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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 12 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sports Research

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 Sports Research 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 Icelandic Astalif. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research

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: Icelandic Astalif (astaxanthin), a carotenoid — a type of plant pigment with antioxidant properties. You're getting 12 mg per softgel capsule.

The capsule also contains several inactive ingredients: virgin coconut oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and tocopherols (vitamin E), which serve as the capsule shell and preservative.

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 supporting astaxanthin for the conditions listed — age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome — is insufficient to rate. That means we don't have reliable data yet to say whether it works for any of these uses.

If you're considering this supplement for a specific reason, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what the current science shows for your particular interest.

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 are limited. The most common side effects reported are mild: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools (the red color is from the supplement itself, not bleeding).

Higher doses have occasionally caused more severe stomach pain in a small number of people. There isn't enough safety data to know whether astaxanthin is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the guidance is to avoid it during both.

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.

Check your medications against our database if you take drugs metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP3A4 or CYP2B6. These Moderate interactions are theoretical but worth confirming with your exact prescriptions.

Use the tool on this page to search your medications.

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 might be worth considering if you're interested in antioxidant support, though evidence for specific health claims is still developing. If you take any prescription medications, especially those for heart rhythm, cholesterol, immune function, or mood, check them against the interaction tool before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip this one unless your doctor says otherwise.

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 Feb 23, 2025.

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 Sports Research
Barcode (UPC) 023249012566
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2025
DSLD ID 326237
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 Sports Research, 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
023249012566
IngredientAmount% DV
Icelandic Astalif12 mg--

Other ingredients: virgin Coconut Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Water, Purified, Tocopherols

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: Adults take 1 softgel daily with food, or as recommended by a qualified healthcare professional.

Formulation

Quality Matters: Third party tested cGMP Compliant

IGEN Non-GMO Tested Gluten-Free

Triple Strength When compared to standard Astaxanthin softgels with only 4 mg content. Supports antioxidant activity

Proudly manufactured in the USA with carefully selected ingredients of domestic and international origins.

Seals/Symbols

IGEN Non-GMO Tested Gluten Free

Precautions

Caution: Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Caution: Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to using this product, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a diagnosed medical condition, or are taking a prescription medication.

Do not exceed recommended daily intake. Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

Contains: Tree nuts (coconut).

Storage

Store at room temperature, in a dry place. Protect product from excessive heat, freezing, humidity and light.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General Statements

HDPE Non BPA Please recycle Scan for more

@sportsresearch

Formula

Astaxanthin 12 mg per serving With Coconut Oil

Brand IP Statement(s)

Astalif is a trademark of Algalif.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research

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.

Icelandic Astalif

Interacts with
671 drugs
12 mg per serving Form: Astaxanthin

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

Icelandic Astalif monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research 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.

Icelandic Astalif2 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.

Sports Research

See all Sports Research products
Name
Sports Research
Street Address
784 Channel St.
City
San Pedro
State
CA
ZipCode
90731
Phone Number
310.519.1484
Web Address
sportsresearch.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 12 mg by Sports Research 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.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data to know whether astaxanthin is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's okay for your situation.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools. The red color comes from the supplement itself, not from bleeding. A small number of people taking higher doses have reported more severe stomach pain.
Does this work for anti-aging skin or brain health?
The evidence for astaxanthin in aging skin, cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, or other claimed uses is insufficient to rate — we don't have reliable data yet saying it works for these purposes. You may want to ask your doctor whether it makes sense for your goals.
Is this the same as the astaxanthin in other supplements?
This product uses Icelandic Astalif as its source of astaxanthin. Different brands use different sources, but the active ingredient is the same. If you're comparing products, the dose (12 mg here) matters most.
What does 'red fecal color' mean?
It means your stool turns red — this is a harmless color change caused by the astaxanthin pigment passing through your digestive system. It's not blood; it's just the supplement's natural color showing up.

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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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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