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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 12 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutricost

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Astaxanthin 12 mg is a dietary supplement by Nutricost with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for antioxidant support, skin health and aging, eye health.Based on those ingredients, 671 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Astaxanthin, Natural. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost

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: astaxanthin 12 mg per softgel, a naturally derived carotenoid — a pigment found in algae and seafood that gives them their red or pink color. The softgel also holds several inactive ingredients — sunflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, caramel color, and purified water — that help deliver the astaxanthin and form the capsule.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Astaxanthin product and its label doesn't state a use — see Astaxanthin's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold on astaxanthin for the conditions listed on the label — including age-related cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome — is insufficient to rate it reliably. That means research to date hasn't been robust enough to confirm whether it works for these purposes.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin

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.

Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated in studies, but long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects reported orally are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools (which is just the pigment passing through); a small number of trial participants on lower doses reported increased bowel movements, and a few on much higher doses (40 mg daily) reported severe stomach pain.

There isn't enough safety data to know whether it's safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it during those times.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Astaxanthin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 672 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 if you take any drugs broken down by the CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 liver enzyme pathways — astaxanthin may theoretically lower their levels, though this hasn't been proven in people yet. Many common medications use these pathways, so a quick review of your current prescriptions is worth the time.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Astaxanthin is one to check with your pharmacist before you start, especially if you take any regular medications — the ingredient may alter how your liver processes drugs metabolized by common enzyme pathways. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a sensitive stomach, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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 Jan 24, 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 Astaxanthin 12 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutricost
Barcode (UPC) 702669937702
Net contents 120 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 306061
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (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 Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost, 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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
702669937702
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories5 Calorie(s)--
Astaxanthin, Natural12 mg--

Other ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Caramel color, Water, Purified

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 softgel daily with 8-12 oz of water or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Formulation

Third party tested

Gluten-free

Non-GMO Product

Packaged and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.

Precautions

Warning: For healthy individuals 18 years and older. Keep out of reach of children.

Consult a healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Notice: Store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

Astaxanthin 12mg per serving 120 servings

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Quality Nutricost Guaranteed Third Party Tested GMP Compliant Facility

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.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost

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

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Astaxanthin, Natural

Interacts with
671 drugs
12 mg per serving Form: Haematococcus pluvialis

Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid pigment with strong antioxidant activity in the lab, and it is widely promoted for skin, eye, heart, and exercise...

Astaxanthin, Natural monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Caramel color, Water, Purified. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astaxanthin 12 mg?

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
671Drugs
671 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Astaxanthin 12 mg 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.

Astaxanthin, Natural2 drug types · 671 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces cytochrome CYP2B6 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces CYP3A4 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Astaxanthin 12 mg, from the product label.

Nutricost

See all Nutricost products
Name
Nutricost
Street Address
351 E 1750 N
City
Vineyard
State
UT
ZipCode
84059
Phone Number
(866) 438-3694
Web Address
www.nutricost.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astaxanthin 12 mg has a known interaction with 671 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Astaxanthin 12 mg 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.
What is astaxanthin, and where does it come from?
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid — a red-pink pigment — that comes from algae and seafood. In this product, it's naturally derived and provided at 12 mg per softgel.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data on astaxanthin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it during those times. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for your situation.
What side effects might I experience?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools — the last is just the pigment passing through. A few people have reported increased bowel movements or, at much higher doses, severe stomach pain.
Does astaxanthin actually work for age-related vision problems or skin health?
The evidence we hold isn't strong enough yet to say reliably whether it works for those purposes. Research to date hasn't been robust enough to confirm its effectiveness.
Are there any fillers or unnecessary ingredients in this softgel?
This product contains sunflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, caramel color, and purified water as inactive ingredients to deliver the astaxanthin and form the capsule — these are standard excipients that help the supplement work.

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

Not sure if Astaxanthin 12 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Astaxanthin 12 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Astaxanthin 12 mg'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 3 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.

Astaxanthin 3 references
  1. Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, et al. Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled
  2. Kistler, A., Liechti, H., Pichard, L., Wolz, E., Oesterhelt, G., Hayes, A., and Maurel, P. Metabolism and CYP-inducer properties of astaxanthin in man and primary human hepatocytes. Arch.Toxicol. 2002;75(11-12):665-675. PubMed
  3. Choi HD, Youn YK, Shin WG. Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2011;66:363-369. PubMed

See these in context on the Astaxanthin 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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