Drug & supplement interaction

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) + Deferiprone

Deferiprone brand name: Ferriprox.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone 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 Deferiprone 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.

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Interaction report

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone

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 Deferiprone and Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) 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.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) safety at a glance

Docosahexaenoic Ac... overall Generally safe DHA is generally well tolerated at typical supplement doses for most adults.

Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. An intake of DHA 650 mg daily from food and/or supplements during pregnancy seems to be required to prevent a reduction in D... Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. An intake of DHA 650 mg daily from food and/or supplements during pregnancy seems to be required to prevent a reduction in D... Read the full breastfeeding detail

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.

Still wondering about combining Deferiprone and Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Deferiprone

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Deferiprone is filed under a single classification — oral drugs. Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has documented interactions with 3 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), antidiabetes drugs (moderate) and antihypertensive drugs (moderate) — and none of Deferiprone’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) Does Interact With Other Medications

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has 375 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Deferiprone isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 375 No known interaction 2,455 (incl. Deferiprone)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha). Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

Reduced appetite / Stomach upset Additional detail
Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)
“Orally, DHA may cause gastrointestinal upset, fishy aftertaste, belching, flatulence, heartburn, loose stools, anorexia, and dry mouth. There is also some evidence that increased serum levels of DHA might be associated with an increased risk for atrophic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, but further research is needed to clarify this finding.

For fish oils containing EPA and DHA, side effects c…”

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.
6 sources cited

10869. Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2003;160:996-8.. PubMed

11333. Wheaton DH, Hoffman DR, Locke KG, et al. Biological safety assessment of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in a randomized clinical trial for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1269-78. PubMed

48217. Mischoulon D, Best-Popescu C, Laposata M, et al. A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008;18(9):639-645. PubMed

109218. Garmendia ML, Casanello P, Flores M, Kusanovic JP, Uauy R. The effects of a combined intervention (docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and home-based dietary counseling) on metabolic control in obese and overweight pregnant women: the MIGHT study. Am J O PubMed

8709. Ito Y, Suzuki K, Imai H, et al. Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on atrophic gastritis in a Japanese population. Cancer Lett 2001;163:171-8. PubMed

1009. Grimsgaard S, Bonaa KH, Hansen JB, Nordoy A. Highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in humans have similar triacylglycerol-lowering effects but divergent effects on serum fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:649-59.
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Diarrhea / Nausea reported in 5.3% of FDA reports for Deferiprone Additional detail

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)

“Orally, DHA is generally well-tolerated when used in doses up to 3 grams daily. Intravenously, DHA seems to be well tolerated.

Most Common Adverse Effects:

Orally: Belching, fishy aftertaste, loose stools, and nausea.

Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

Orally: Some case reports raise concerns about increased risk of bleeding with high doses of fish oil containing DHA.”

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Headache Additional detail
Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)
“Orally, DHA may cause dizziness, headache, insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety. In one clinical study, one parent of a pediatric patient treated with DHA 600 mg daily reported increased disruptive behavior in the child.”

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anxiety.
4 sources cited

10869. Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2003;160:996-8.. PubMed

11333. Wheaton DH, Hoffman DR, Locke KG, et al. Biological safety assessment of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in a randomized clinical trial for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1269-78. PubMed

48217. Mischoulon D, Best-Popescu C, Laposata M, et al. A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008;18(9):639-645. PubMed

90699. Richardson AJ, Burton JR, Sewell RP, Spreckelsen TF, Montgomery P. Docosahexaenoic acid for reading, cognition and behavior in children aged 7-9 years: a randomized, controlled trial (the DOLAB Study). PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e43909. PubMed
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) but not commonly for Deferiprone: bloating or gas, heartburn, dry mouth and dizziness.

Effects for Deferiprone come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 3,004 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Deferiprone that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally and appropriately. An intake of DHA 650 mg daily from food and/or supplements during pregnancy seems to be required to prevent a reduction in DHA status before delivery. DHA is commonly used during pregnancy and lactation and is a component of some prenatal supplements. DHA is a normal component of breast milk, with higher levels in breast milk following term vs. preterm pregnancies. When taken as a prenatal supplement, DHA increases DHA levels in breast milk. Doses of DHA ranging from 300-600 mg daily beginning during the first trimester of pregnancy have been used safely in clinical research. When taken during lactation, DHA increases DHA levels in breast milk. When initiated within 72 hours of delivery of a very preterm infant, taking DHA 1.2 grams daily increases DHA levels in breast milk within 14 days. One study found that DHA supplementation during lactation increased the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in breast-feeding infants born less than 29 weeks gestational age; however, it is unclear if this was due to DHA or various confounding factors. The tolerable upper intake level of DHA during pregnancy or lactation has not been established; most experts recommend DHA 200-300 mg daily. While it is typically advised that this need is met by consuming 8-12 ounces of seafood weekly during pregnancy and 4-8 ounces weekly during lactation, those with nutrient deficiency or those following a vegan diet may meet this need with supplementation.

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

How to take them

Some Deferiprone Products Have a Food Rule — Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Deferiprone says to take it with food. If you take Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Deferiprone with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Deferiprone 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.

Recommended Dosage for 1,000 mg FERRIPROX T ablets ( twice a day) for Adult and Pediatric Patients with Transfusional Iron Overload due to Thalassemia Syndromes, Sickle Cell Disease or Other Anemias Starting Dos ag e for T wice a Day Tablets The recommended starting oral dosage of FERRIPROX Tablets (twice a day) is 75 mg/kg/day (actual body weight) in two divided doses per day (taken approxima

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Deferiprone — 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.

Overlapping uses

What Deferiprone Is Prescribed For, and What Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Deferiprone is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Deferiprone is prescribed for: Deferiprone is used to remove excess iron that builds up in the body from repeated blood transfusions — a condition called transfusional iron overload. Too much iron in the body can damage organs over time, so deferiprone works to capture and remove it. Ferriprox oral solution is approved for adults and children 3 years and older with thalassemia syndromes, sickle cell disease, or other anemias. Ferriprox tablets are approved for adults and children 8 years and older with the same conditions.

Read the rest of what Deferiprone is prescribed for

Deferiprone tablets (generic) are approved for adult patients with thalassemia syndromes when their current iron-removal treatment is not working well enough.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has been studied for:

Sickle cell disease studied, not established Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) for sickle cell disease

It is unclear if oral DHA is beneficial for treating sickle cell disease.

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 Deferiprone on your own; if you are taking Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Deferiprone

This page covers Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Deferiprone page lists 17 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), European Mandrake (moderate), Glucomannan (moderate) and Guar Gum (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Deferiprone page

“Deferiprone (Ferriprox) pulls excess iron out of the body in conditions like thalassemia, and that job depends on the pill actually being absorbed. Every one of the 17 supplements flagged against it threatens that step, which is why this list warrants real vigilance rather than a shrug.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Deferiprone interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone 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 Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)

Steady interest

#1,043 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Medication Deferiprone

Steady interest

#2,049 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 Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone 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 Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)

What is Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)?

Brain and cognitive health
Eye and vision health
Fetal and infant development
Heart and triglyceride support
General omega-3 supplementation

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and algae that is a building block for the brain, nervous system, and eyes. It is widely used and generally well tolerated, with the strongest support for fetal/infant development and lowering triglycerides; evidence for many other uses is mixed. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you are pregnant, have a bleeding risk, or take blood thinners.

Fatty fish oils, algae · Softgels, capsules, liquid oil, algae-based (vegetarian) capsules, prenatal vitamins

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) record says about it on its own.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha): dosing

There is no single standard dose of DHA that fits everyone, and the right amount depends on your reason for using it. Do not assume that taking more is better, since higher doses raise the chance of side effects and bleeding.

From our Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) monograph & all interactions

Medication

About Deferiprone

What Is Deferiprone Used For?

Brand name: Ferriprox

Deferiprone is used to remove excess iron that builds up in the body from repeated blood transfusions — a condition called transfusional iron overload. Too much iron in the body can damage organs over time, so deferiprone works to capture and remove it.

Ferriprox oral solution is approved for adults and children 3 years and older with thalassemia syndromes, sickle cell disease, or other anemias. Ferriprox tablets are approved for adults and children 8 years and older with the same conditions. Deferiprone tablets (generic) are approved for adult patients with thalassemia syndromes when their current iron-removal treatment is not working well enough.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Deferiprone

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (3,004 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Sickle cell anaemia with crisis 191 reports

Agranulocytosis 158 reports

Nausea 158 reports

Fatigue 138 reports

Ill-defined disorder 135 reports

See full Deferiprone drug information

Keep checking

Other Drugs & Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major

375Moderate

0Minor

2,454No known interaction

375 Moderate 2,454 No interaction

Moderate

375 interactions

Showing 60 of 375 moderate interactions — see all 375 on the Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) page.

No interaction 2,454 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,454 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) list.

See the full Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) interactions page

See every supplement checked against Deferiprone, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) References

The 49 references that drive our Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) 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.

Akedo I, Ishikawa H, Nakamura T, et al. Three cases with familial adenomatous polyposis diagnosed as having malignant lesions in the course of a long-term trial using docosahexanoic acid (DHA)-concentrated fish oil capsules (abstract). Jpn J Clin Oncol PubMed
Prisco D, Paniccia R, Bandinelli B, et al. Effect of medium-term supplementation with a moderate dose of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients. Thromb Res 1998;1:105-12.
Grimsgaard S, Bonaa KH, Hansen JB, Nordoy A. Highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in humans have similar triacylglycerol-lowering effects but divergent effects on serum fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:649-59.
Toft I, Bonaa KH, Ingebretsen OC, et al. Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1995;123:911-8.
Sacks FM, Hebert P, Appel LJ, et al. Short report: the effect of fish oil on blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in phase I of the trials of hypertension prevention. J Hypertens 1994;12:209-13.
Vandongen R, Mori TA, Burke V, et al. Effects on blood pressure of omega 3 fats in subjects at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension 1993;22:371-9. PubMed
FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Letter regarding dietary supplement health claim for omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/95s0316/95s-0316-Rpt0272-38-Appendix-D-Reference
Pedersen HS, Mulvad G, Seidelin KN, et al. N-3 fatty acids as a risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke. Lancet 1999;353:812-3. PubMed
Ito Y, Suzuki K, Imai H, et al. Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on atrophic gastritis in a Japanese population. Cancer Lett 2001;163:171-8. PubMed
Kris-Ehterton PM, Harris WS, Appel LJ, et al. Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease. Circulation 2002;106:2747-57. PubMed
Woodman RJ, Mori TA, Burke V, et al. Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on glycemic control, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients with treated hypertension. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:1007-15.. PubMed
Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2003;160:996-8.. PubMed
Leng GC, Smith FB, Fowkes FG, et al. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acids and smoking, serum lipids, blood pressure and haemostatic and rheological factors. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:101-8. PubMed
Nelson GJ, Schmidt PS, Bartolini GL, et al. The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on platelet function, platelet fatty acid composition, and blood coagulation in humans. Lipids 1997;32:1129-36. PubMed
Wheaton DH, Hoffman DR, Locke KG, et al. Biological safety assessment of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in a randomized clinical trial for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1269-78. PubMed
Malcolm CA, McCulloch DL, Montgomery C, et al. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy and visual evoked potential development in term infants: a double blind, prospective, randomised trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2003;88: DOI
Sanjurjo P, Ruiz-Sanz JI, Jimeno P, et al. Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid in the last trimester of pregnancy: maternal-fetal biochemical findings. J Perinat Med 2004;32:132-6.
Montgomery C, Speake BK, Cameron A, et al. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and fetal accretion. Br J Nutr 2003;90:135-45. DOI
Lauritzen L, Hoppe C, Straarup EM, Michaelsen KF. Maternal fish oil supplementation in lactation and growth during the first 2.5 years of life. Pediatr Res 2005;58:235-42. PubMed
Hawkes JS, Bryan DL, Makrides M, et al. A randomized trial of supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid-rich tuna oil and its effects on the human milk cytokines interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;75:75
Uauy R, Hoffman DR, Mena P, et al. Term infant studies of DHA and ARA supplementation on neurodevelopment: Results of randomized controlled trials. J Pediatr 2003;143:S17-25. PubMed
Decsi, T., Campoy, C., and Koletzko, B. Effect of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy: the Nuheal trial. Adv.Exp Med Biol 2005;569:109-113. PubMed
Mori, T. A., Bao, D. Q., Burke, V., Puddey, I. B., and Beilin, L. J. Docosahexaenoic acid but not eicosapentaenoic acid lowers ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in humans. Hypertension 1999;34(2):253-260. PubMed
Otto, S. J., van Houwelingen, A. C., and Hornstra, G. The effect of supplementation with docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid derived from single cell oils on plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids of pregnant women in the second trimester. Prostaglandins Le PubMed
Helland, I. B., Saugstad, O. D., Smith, L., Saarem, K., Solvoll, K., Ganes, T., and Drevon, C. A. Similar effects on infants of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids supplementation to pregnant and lactating women. Pediatrics 2001;108(5):E82. PubMed
Nestel, P., Shige, H., Pomeroy, S., Cehun, M., Abbey, M., and Raederstorff, D. The n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increase systemic arterial compliance in humans. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2002;76(2):326-330. PubMed
Woodman, R. J., Mori, T. A., Burke, V., Puddey, I. B., Barden, A., Watts, G. F., and Beilin, L. J. Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on platelet, fibrinolytic and vascular function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients PubMed
Jensen, C. L., Voigt, R. G., Prager, T. C., Zou, Y. L., Fraley, J. K., Rozelle, J. C., Turcich, M. R., Llorente, A. M., Anderson, R. E., and Heird, W. C. Effects of maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake on visual function and neurodevelopment in breastfed
Theobald, H. E., Goodall, A. H., Sattar, N., Talbot, D. C., Chowienczyk, P. J., and Sanders, T. A. Low-dose docosahexaenoic acid lowers diastolic blood pressure in middle-aged men and women. J Nutr 2007;137(4):973-978.
Mischoulon D, Best-Popescu C, Laposata M, et al. A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008;18(9):639-645. PubMed
Birch EE, Carlson SE, Hoffman DR, et al. The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexa
Carlson SE, Colombo J, Gajewski BJ, Gustafson KM, Mundy D, Yeast J, Georgieff MK, Markley LA, Kerling EH, Shaddy DJ. DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Apr;97(4):808-15. PubMed
Escamilla-Nuñez MC, Barraza-Villarreal A, Hernández-Cadena L, Navarro-Olivos E, Sly PD, Romieu I. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and respiratory symptoms in children. Chest. 2014 Aug;146(2):373-82. PubMed
Fu YQ, Zheng JS, Yang B, Li D. Effect of individual omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. J Epidemiol. 2015;25(4):261-74. PubMed
Imhoff-Kunsch B, Stein AD, Villalpando S, Martorell R, Ramakrishnan U. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation from mid-pregnancy to parturition influenced breast milk fatty acid concentrations at 1 month postpartum in Mexican women. J Nutr. 2011 Feb;141(2): PubMed
Judge MP, Cong X, Harel O, Courville AB, Lammi-Keefe CJ. Maternal consumption of a DHA-containing functional food benefits infant sleep patterning: an early neurodevelopmental measure. Early Hum Dev. 2012 Jul;88(7):531-7. PubMed
Mulder KA, King DJ, Innis SM. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in infants before birth identified using a randomized trial of maternal DHA supplementation in pregnancy. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 10;9(1):e83764. PubMed
Richardson AJ, Burton JR, Sewell RP, Spreckelsen TF, Montgomery P. Docosahexaenoic acid for reading, cognition and behavior in children aged 7-9 years: a randomized, controlled trial (the DOLAB Study). PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e43909. PubMed
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation 2012;25(4);3-4
FDA announces qualified health claims for omega-3 fatty acids. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm072756.htm. Accessed April 15 2019.
Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Section on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827-41. PubMed
Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, Mitmesser SH. Dietary Intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids among US Childbearing-Age and Pregnant Women: An Analysis of NHANES 2001-2014. Nutrients. 2018;10(4). PubMed
Montgomery P, Spreckelsen TF, Burton A, Burton JR, Richardson AJ. Docosahexaenoic acid for reading, working memory and behavior in UK children aged 7-9: A randomized controlled trial for replication (the DOLAB II study). PLoS One. 2018;13(2):e0192909. PubMed
Marc I, Piedboeuf B, Lacaze-Masmonteil T, et al. Effect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on bronchopulmonary dysplasia-free survival in breastfed preterm infants: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2020;324(2):157-167. PubMed
Fougère H, Bilodeau JF, Lavoie PM, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid-rich algae oil supplementation on breast milk fatty acid profile of mothers who delivered prematurely: a randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep 2021;11(1):21492. PubMed
Garmendia ML, Casanello P, Flores M, Kusanovic JP, Uauy R. The effects of a combined intervention (docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and home-based dietary counseling) on metabolic control in obese and overweight pregnant women: the MIGHT study. Am J O PubMed
Christifano DN, Gustafson KM, Carlson SE, et al. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid exposure needed to achieve maternal-newborn EQ. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3300. PubMed
Vizzari G, Morniroli D, Alessandretti F, et al. Comparative analysis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in mother's milk of term and preterm mothers. Nutrients 2022;14(21):4595. PubMed
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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 Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) with Deferiprone?

We do not list a known interaction between Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone. 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.

Do Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone have any of the same side effects?

Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 5 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.

Should I take Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone at the same time of day?

At least one FDA label for a product containing Deferiprone says to take it with food. If you take Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Deferiprone with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Deferiprone products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.

Are Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone 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 Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Deferiprone is being adjusted to a target.

How was the Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) and Deferiprone combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Deferiprone is filed under 1 classification, and Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has documented interactions with 3 drug classes — none of Deferiprone's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.

Does Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) interact with any other medications?

Yes. Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) has 375 documented drug interactions in our database — Deferiprone is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Does Deferiprone interact with any supplements?

Yes. Deferiprone has documented interactions with 17 supplements in our database — Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) is not one of them. The Deferiprone interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

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Docosahexaenoic Acid (dha) monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Deferiprone drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Deferiprone supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Deferiprone, 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 49 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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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.