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Dietary supplement

AOX Defense Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

AOX Defense is a dietary supplement by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for vitamin c source, digestive upset, stress and relaxation (aromatherapy).Based on those ingredients, 247 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Sicilian Blood Orange fruit and peel extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Sicilian blood orange fruit and peel extract. The extract includes the whole fruit and peel, which carry the orange's naturally occurring compounds.

The capsule also holds several inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, maltodextrin, calcium silicate, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and sodium lauryl sulfate — which are fillers, binders, and capsule materials.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Sweet Orange's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: antioxidant support for workout recovery.
  • We looked for evidence on: exercise-induced oxidative stress, muscle damage prevention, free radical scavenging.
  • The closest evidence on file: Sweet Orange is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Stress (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for Sicilian blood orange extract isn't established in the data we hold. The product is marketed for pre-procedural anxiety, asthma, prostate cancer, common cold, constipation, and depression, but we don't have reliable evidence supporting any of these uses at this time.

That doesn't mean it's ineffective — it means the research either isn't there yet or isn't strong enough to rate.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sweet Orange

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Sweet orange fruit and juice are safe for most people as food, but concentrated extracts like the one in this supplement haven't been well studied, so we'd suggest using caution. Adverse effects are uncommon, though there have been rare reports of intestinal cramping in children who ate large amounts of orange peel.

For pregnancy and lactation, the data rates this extract as likely safe, but that rating applies to typical food amounts — talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing and considering a concentrated supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sweet Orange

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sweet Orange.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 247 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're on OATP substrates, pravastatin, ivermectin, celiprolol, P-glycoprotein substrates, quinolone antibiotics, or fexofenadine — these Major and Moderate interactions can change how your medications work. Because this product interacts with so many drug types, any prescription medication or serious over-the-counter drug warrants a double-check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is a single-ingredient extract that hasn't been proven effective for any of its listed uses. More importantly, it interacts with a very large number of medications across multiple drug types.

If you take any prescription drugs, heart medications, antibiotics, antihistamines, or cholesterol drugs, you need to check with your own pharmacist or doctor before taking AOX Defense. Even over-the-counter medications can be affected.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about AOX Defense, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance
Net contents 30 Reddish-Filled Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 312700
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult Male (18-50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Reddish-Filled Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Reddish-Filled Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
Sicilian Blood Orange fruit and peel extract100 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Maltodextrin, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

5 products in 1 pack GNC AMP Men's Extreme Training Vitapak Program delivers the power of five science-based formulas to help you maximize your physical and mental intensity and get the most from your workout. Protect your muscles

Vitapak program with performance + endurance support

No artificial flavors, gluten free. Gluten free

Formula

Clinically researched antioxidants to defend against damaging free radicals caused by intense workouts

General Statements

If it's on our packages, then it's in our boxes. Clinically studied ingredients backed by real science. Get vitamins. Train Harder. Get extreme.

30-day supply

For more information: 1-888-462-2548 GNC.com Our quality commitment to you Since 1935, our mission as the industry leader has been to provide you with the highest-quality nutritional supplements. We continue to stand behind this mission. If you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase, return the unused portion of the product with your receipt within 30 days and we'll either refund your money or find a replacement that is right for you.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take the contents of one pack daily with food.

Precautions

Warning: Cancer and reproductive harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

Keep out of reach of children

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Reddish-Filled Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

100 mg per serving

Sweet orange is a common citrus fruit that is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and is enjoyed as a food worldwide. Its peel and es...

Sicilian Blood Orange fruit and peel extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Maltodextrin, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against AOX Defense?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
247Drugs
48 Major 199 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in AOX Defense with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Sicilian Blood Orange fruit and peel extract7 drug types · 247 drugs

Celiprolol (Celicard)

Consuming sweet orange with celiprolol can decrease oral absorption of celiprolol.
A pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that celiprolol levels, after a single dose of 100 mg, are decreased by up to 90% in people who drink sweet orange juice 200 mL three times daily. It's not known if lower consumption of sweet orange juice will have the same effect. Theoretically, this occurs due to short-term inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Ivermectin (Stromectol, Others)

Consuming sweet orange juice with ivermectin can decrease the oral absorption of ivermectin.
A pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that taking ivermectin orally with sweet orange juice 750 mL over 4 hours reduces the bioavailability of ivermectin. This effect does not seem to be related to effects on P-glycoprotein. The effect on ivermectin is more pronounced in males compared to females.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Consuming sweet orange juice can decrease oral absorption of OATP substrates. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
Clinical research shows that consuming sweet orange juice inhibits OATP, which reduces bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP. For example, sweet orange juice decreases bioavailability of fexofenadine, a substrate of OATP, by about 72% and of celiprolol, another OATP substrate, by up to 90%. Since sweet orange juice seems to affect OATP for a short time, recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange juice by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Pravastatin (Pravachol)

Consuming sweet orange juice with pravastatin can increase the absorption of pravastatin.
A small pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that consuming sweet orange juice 800 mL over 3 hours, including before, during, and after taking pravastatin 10 mg, increases pravastatin levels by about 149%, without affecting pravastatin elimination. Theoretically this effect might be due to modulation of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) by sweet orange juice. Sweet orange juice does not seem to affect simvastatin levels, but it is not known if sweet orange affects any of the other statins.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Consuming sweet orange juice with fexofenadine can decrease oral absorption of fexofenadine.
Clinical research shows that coadministration of sweet orange juice 1200 mL decreases bioavailability of fexofenadine by about 72%. In an animal model, sweet orange juice decreased bioavailability of fexofenadine by 31%. Fexofenadine manufacturer data indicates that concomitant administration of sweet orange juice and fexofenadine results in larger wheal and flare sizes in research models. This suggests that sweet orange reduces the clinical response to fexofenadine. Theoretically, this occurs due to short-term inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Sweet orange juice seems to modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which might affect the blood levels of P-gp substrates.
Animal and in vitro research suggest that orange juice extract inhibits drug efflux by P-gp, increasing absorption and levels of P-gp substrates. In contrast, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that drinking large amounts of sweet orange juice decreases absorption and levels of the P-gp substrate celiprolol. This suggests that orange juice actually induces drug efflux by P-gp or affects drug levels by another mechanism such as inhibiting the gut drug transporter called organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Until more is known, sweet orange juice should be used cautiously in people taking P-gp substrates.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Quinolone Antibiotics

Calcium-fortified sweet orange juice might reduce quinolone absorption.
Calcium binds to quinolones in the gut. Theoretically, the calcium in certain fortified orange juices can also bind to quinolone antibiotics and reduce their absorption and levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for AOX Defense, from the product label.

GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance

See all GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance products
Name
GNC Holdings, LLC
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15222
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Web Address
GNC.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance: Common Questions

Does AOX Defense by GNC AMP Advanced Muscle Performance interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, AOX Defense has a known interaction with 247 medications, including 48 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
AOX Defense contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or nursing?
The data rates this extract as likely safe for pregnancy and lactation. However, that's based on typical food amounts of orange, not concentrated supplements. Talk with your own doctor or pharmacist before taking it — they know your individual situation best.
What's the difference between eating an orange and taking this extract?
You'd get far less of the active compounds from eating a whole orange. This is a concentrated extract, and concentrated forms of orange haven't been studied as thoroughly as the fruit itself. That's why we suggest using caution with supplements.
Will this help with my cold, anxiety, or asthma?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say. The product is marketed for these uses, but we don't hold reliable evidence supporting them right now.
Can I take this with my other medications?
That depends entirely on what you take. This product interacts with over 200 individual medications across multiple drug types. Run your exact medications through the checker on this page, or ask your pharmacist — don't guess.
What are the side effects?
Serious side effects are uncommon, though there have been rare reports of intestinal cramping in children who ate large amounts of orange peel. Since this is a concentrated supplement, ask your pharmacist about what to watch for with your own health history.

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

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

AOX Defense label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

AOX Defense's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 17 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Sweet Orange 17 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. FDA, CFSAN. FDA-approved potassium health claim notification for potassium containing foods. 2000. Available at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/hclm-k.html.
  3. Kurowska EM, Spence JD, Jordan J, et al. HDL-cholesterol-raising effect of orange juice in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1095-100. PubMed
  4. Murry JJ, Healy MD. Drug-mineral interactions: a new responsibility for the hospital dietician. J Am Diet Assoc 1991;91:66-73.
  5. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Munoz C, et al. Reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability by fruit juices. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;69:P21.
  6. Pletz MW, Petzold P, Allen A, et al. Effect of calcium carbonate on bioavailability of orally administered gemifloxacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003;47:2158-60.. PubMed
  7. Lilja JJ, Juntti-Patinen L, Neuvonen PJ. Orange juice substantially reduces the bioavailability of the beta-adrenergic-blocking agent celiprolol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004;75:184-90.
  8. Tian R, Koyabu N, Takanaga H, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice and orange juice on the intestinal efflux of P-glycoprotein substrates. Pharm Res 2002;19:802-9. PubMed
  9. Vanapalli SR, Chen Y, Ellingrod VL, et al. Orange juice decreases the oral bioavailability of ivermectin in health volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73 (Abstract PDII-A-10):P94.
  10. Huang SM, Lesko LJ. Drug-drug, drug-dietary supplement, and drug-citrus fruit and other food interactions: what have we learned? J Clin Pharmacol 2004;44:559-69. PubMed
  11. Koitabashi Y, Kumai T, Matsumoto N, et al. Orange juice increased the bioavailability of pravastatin, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor, in rats and healthy human subjects. Life Sci 2006;78:2852-9. PubMed
  12. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Yamada S, et al. Polymethoxylated flavones in orange juice are inhibitors of P-glycoprotein but not cytochrome P450 3A4. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000;293:230-6. DOI
  13. Greenblatt DJ. Analysis of drug interactions involving fruit beverages and organic anion-transporting polypeptides. J Clin Pharmacol 2009;49:1403-7. PubMed
  14. Bailey DG. Fruit juice inhibition of uptake transport: a new type of food-drug interaction. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2010;70:645-55. PubMed
  15. Kamath AV, Yao M, Zhang Y, Chong S. Effect of fruit juices on the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine in rats. J Pharm Sci 2005;94:233-9. PubMed
  16. Kays MB, Overholser BR, Mueller BA, et al. Effects of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium acetate on the oral bioavailability of ciprofloxacin. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42(6):1253-9. PubMed
  17. Neuhofel, A. L., Wilton, J. H., Victory, J. M., Hejmanowsk, L. G., and Amsden, G. W. Lack of bioequivalence of ciprofloxacin when administered with calcium-fortified orange juice: a new twist on an old interaction. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002;42(4):461-466. DOI

See these in context on the Sweet Orange monograph →

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

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