toxin Type A and Blue-green Algae? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
Keep it in perspective

Blue-green Algae Does Interact With Other Medications

Blue-green Algae has 327 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Botulinum Toxin Type A isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 327 No known interaction 2,503 (incl. Botulinum Toxin Type A)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Blue-green Algae

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Blue-green Algae. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

What Blue-green Algae Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is the side-effect record for Blue-green Algae on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Blue-green Algae, this list is the first place to look. 3 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Severe muscle breakdown / Muscle weakness Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, after a 49-year-old woman stopped taking a spirulina blue-green algae supplement (species and dose unknown), the patient experienced inflammatory myopathy with muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase. The condition resolved with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment.”

    Blue-green Algae · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in muscle breakdown.

    2 sources cited
    1. 75936. Konno, T., Umeda, Y., Umeda, M., Kawachi, I., Oyake, M., and Fujita, N. [A case of inflammatory myopathy with widely skin rash following use of supplements containing Spirulina]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51(5):330-333. PubMed
    2. 75922. Mazokopakis, E. E., Karefilakis, C. M., Tsartsalis, A. N., Milkas, A. N., and Ganotakis, E. S. Acute rhabdomyolysis caused by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):525-527. PubMed
  • Wheezing / Shortness of breath / A severe allergic reaction / Hives / An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, urticarial rashes and pruritus have occurred as part of generalized allergic reactions to blue-green algae.

    In one case report, a 14-year-old male experienced anaphylaxis with urticaria, lip edema, and asthma 6 hours after taking five tablets of spirulina blue-green algae (A. platensis, strength unknown). He had a positive skin prick test.”

    Blue-green Algae · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    3 sources cited
    1. 91706. Le TM, Knulst AC, Röckmann H. Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets. Food Chem Toxicol 2014;74:309-10. PubMed
    2. 91711. Rzymski P, Niedzielski P, Kaczmarek N, Jurczak T, Klimaszyk P. The multidisciplinary approach to safety and toxicity assessment of microalgae-based food supplements following clinical cases of poisoning. Harmful Algae 2015;46:34-42. DOI
    3. 91712. Petrus M, Culerrier R, Campistron M, et al. First case report of anaphylaxis to spirulin: identification of phycocyanin as responsible allergen. Allergy 2010;65(7):924-5. PubMed
  • Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, three cases of mild gum bleeding and one case of mild bruising have been reported in patients taking spirulina blue-green algae (Cyactiv, Cerule LLC) 2.3 grams daily (containing approximately 1 gram of phycocanin) for 2 weeks.”

    Blue-green Algae · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in bleeding.

    1 source cited
    1. 97202. Jensen GS, Drapeau C, Lenninger M, Benson KF. Clinical safety of a high dose of phycocyanin-enriched aqueous extract from Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis: results from a randomized, double-Blind, placebo-controlled study with a focus on anticoagulant ac
  • Bloating or gas Additional detail

    “Orally, gastrointestinal complaints are amongst the most common adverse effects associated with spirulina blue-green algae, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Similarly, common adverse effects associated with the blue-green algae species Aphanizomenon flos-aquae are stomach upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and bloating.”

    Blue-green Algae · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    5 sources cited
    1. 19272. Katz M, Levine AA, Kol-Degani H, Kav-Venaki L. A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. J Atten Disord 2010;14:281-91. PubMed
    2. 75924. Halidou, Doudou M., Degbey, H., Daouda, H., Leveque, A., Donnen, P., Hennart, P., and Dramaix-Wilmet, M. [The effect of spiruline during nutritional rehabilitation: systematic review]. Rev.Epidemiol.Sante Publique 2008;56(6):425-431.
    3. 91713. Marles RJ, Barrett ML, Barnes J, et al. United States Pharmacopeia safety evaluation of spirulina. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2011;51(7):593-604. PubMed
    4. 109969. Moradi S, Zobeiri M, Feizi A, Clark CCT, Entezari MH. The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative
    5. 14842. Vitale S, Miller NR, Mejico LJ, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:18-32. PubMed
  • Stomach upset Additional detail

    Recorded for Blue-green Algae in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bloating or gas above.

Showing the 10 most notable of 20 recorded effects — ranked by how unusual each one is across medicines generally, with serious effects weighted up.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Blue-green Algae — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Botulinum Toxin Type A to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Botulinum Toxin Type A.

Overlapping uses

What Botulinum Toxin Type A Is Prescribed For, and What Blue-green Algae Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Botulinum Toxin Type A is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Blue-green Algae is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Botulinum Toxin Type A is prescribed for: Botox is approved to treat a wide range of conditions in adults and some children. These include overactive bladder (OAB) with urge incontinence, urinary incontinence caused by nerve-related bladder overactivity (in adults and in children aged 5 and older), prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month), muscle stiffness (spasticity) in patients aged 2 and older, cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain), severe underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when topical treatments haven't worked, eyelid spasms (blepharospasm) in patients aged 12 and older, and crossed eyes (strabismus) in patients aged 12 and older. BOTOX Cosmetic is a separate product containing the same active ingredient but with its own approved cosmetic uses. Both products are given by injection and are not interchangeable with other botulinum toxin products.

Read the rest of what Botulinum Toxin Type A is prescribed for

Botox has not been shown to work for episodic migraine (14 or fewer headache days per month), and its safety for excessive sweating in body areas other than the underarms has not been established.

Blue-green Algae has been studied for:

  • Blepharospasm studied, not established Blue-green Algae has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Blue-green Algae for blepharospasm

    It is unclear if oral blue-green algae are beneficial when used in conjunction with botulinum toxin injections.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Botulinum Toxin Type A on your own; if you are taking Blue-green Algae for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Blue-green Algae or Botulinum Toxin Type A

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Blue-green Algae or Botulinum Toxin Type A, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

One more smart check

Taking Blue-green Algae as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 3,180 real supplement products containing Blue-green Algae, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Blue-green Algae. Even though Blue-green Algae itself has no known interaction with Botulinum Toxin Type A, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Blue-green Algae
Top 10%

#82 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Botulinum Toxin Type A
Top half

#918 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Blue-green Algae reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Blue-green Algae

What is Blue-green Algae?

Blue-green Algae
  • General nutrition and energy
  • Antioxidant support
  • Cholesterol and metabolic health
  • Immune support
  • Weight management

Blue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and general wellness. Evidence for most health claims is limited, and some products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals, so quality testing matters. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Whole dried microorganism (algae biomass) · Tablets, capsules, powder, flakes, and liquid extracts

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Blue-green Algae is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Blue-green Algae record says about it on its own.

Blue-green Algae: dosing

There is no official, standardized dose for blue-green algae, and the amount varies a lot from product to product. Different species and forms (tablet, powder, or liquid) also differ in strength.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed them.

From our Blue-green Algae monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Blue-green Algae monograph & all interactions
Medication

About OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection

What Is OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection Used For?

Brand name: Botox

Botox is approved to treat a wide range of conditions in adults and some children. These include overactive bladder (OAB) with urge incontinence, urinary incontinence caused by nerve-related bladder overactivity (in adults and in children aged 5 and older), prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month), muscle stiffness (spasticity) in patients aged 2 and older, cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain), severe underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when topical treatments haven't worked, eyelid spasms (blepharospasm) in patients aged 12 and older, and crossed eyes (strabismus) in patients aged 12 and older.

BOTOX Cosmetic is a separate product containing the same active ingredient but with its own approved cosmetic uses. Both products are given by injection and are not interchangeable with other botulinum toxin products. Botox has not been shown to work for episodic migraine (14 or fewer headache days per month), and its safety for excessive sweating in body areas other than the underarms has not been established.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Botulinum Toxin Type A

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (12,344 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 1,596 reports
Drug intolerance 1,333 reports
Nausea 1,266 reports
Migraine 1,176 reports
Dizziness 1,126 reports
See full OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Blue-green Algae

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Blue-green Algae — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
327Moderate
0Minor
2,502No known interaction
327 Moderate 2,502 No interaction
Moderate

327 interactions

Showing 60 of 327 moderate interactions — see all 327 on the Blue-green Algae page.

No interaction 2,502 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Blue-green Algae against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,502 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Blue-green Algae list.

See the full Blue-green Algae interactions page
See every supplement checked against Botulinum Toxin Type A, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Blue-green Algae References

The 22 references that drive our Blue-green Algae monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Jensen GS, Ginsberg DJ, Huerta P, et al. Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae has rapid effects on the circulation and function of immune cells in humans. A novel approach to nutritional mobilization of the immune system. JANA 2000;2:50-6.
  2. Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
  3. Hayashi O, Katoh T, Okuwaki Y. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary Spirulina platensis. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1994;40:431-41.. PubMed
  4. Vitale S, Miller NR, Mejico LJ, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:18-32. PubMed
  5. Mani UV, Desai S, Iyer U. Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. J Nutraceut 2000;2(3):25-32. DOI
  6. Chiu HF, Yang SP, Kuo YL, et al. Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet effect of C-phycocyanin. Br J Nutr 2006;95:435-40. PubMed
  7. Hsiao G, Chou PH, Shen MY, et al. C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53:7734-40.
  8. Katz M, Levine AA, Kol-Degani H, Kav-Venaki L. A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. J Atten Disord 2010;14:281-91. PubMed
  9. Madhyastha, H. K., Radha, K. S., Sugiki, M., Omura, S., and Maruyama, M. Purification of c-phycocyanin from Spirulina fusiformis and its effect on the induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator from calf pulmonary endothelial cells. Phytomedicine PubMed
  10. Mazokopakis, E. E., Karefilakis, C. M., Tsartsalis, A. N., Milkas, A. N., and Ganotakis, E. S. Acute rhabdomyolysis caused by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):525-527. PubMed
  11. Halidou, Doudou M., Degbey, H., Daouda, H., Leveque, A., Donnen, P., Hennart, P., and Dramaix-Wilmet, M. [The effect of spiruline during nutritional rehabilitation: systematic review]. Rev.Epidemiol.Sante Publique 2008;56(6):425-431.
  12. Konno, T., Umeda, Y., Umeda, M., Kawachi, I., Oyake, M., and Fujita, N. [A case of inflammatory myopathy with widely skin rash following use of supplements containing Spirulina]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51(5):330-333. PubMed
  13. Le TM, Knulst AC, Röckmann H. Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets. Food Chem Toxicol 2014;74:309-10. PubMed
  14. Rzymski P, Niedzielski P, Kaczmarek N, Jurczak T, Klimaszyk P. The multidisciplinary approach to safety and toxicity assessment of microalgae-based food supplements following clinical cases of poisoning. Harmful Algae 2015;46:34-42. DOI
  15. Petrus M, Culerrier R, Campistron M, et al. First case report of anaphylaxis to spirulin: identification of phycocyanin as responsible allergen. Allergy 2010;65(7):924-5. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Blue-green Algae with Botulinum Toxin Type A?
We do not list a known interaction between Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Are Blue-green Algae and Botulinum Toxin Type A used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Blue-green Algae in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Botulinum Toxin Type A is being adjusted to a target.
Does Blue-green Algae interact with any other medications?
Yes. Blue-green Algae has 327 documented drug interactions in our database — Botulinum Toxin Type A is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Blue-green Algae monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Botulinum Toxin Type A supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Botulinum Toxin Type A, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 22 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Botulinum Toxin Type A and Blue-green Algae?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.