Herb & supplement monograph

Squalamine Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated July 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Squalamine interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Squalamine is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Squalamine is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Squalamine

0 medications have a known interaction with Squalamine, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Squalamine. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Squalamine combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Squalamine: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Squalamine is a compound first found in the dogfish shark that has mainly been studied as an experimental drug, not as a common dietary supplement. Research has looked at it for cancer and certain eye diseases, but evidence in people is limited and it is not an approved or widely available treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any product claiming to contain it.

Part used
Originally isolated from the liver and tissues of the dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias); also made synthetically
Common forms
Investigational drug forms (intravenous infusion, eye drops); not a typical over-the-counter dietary supplement
People commonly use it for
  • Cancer (investigational)
  • Age-related macular degeneration (eye disease)
  • Antimicrobial / antiviral interest
  • Anti-angiogenesis (blocking new blood vessel growth)

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallLimited data

Squalamine has mainly been studied in research settings, and its safety as a self-care supplement is not established.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information is available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information is available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Squalamine is a natural compound that was first discovered in the tissues of the dogfish shark, a small shark found in cool ocean waters. Scientists became interested in it because it appeared to have germ-fighting and blood-vessel-blocking properties.

Unlike most herbs and supplements, squalamine has been developed and tested mainly as an experimental drug, not as a product you would normally buy off a store shelf. It has been made synthetically in the lab so that researchers do not need to rely on sharks. Most of what is known about it comes from laboratory studies and early clinical trials.

How it works

Squalamine is a type of molecule called an aminosterol. Researchers believe it may work in a few ways, based mostly on laboratory and animal studies:

  • It may interfere with the growth of new blood vessels (a process called anti-angiogenesis), which is one reason it was studied in cancer and eye disease.
  • It can attach to cell membranes and affect how certain proteins behave inside cells.
  • It appears to have some ability to disrupt bacteria and viruses in the lab.

These mechanisms are still being explored, and laboratory findings do not always translate into real benefits for people.

Effectiveness

Does Squalamine work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 4 uses evaluated
4 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Squalamine, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 4 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if intravenous squalamine is beneficial in patients with AMD.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Lung cancer
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if intravenous squalamine is beneficial in patients with lung cancer.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Retinal vein occlusion
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if topical squalamine is beneficial in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if topical squalamine is beneficial in patients with scalp ringworm.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Because squalamine has mainly been used in research and clinical trials, its safety as a self-care supplement is not well understood. There is no established safe dose for general use.

People with serious health conditions, those taking prescription medicines, and anyone considering a product that claims to contain squalamine should speak with a doctor or pharmacist first. Be cautious of unregulated products sold online, since their contents and purity may not be verified.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough information to know whether squalamine is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. To be safe, it should be avoided in both situations.

Side effects

Because squalamine is not a widely used supplement, its full side effect profile in everyday use is not well documented. In clinical trials, the kinds of side effects reported depended on the form used and the dose given.

As with any biologically active compound, possible reactions could include digestive upset, irritation, or allergic responses. If you experience any unusual symptoms after using a product, stop using it and contact a healthcare provider. Seek emergency care for signs of a serious allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, swelling, or hives.

Squalamine: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Squalamine from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Topically and intravenously, squalamine seems to be well tolerated; however, a thorough safety evaluation has not been conducted.

Most Common Adverse Effects:

Intravenously: Fatigue, loss of appetite, myalgia, nausea, transaminitis, vomiting.

Reports by condition
Fatigue Neurologic/CNS

Intravenously, squalamine has been associated with reports of mild to moderate fatigue in clinical research.

  1. Bhargava P, Marshall JL, Dahut W, et al. A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of squalamine, a novel antiangiogenic agent, in patients with advanced cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7(12):3912-9.
Muscle cramps Musculoskeletal

Intravenously, squalamine has been associated with reports of mild to moderate myalgias and muscle cramps in clinical research.

  1. Bhargava P, Marshall JL, Dahut W, et al. A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of squalamine, a novel antiangiogenic agent, in patients with advanced cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7(12):3912-9.
Myasthenia gravis Hepatic

Intravenously, squalamine at doses above 192 mg/m2 daily has been associated with reports of elevated hepatic transaminase levels. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were about 5 to over 20 times above upper normal levels in some patients. The increased levels were noted 2-5 days after beginning squalamine. Both values returned to baseline within 6-23 days. These patients also had mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase and one patient had a moderately elevated bilirubin level.

  1. Bhargava P, Marshall JL, Dahut W, et al. A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of squalamine, a novel antiangiogenic agent, in patients with advanced cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7(12):3912-9.
Nausea and vomiting Gastrointestinal

Intravenously, squalamine has been associated with reports of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting, as well as mild loss of appetite, in clinical research.

  1. Bhargava P, Marshall JL, Dahut W, et al. A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of squalamine, a novel antiangiogenic agent, in patients with advanced cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7(12):3912-9.
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.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no established or standardized dose of squalamine for use as a dietary supplement. The doses used in research were carefully controlled inside clinical trials and are not meant for self-use.

If you come across a commercial product claiming to contain squalamine, follow the directions on the label and check with a pharmacist before taking it. Keep in mind that supplement quality and labeling are not always reliable, and a pharmacist can help you decide whether using such a product makes sense for you.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Squalamine & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information is available; avoid using.

Squalamine & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information is available; 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

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 1 references that drive our Squalamine 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. Bhargava P, Marshall JL, Dahut W, et al. A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of squalamine, a novel antiangiogenic agent, in patients with advanced cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7(12):3912-9.
Keep reading

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.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Squalamine: Common Questions

What is Squalamine used for, and does it work?
People use Squalamine for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does Squalamine interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Squalamine. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Squalamine interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Squalamine with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Squalamine interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Squalamine used for?
Squalamine has mainly been studied as an experimental drug for cancer and certain eye diseases, and for possible germ-fighting effects. It is not an approved or proven treatment for these conditions.
Is Squalamine a normal dietary supplement?
Not really. It was developed and tested mostly as an investigational drug rather than a common over-the-counter supplement, and it is not widely available as a regulated product.
Is Squalamine safe to take?
Its safety for everyday self-care use is not well established, so it should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Can I take Squalamine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. There is not enough safety information, so it is best to avoid Squalamine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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

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