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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 12 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by tnvitamins

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

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins

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 capsule. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid — a type of plant pigment — that's being studied for potential effects on aging-related eye and brain health, as well as athletic performance and skin aging.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients: safflower oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, D-alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E), and medium chain triglycerides — all standard binders and carriers in softgel supplements.

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 for astaxanthin's effectiveness is not yet established. The data we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for age-related cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

That doesn't mean it won't work — it means the studies so far haven't been strong enough to prove a benefit. If you're considering it for one of these reasons, that's a good topic to discuss with your doctor.

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 appears to be well tolerated in studies, but long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects reported are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools.

At the 12 mg dose in this product, these are likely uncommon; higher doses (40 mg daily) have caused severe stomach pain in a small number of people. There isn't enough safety data during pregnancy, so it's best to avoid this supplement if you're pregnant.

Similarly, there isn't enough data to know if it's safe while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it in either situation.

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 starting this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes — these include many common heart, blood pressure, and immunosuppressant medications. Altogether, these interactions span 672 individual medications.

The concern is Moderate severity: astaxanthin may lower the levels of these drugs in your blood, potentially making them less effective.

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 12 mg by tnvitamins is a single-ingredient supplement that's generally well tolerated but lacks proven effectiveness for the conditions it's marketed for. The main caution is that it may speed up how your liver processes certain medications, which could make them less effective — though this hasn't been confirmed in actual patients.

Before you take it, check with your own doctor or pharmacist, especially if you're on heart, blood pressure, or immunosuppressant medications.

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 Apr 23, 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 tnvitamins
Barcode (UPC) 095234270305
Net contents 50 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 23, 2020
DSLD ID 217695
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 tnvitamins, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
095234270305
IngredientAmount% DV
Astaxanthin12 mg--

Other ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, D-Alpha-Tocopherol, Medium Chain Triglycerides

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.
Formula

Antioxidant nutrient

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement for adults, take one (1) softgel daily, preferably with a meal, or as directed by a health care professional.

Precautions

Caution: Pregnant or lactating women should consult a doctor before use.

If you are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult a doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Reorder tnvitamins.com 800-645-4446

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins

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 Amounts shown are per serving.

Astaxanthin

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

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 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, D-Alpha-Tocopherol, Medium Chain Triglycerides. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins 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.

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
The maker

Brand information

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

tnvitamins

See all tnvitamins products
Name
Total Nutrition, Inc.
City
Farmingdale
State
NY
ZipCode
11735
Phone Number
800-645-4446
Web Address
tnvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 12 mg by tnvitamins 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?
There isn't enough safety data for astaxanthin in either pregnancy or breastfeeding. The safety data advises against it in both situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects?
Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects reported are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools. These are typically mild and uncommon at the 12 mg dose in this product.
Does astaxanthin really help with age-related eye problems or aging skin?
The evidence isn't established yet. We don't have reliable data showing that astaxanthin works for age-related macular degeneration, aging skin, or other age-related conditions. That doesn't rule it out, but it means more research is needed.
Why do my stools turn red when I take this?
Red-colored stools can occur with astaxanthin because of its pigment color. It's harmless, though definitely surprising if you're not expecting it. It's one of the most common side effects reported in studies.
Is there anything else in this capsule besides astaxanthin?
Yes — the softgel contains safflower oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, vitamin E, and medium chain triglycerides. These are all inactive ingredients used to make and deliver the astaxanthin.

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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