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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 12 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutricost

Astaxanthin 12 mg label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Astaxanthin 12 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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 natural Astaxanthin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 16, 2026

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.

Nutricost Astaxanthin 12 mg is a single-ingredient softgel containing 12 mg of natural astaxanthin per capsule. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid — a naturally occurring plant pigment — that your body doesn't produce on its own.

The softgel also contains inactive ingredients for the capsule and base: safflower oil, gelatin, MCT oil, sorbitol sorbitan solution, water, and D-alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E).

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 doesn't support a reliable rating for astaxanthin in any of its studied uses, including age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration of the eye (a form of vision loss), aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, or carpal tunnel syndrome. For each of these, the data is marked insufficient to determine whether it works.

If you're considering this supplement for one of these reasons, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the current evidence is enough to justify a trial.

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, though long-term safety data remain limited. The most common side effects reported are mild: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stool (a harmless result of the pigment itself).

At the 12 mg dose in this product, side effects are expected to be uncommon. At much higher doses — 40 mg daily — some people have reported severe stomach or abdominal pain, so staying within recommended doses is prudent.

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, so it's best to avoid this supplement. The same applies to breastfeeding — the data to confirm safety doesn't exist.

If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

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 Nutricost Astaxanthin, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take medications metabolized by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes in your liver — these are Moderate severity interactions. This includes many common drugs for heart rhythm, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions.

Astaxanthin may theoretically decrease their levels, though human evidence is still lacking.

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.

Nutricost Astaxanthin 12 mg may be worth considering if you're interested in a natural carotenoid supplement, but the evidence doesn't yet prove it works for any of its marketed uses. The main caution is its potential to speed up how your liver processes certain medications — a theoretical risk based on lab work, not yet confirmed in humans.

Before you start, check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take drugs for heart rhythm, blood pressure, cholesterol, or any chronic condition metabolized by your liver.

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 May 22, 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 Astaxanthin 12 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutricost
Barcode (UPC) 702669933605
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2020
DSLD ID 222695
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
60
UPC/BARCODE
702669933605
IngredientAmount% DV
natural Astaxanthin12 mg--

Other ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, MCT Oil, Sorbitol Sorbitan solution, Water, D-Alpha-Tocopherol

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

Recommended Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 softgel, preferably with a fat-containing meal or as directed by your physician.

Precautions

Warning: This product is only intended to be consumed by healthy individuals 18 years of age or older.

Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing.

Do not exceed recommended use. Improper use will not improve results and is not advised.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

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.

Formula

Astaxanthin 12 mg per serving

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Nutricost Quality guaranteed 3rd party tested

Formulation

Non GMO Gluten free product

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Nutricost label

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

Astaxanthin 12 mg label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
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 container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Natural Astaxanthin

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...

Natural Astaxanthin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, MCT Oil, Sorbitol Sorbitan solution, Water, D-Alpha-Tocopherol. 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

natural Astaxanthin 671

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Astaxanthin 12 mg interact with 671 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Astaxanthin 12 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. natural Astaxanthin

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.

natural Astaxanthin2 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
natural Astaxanthin full monograph & interactions
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
84058
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.
Is astaxanthin safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data for either pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the guidance is to avoid it in both cases. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people tolerate astaxanthin well. The most common side effects are mild — abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and red-colored stool (which is harmless and just the pigment passing through). Severe stomach pain is rare and was reported only at much higher doses.
Does astaxanthin actually work for anti-aging or brain health?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say for sure. Astaxanthin has been studied for age-related cognitive decline, eye health, skin aging, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome — but in each case, the data is insufficient to prove it works.
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
Astaxanthin appears to speed up one of your liver's main drug-processing pathways (CYP3A4), which clears a large number of common prescription medications. That's why the interaction count is high — not because astaxanthin is unusual, but because that liver pathway handles hundreds of drugs.
What is astaxanthin, exactly?
It's a carotenoid — a naturally occurring pigment found in certain algae and seafood. Your body can't make it on its own, so it can only come from diet or supplements. It's what gives salmon and shrimp their pink color.

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.

Astaxanthin 12 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Astaxanthin 12 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Astaxanthin

Interacts with 671 drugs

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

Read the full Astaxanthin monograph →
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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