Canthaxanthin + Esomeprazole
Esomeprazole brand name: Nexium.
We found no known interaction between Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole 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. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Esomeprazole states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.
Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole
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 Esomeprazole and Canthaxanthin 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.
Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Canthaxanthin at all — not against Esomeprazole, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.
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.
Canthaxanthin safety at a glance
Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Canthaxanthin in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
When consumed in doses to treat and reduce photosensitivities due to reported retinal changes with use; avoid using.
When used orally in large amounts for artificial tanning purposes due to reported retinal changes with use; avoid using.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Some Esomeprazole Products Have a Food Rule — Canthaxanthin Should Not Break It
At least one FDA label for a product containing Esomeprazole says to take it on an empty stomach. Most supplements — Canthaxanthin included — are taken with a meal, so the easy mistake is swallowing both together at breakfast. Where that rule applies, keep Esomeprazole on its own and move Canthaxanthin to a meal later in the day.
This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Esomeprazole products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.
Table 2: Recommended Dosage of Esomeprazole Magnesium Delayed-Release Capsules in Pediatric Patients by Indication Indication Patient Age Recommended Dosage Duration Healing of EE 12 years to 17 years Esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules: 20 mg or 40 mg once daily 4 to 8 Weeks Treatment of Symptomatic GERD 12 years to 17 years Esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules: 20 mg once
From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Esomeprazole — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›
A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.
Questions About Canthaxanthin or Esomeprazole
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Canthaxanthin or Esomeprazole, 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:
- Can You Take Xarelto And Nexium Together? ›
- Can You Take Zyrtec And Xyzal Together? ›
- Taking Nexium With Ibuprofen ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Esomeprazole
This page covers Canthaxanthin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Esomeprazole page lists 154 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).
By severity: 3 major · 102 moderate · 49 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Esomeprazole page
“St. John's wort can lower the amount of esomeprazole (Nexium) in your blood by speeding up how the liver clears it, which can leave heartburn or ulcer treatment falling short.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Taking Canthaxanthin as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 1 real supplement products containing Canthaxanthin, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Canthaxanthin. Even though Canthaxanthin itself has no known interaction with Esomeprazole, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole 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.
#695 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,509 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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 Canthaxanthin reference on this page ↓
- Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole 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.
About Canthaxanthin
What is Canthaxanthin?
- Skin coloring or 'tanning pills'
- Food and feed coloring (e.g., to color farmed fish/poultry)
- Antioxidant supplement
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria (light sensitivity, historical/medical use)
Canthaxanthin is a reddish-orange carotenoid pigment used mainly as a coloring agent and in 'tanning pills.' There is little good evidence it provides health benefits, and high doses have been linked to a serious eye problem called canthaxanthin retinopathy, so the tanning-pill use is widely discouraged.
Carotenoid pigment (synthetic or from sources like the mushroom Cantharellus cinnabarinus, certain algae, and crustaceans) · Oral tablets and capsules, often marketed as 'tanning pills'; also used as a food coloring additive
An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Canthaxanthin is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Canthaxanthin record says about it on its own.
Canthaxanthin: dosing
There is no established, recommended supplement dose of canthaxanthin for any health condition, and the high doses once used for skin coloring are not considered safe. Given the known risks at high doses, most people are better off avoiding supplemental canthaxanthin entirely.
From our Canthaxanthin monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.
About Esomeprazole
What Is Esomeprazole Used For?
Brand name: Nexium
Esomeprazole treats problems caused by excess stomach acid. It's used to heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from acid), control GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms like heartburn, and protect the stomach lining in people at risk for ulcers caused by NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen).
It's also used as part of a three-drug combination to wipe out H. pylori — a stomach bacteria linked to ulcers — and for people with rare conditions that cause the stomach to overproduce acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Most-Reported Side Effects for Esomeprazole
From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (235,235 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.
Other Drugs & Canthaxanthin
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Canthaxanthin — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Canthaxanthin against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Apixaban ›
- Levothyroxine ›
- Amlodipine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Warfarin ›
- Sertraline ›
- Testosterone ›
- Losartan Potassium ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Aspirin ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Rivaroxaban ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Tadalafil ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Clopidogrel ›
- Atorvastatin ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Docusate ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Abemaciclib ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Warfarin Sodium ›
- Prednisone ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Bupropion ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Amitriptyline ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Fluoxetine ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Acetaminophen, Codeine ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Omeprazole ›
- Quetiapine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Amlodipine Besylate ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Letrozole ›
- Buspirone ›
- Citalopram ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Naproxen ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Canthaxanthin list.
Canthaxanthin References
The 21 references that drive our Canthaxanthin 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.
- Mathews-Roth MM. Carotenoids in erythropoietic protoporphyria and other photosensitivity diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1993; 691:127-38. PubMed
- Jackson R. Quick suntan pills in Canada. J Am Acad Dermatol 1981;4:233. PubMed
- Lober CW. Canthaxanthin- the "tanning" pill. J Am Acad Dermatol 1985;13:660. PubMed
- Rock GA, Decary F, Cole RS. Orange plasma from tanning capsules. Lancet 1981;1:1419-20. PubMed
- Bluhm R, Branch R, Johnston P, Stein R. Aplastic anemia associated with canthaxanthin ingested for 'tanning' purposes. JAMA 1990;264:1141-2. DOI
- Harnois C, Samson J, Malenfant M, Rousseau A. Canthaxanthin retinopathy. Anatomic and funtional reversibility. Arch Ophthalmol 1989;107:538-40. DOI
- Herbert V. Canthaxanthin toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:573-4. DOI
- White GL Jr, Beesley R, Thiese SM, Murdock RT. Retinal crystals and oral tanning agents. Am Fam Physician 1988;37:125-6.
- Chang TS, Aylward W, Clarkson JG, Gass JD. Asymmetric canthaxanthin retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol 1995;119:801-2. PubMed
- Leyon H, Ros AM, Nyberg S, Algvere P. Reversibility of canthaxanthin deposits within the retina. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1990;68:607-11. PubMed
- Espaillat A, Aiello LP, Arrigg PG, et al. Canthaxanthine retinopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 1999;117:412-3.. PubMed
- Anon. Porphyria information for patients and their families. University of Cape Town / Medical Research Council - Liver Research Center 2000. Available at: http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/porphyria/
- Thomsen, K., Schmidt, H., and Fischer, A. Beta-carotene in erythropoietic protoporphyria: 5 years' experience. Dermatologica 1979;159(1):82-86. PubMed
- Haeger-Aronsen, B., Krook, G., and Abdulla, M. Oral carotenoids for photohypersensitivity in patients with erythrohepatic protoporphyria, polymorphous light eruptions and lupus erythematodes discoides. Int.J.Dermatol. 1979;18(1):73-82. PubMed
- Suhonen, R. and Plosila, M. The effect of beta-carotene in combination with canthaxanthin, Ro 8-8427 (Phenoro), in treatment of polymorphous light eruptions. Dermatologica 1981;163(2):172-176. PubMed
- Eales, L. The effects of canthaxanthin on the photocutaneous manifestations of porphyria. S.Afr.Med.J. 12-16-1978;54(25):1050-1052.
- Gupta, A. K., Haberman, H. F., Pawlowski, D., Shulman, G., and Menon, I. A. Canthaxanthin. Int.J.Dermatol. 1985;24(8):528-532.
- Raab, W. P., Tronnier, H., and Wiskemann, A. Photoprotection and skin coloring by oral carotenoids. Dermatologica 1985;171(5):371-373. PubMed
- Bareford, D., Cumberbatch, M., and Derrick, Tovey L. Plasma discolouration due to sun-tanning aids. Vox Sang. 1984;46(3):180-182. DOI
- Macdonald, K., Holti, G., and Marks, J. Is there a place for beta-carotene/canthaxanthin in photochemotherapy for psoriasis? Dermatologica 1984;169(1):41-46.
- Gunson, H. H., Merry, A. H., Britton, G., and Stratton, F. Detection of carotenoids in blood donors taking Orobronze: a cautionary note. Clin.Lab Haematol. 1984;6(3):287-292. 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.
Esomeprazole Is Linked to Lower Levels of 9 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Esomeprazole as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Canthaxanthin — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Esomeprazole nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole Together: Common Questions
Is it safe to take Canthaxanthin with Esomeprazole?
Do Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole have any of the same side effects?
Should I take Canthaxanthin and Esomeprazole at the same time of day?
Does Esomeprazole interact with any supplements?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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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.