Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 1 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Arctic Cod Liver Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nordic Naturals

Liquid Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Arctic Cod Liver Oil is a dietary supplement by Nordic Naturals with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, skin health and acne, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 387 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin A. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals

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 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • “Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (1,060 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This 4-ingredient product delivers three active components: eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (both omega-3 fatty acids from Arctic cod liver), vitamin A, and total omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3s are the hallmark of fish oil—they're the fats your body uses to support heart, brain, and eye health.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role in vision, immunity, and skin. The product also contains inactive ingredients: purified Arctic cod liver oil (the oil base itself), D-alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E that keeps the oil fresh), and rosemary extract (a natural preservative).

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 Vitamin A's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support heart, brain, nervous system, immune function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Autism spectrum disorder, Cardiovascular health, Immune support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Vitamin A is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Autism spectrum disorder (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vitamin A is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cognitive function.

Vitamin A in this product is effective for preventing and treating vitamin A deficiency. The evidence is possibly effective for oral leukoplakia (a precancerous mouth condition), aging skin, measles, ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a lung condition in premature infants).

We don't hold effectiveness data for the omega-3 fatty acids themselves in this product's facts, so we can't speak to whether this form is proven for any particular condition.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin A

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.

Vitamin A is generally well tolerated at recommended amounts, but the catch is that it builds up in your body over time, so high doses can turn toxic—especially the retinol form. High doses taken during pregnancy can cause birth defects and should be avoided; at normal dietary and recommended supplement levels, vitamin A is appropriate.

At very high doses, vitamin A can cause headache, dizziness, blurred vision, liver damage, and in rare cases pseudotumor cerebri (raised pressure inside the skull). Chronic overuse leads to dry and peeling skin, brittle nails, hair loss, and fatigue.

Young children are at higher risk from large single doses.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin A

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 — Vitamin A.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 388 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.

If you take any retinoid prescription (like isotretinoin for acne or tretinoin for skin), check with your doctor first—this is a Major interaction. Also double-check if you're on warfarin or other blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, or medications that can affect your liver before you start.

We could not check the omega-3 ingredients themselves for interactions.

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 makes sense if you want omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A in liquid form—the vitamin A dosage and omega-3 composition matter, so check the label. If you take retinoid acne or anti-aging prescriptions, blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, or any medication that stresses your liver, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this in.

Because vitamin A accumulates, avoid taking it alongside other vitamin A supplements or high-dose prenatal vitamins without guidance.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2020.

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 Arctic Cod Liver Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand Nordic Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 768990537851
Net contents 8 Fluid Ounce(s); 237 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2020
DSLD ID 223301
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals, 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:
5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
5 mL
Servings per container
48
UPC/BARCODE
768990537851
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories45 Calorie(s)--
Eicosapentaenoic Acid340 mg--
Docosahexaenoic Acid510 mg--
Vitamin A40 mcg RAE13%, 4%
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids1060 mg--
Cholesterol20 mg7%, 7%
Trans Fat0 Gram(s)--
Total Fat5 Gram(s)13%, 6%
Other Omega-3 Fatty Acids210 mg--
Saturated Fat1 Gram(s)10%, 5%

Other ingredients: purified Arctic Cod Liver Oil, D-Alpha-Tocopherol, Rosemary extract

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

Molecularly distilled Guaranteed purity

Our classic Arctic Cod Liver Oil has always been derived from 100% wild Arctic cod - no other fish oils or synthetic additives are ever used.

Unlike fermented oils, our cod liver oils are manufactured to eliminate free fatty acids and prevent rancidity. They support the heart, brain, and nervous system, and promote optimal immune system function. Wild caught. Exceptionally fresh and pure. Friend of the Sea certified. Every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oils is tested by a third-party certified lab for environmental toxins, including heavy metals. All fish oils are in the triglyceride form and surpass the strictest international standards for purity and freshness. Certificates of Analysis available upon request.

Fish oil is processed in Norway.

Healthy heart Brain health Healthy immunity

Non GMO

Superior triglyceride form

No gluten, milk derivatives, or artificial colors or flavors.

Formula

Our classic Arctic Cod Liver Oil has always been derived from 100% wild Arctic cod - no other fish oils or synthetic additives are ever used.

1060 mg Omega-3 Omega-3 from wild Arctic cod for heart and brain health, and optimal wellness

Contains less than 2 percent of the daily value of vitamin D.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: One teaspoon daily, with food, or as directed by your health care professional or pharmacist.

Best if used within 3 months after opening

Precautions

Do not take if tamper-evident seal is broken or missing

Keep out of the reach of children

Warning: Consult with your physician before using this product if you are allergic to iodine, or use blood thinners.

Warning: Consult with your physician before using this product if you are allergic to iodine, or use blood thinners.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening.

General Statements

Nordic Naturals products are never sold under any store brand Gold Standard

Please recycle this container

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.

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Verified Third-Party Purity Tested

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container48 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Vitamin A

Interacts with
387 drugs
40 mcg RAE per serving

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient important for vision, skin, immune function, and growth. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, and supplemen...

Vitamin A monograph & interactions

Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids

1060 mg per serving
  • › Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • › Docosahexaenoic Acid
  • › Other Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Other (inactive) ingredients: Purified Arctic Cod Liver Oil, D-Alpha-Tocopherol, Rosemary extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Arctic Cod Liver Oil?

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
387Drugs
9 Major 378 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Vitamin A 387

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Arctic Cod Liver Oil 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.

Vitamin A4 drug types · 387 drugs

Retinoids

Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, could have additive toxic effects when taken with vitamin A supplements.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects. Doses of vitamin A above the UL can cause hepatotoxicity, ranging from elevated liver enzymes to liver failure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Tetracycline Antibiotics

Theoretically, taking tetracycline antibiotics with high doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of pseudotumor cerebri.
Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) can occur with tetracyclines and with acute or chronic vitamin A toxicity. Case reports suggest that taking tetracyclines and vitamin A concurrently can increase the risk of this condition. Avoid high doses of vitamin A in people taking tetracyclines chronically.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, high doses of vitamin A could increase the risk of bleeding with warfarin.
Vitamin A toxicity is associated with hemorrhage and hypoprothrombinemia, possibly due to vitamin K antagonism. Advise patients taking warfarin to avoid doses of vitamin A above the tolerable upper intake level of 10,000 IU/day for adults.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Arctic Cod Liver Oil, from the product label.

Nordic Naturals

See all Nordic Naturals products
Name
Nordic Naturals, Mfg.
Street Address
111 Jennings Drive
City
Watsonville
State
CA
ZipCode
95076
Phone Number
800-662-2544
Web Address
nordicnaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals: Common Questions

Does Arctic Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Arctic Cod Liver Oil has a known interaction with 387 medications, including 9 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Arctic Cod Liver Oil contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
The data shows vitamin A at recommended supplement levels is likely safe in pregnancy, but high doses—especially as retinol—can cause birth defects. Since this is a liquid and dosing can vary by how much you take, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the right amount for you during pregnancy.
Does this product contain any fillers?
The inactive ingredients are purified Arctic cod liver oil (the base), D-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E as a preservative), and rosemary extract. Those are pretty standard for a liquid fish oil and not fillers in the sense of inert bulk—they're functional.
Is this safe for children?
Children can have vitamin A toxicity from very high single doses at lower body weights than adults. Check with your pediatrician about the right dose for your child's age and weight, especially since this is a liquid and it's easy to misjudge amounts.
What does vitamin A actually do in this supplement?
Vitamin A supports your vision, immune system, and skin health. This product delivers it as part of the whole cod liver oil—historically, people took fish oil partly for the vitamin A content.
Will this thin my blood?
We have no interaction data on the omega-3 fatty acids themselves, so we can't say they thin blood based on what we hold. The vitamin A in here doesn't thin blood on its own, but at high doses it can increase bleeding risk if you're already on warfarin.

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

Not sure if Arctic Cod Liver Oil is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

Arctic Cod Liver Oil label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Arctic Cod Liver Oil’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Arctic Cod Liver Oil'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 31 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.

Vitamin A 31 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Griffiths JK. The vitamin A paradox. J Pediatr 2000;137:604-7.. PubMed
  3. Hardman JG, Limbird LL, Molinoff PB, eds. Goodman and Gillman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
  4. Hansten PD, Horn JR. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Vancouver, WA: Applied Therapeutics Inc., 1997 and updates.
  5. FDA Talk Paper. Vitamin A and birth defects (T95-56). Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD. October 6, 1995.
  6. Russell RM. The vitamin A spectrum: from deficiency to toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:878-84. PubMed
  7. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  8. Feskanich D, Singh V, Willett WC, Colditz GA. Vitamin A intake and hip fractures among postmenopausal women. JAMA 2002;287:47-54. PubMed
  9. Melhus H, Michaelsson K, Kindmark A, et al. Excessive dietary intake of vitamin A is associated with reduced bone mineral density and increased risk for hip fracture. Ann Intern Med 1998;129:770-8. PubMed
  10. Michaelsson K, Lithell H, Vessby B, Melhus H. Serum retinol levels and the risk of fracture. N Engl J Med 2003;348:287-94.. PubMed
  11. Botterweck AA, van den Brandt PA, Goldbohm RA. Vitamins, carotenoids, dietary fiber, and the risk of gastric carcinoma: results from a prospective study after 6.3 years of follow-up. Cancer 2000;88:737-48.. DOI
  12. Meyskens FL Jr, Graham V, Chvapil M, et al. A phase I trial of beta-all-trans-retinoic acid delivered via a collagen sponge and a cervical cap for mild or moderate intraepithelial cervical neoplasia. J Natl Cancer Inst 1983;71:921-5..
  13. Hathcock JN, Hattan DG, Jenkins MY, et al. Evaluation of vitamin A toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;52:183-202.. PubMed
  14. Walters BN, Gubbay SS. Tetracycline and benign intracranial hypertension: report of five cases. Br Med J 1981;282:19-20.. PubMed
  15. Pearson MG, Littlewood SM, Bowden AN. Tetracycline and benign intracranial hypertension (letter). Br Med J 1981;282:568-9.. PubMed
  16. Azais-Braesco V, Pascal G. Vitamin A in pregnancy: requirements and safety limits. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:1325S-33S. PubMed
  17. Smedts HP, de Vries JH, Rakhshandehroo M, et al. High maternal vitamin E intake by diet or supplements is associated with congenital heart defects in the offspring. BJOG 2009;116:416-23. PubMed
  18. Grotto, I., Mimouni, M., Gdalevich, M., and Mimouni, D. Vitamin A supplementation and childhood morbidity from diarrhea and respiratory infections: a meta-analysis. J Pediatr 2003;142(3):297-304. PubMed
  19. Mahalanabis, D., Lahiri, M., Paul, D., Gupta, S., Gupta, A., Wahed, M. A., and Khaled, M. A. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of treatment with zinc or vitamin A in infants and young children with severe acute l
  20. Long, K. Z., Montoya, Y., Hertzmark, E., Santos, J. I., and Rosado, J. L. A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial of the effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on diarrheal disease and respiratory tract infections in children in Mexico City, Mex
  21. Fritz, H., Kennedy, D., Fergusson, D., Fernandes, R., Doucette, S., Cooley, K., Seely, A., Sagar, S., Wong, R., and Seely, D. Vitamin A and retinoid derivatives for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta analysis. PLoS.One. 2011;6(6):e21107. PubMed
  22. Mayo-Wilson, E., Imdad, A., Herzer, K., Yakoob, M. Y., and Bhutta, Z. A. Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d5094. PubMed
  23. Mazumder S, Taneja S, Bhatia K, Yoshida S, Kaur J, Dube B, Toteja GS, Bahl R, Fontaine O, Martines J, Bhandari N; Neovita India Study Group. Efficacy of early neonatal supplementation with vitamin A to reduce mortality in infancy in Haryana, India (Neovit
  24. Baineni R, Gulati R, Delhi CK. Vitamin A toxicity presenting as bone pain. Arch Dis Child. 2017;102(6):556-8. PubMed
  25. Darlow BA, Graham PJ, Rojas-Reyes MX. Vitamin A supplementation to prevent mortality and short- and long-term morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(8):CD000501. PubMed
  26. Haider BA, Sharma R, Bhutta ZA. Neonatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in term neonates in low and middle income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD006980. PubMed
  27. Mohammad YM, Raslan IR, Al-Hussain FA. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Induced by Topical Application of Vitamin A. J Neuroophthalmol. 2016;36(4):412-3. PubMed
  28. Masnadi Shirazi K, Nikniaz Z, Masnadi Shirazi A, Rohani M. Vitamin A supplementation decreases disease activity index in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Dec;41:215-219. PubMed
  29. Ding Y, Hu P, Yang Y, et al. Impact of maternal daily oral low-dose vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair: a randomised placebo-controlled trial in China. Nutrients 2021;13(7):2370. PubMed
  30. Knapik JJ, Hoedebecke SS. Vitamin A and bone fractures: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Spec Oper Med 2021;21(2):100-7. PubMed
  31. Imdad A, Mayo-Wilson E, Haykal MR, et al. Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022;3(3):CD008524. PubMed

See these in context on the Vitamin A 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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