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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 2 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

Tablet Or Pill Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Astaxanthin 2 mg is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals 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 2 mg by Source 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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (100 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Astaxanthin 2 mg contains a single active ingredient: astaxanthin, a natural pigment and antioxidant derived from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. The tablet also includes standard inactive ingredients—microcrystalline cellulose (a binder), stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, and magnesium stearate—which help hold the tablet together and allow it to dissolve properly.

Does it work?

No specific claim
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
General wellness

This Astaxanthin product is marketed for general wellness, not a specific health condition, so there's no single claim to grade — see Astaxanthin's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“antioxidant support”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.

The effectiveness of astaxanthin for the conditions studied—including age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome—is rated as having insufficient reliable evidence. In other words, we don't yet have solid data showing it works for any of these purposes.

If you're considering it for a specific health concern, that's something to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.

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 the doses studied, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects reported are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools (which is simply the pigment passing through).

At higher doses, a small number of people have experienced increased bowel movements and stomach pain. Because there isn't enough safety data, astaxanthin should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if either applies.

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, double-check your medications with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly any drugs broken down by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes in your liver (Moderate severity for both). These include many heart, cholesterol, cancer, anxiety, and allergy medications.

The supplement may lower their levels in your bloodstream, making them less effective.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula marketed for general wellness rather than one specific gradeable purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Astaxanthin 2 mg is generally well tolerated at low doses, but it may interact with a large number of medications by affecting how your liver breaks them down. If you take any prescription drugs—especially heart, blood pressure, or mental health medications—check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting.

The evidence for its effectiveness on common concerns like memory or eye health isn't yet established.

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 26, 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 2 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078015017
Net contents 60 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2020
DSLD ID 214220
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 2 mg by Source 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:
1 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
021078015017
IngredientAmount% DV
Astaxanthin2 mg--
Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae extract100 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, modified Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Stearate

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.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

Dietary Supplement

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

Antioxidant carotenoid

Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is a powerful antioxidant. In vitro research demonstrates that astaxanthin may be up to 4 times stronger than other carotenoids such as lutein, cryptoxanthin, and beta-carotene, and may be ip to 85 times stronger than alpha-tocopherol. Astaxanthin possesses both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, and may provide health benefits throughout the body by modulating the activity of free-radicals.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 tablet twice daily with meals.

Precautions

Note: If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 2 mg by Source Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astaxanthin 2 mg by Source Naturals

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.

Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae extract

100 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Modified Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin 2 mg by Source Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astaxanthin 2 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 2 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 2 mg, from the product label.

Source Naturals

Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin 2 mg by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 2 mg by Source Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astaxanthin 2 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 2 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 does astaxanthin do in the body?
Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant—a pigment from microalgae that helps neutralize harmful molecules in your body. It's been studied for potential benefits to memory, eye health, and skin, though we don't yet have solid evidence it works for any of these.
Why is my stool red when I take this?
Red-colored stools are simply the astaxanthin pigment passing through your digestive system unchanged. It's harmless and shows the supplement is moving through normally.
Is astaxanthin safe to take during pregnancy?
No, there isn't enough safety data to know whether it's safe in pregnancy, so it's best to avoid it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I breastfeed while taking astaxanthin?
There isn't enough safety data to know whether astaxanthin passes into breast milk or how it might affect an infant, so it's best to avoid it while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The side effects reported in studies are mild—abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red stool. At higher doses, some people have had stomach pain or increased bowel movements.

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 2 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Astaxanthin 2 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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