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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 2 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
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 algae extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (20 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment derived from Haematococcus pluvialis algae, provided at 2 mg per softgel. The capsule also holds virgin olive oil, gelatin, glycerin, and purified water as inactive ingredients.

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 evidence we hold for astaxanthin on conditions like age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome is rated insufficient reliable evidence. That means the studies to date don't clearly show whether it works for these uses — not that it doesn't work, but that we don't have strong proof either way yet.

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 abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools.

At higher doses (like 40 mg daily), severe stomach pain has been reported in a small number of people. The safety data advises against astaxanthin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe in those settings.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing.

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 astaxanthin product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medications broken down by the liver enzymes CYP3A4 or CYP2B6. These include many common drugs, and astaxanthin may lower their levels in your blood, potentially reducing how well they work.

The interaction risk is Moderate for both enzyme types.

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 may be worth considering if you're interested in antioxidant support, but the evidence for specific health claims is still limited. The main concern is its potential to interact with medications processed by your liver — if you take daily prescriptions, especially those dosed once or twice a day, check them against the tool on this page first.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid it. Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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 Mar 22, 2023.

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) 021078019565
Net contents 120 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2023
DSLD ID 273569
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)
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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
021078019565
IngredientAmount% DV
Astaxanthin2 mg--
Haematococcus pluvialis algae extract20 mg--

Other ingredients: virgin Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water

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 Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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 up 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 softgel 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.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Brand IP Statement(s)

AstaReal is a registered trademark of Fuji Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.

Copyright SOURCE NATURALS, INC.

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

Haematococcus pluvialis algae extract

20 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Virgin Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water. 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.
Will astaxanthin cause red stools?
Red fecal color has been reported in some people taking astaxanthin, especially at higher doses. It's one of the most common side effects noted in studies and is generally harmless, but it can be alarming if you're not expecting it. If you're concerned, mention it to your pharmacist.
Is astaxanthin safe to take long-term?
Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated in the studies we have, but long-term safety data are limited. If you're thinking about taking it regularly, that's a good question to ask your doctor or pharmacist, who can weigh the benefits and any risks for your situation.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against astaxanthin in pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe in those settings. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing.
What does astaxanthin do?
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant — a pigment that gives certain algae their red color. While it's promoted for age-related conditions like cognitive decline, macular degeneration, and aging skin, the current evidence in our data is insufficient to say whether it actually works for these purposes.
What's in the softgel besides astaxanthin?
The inactive ingredients are virgin olive oil, gelatin, glycerin, and purified water. These are the capsule and carrier materials — they help deliver the astaxanthin but aren't active components.
Does this product have any side effects?
Most people tolerate it well, but the most commonly reported side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools. At higher doses, severe stomach pain has occurred in a small number of people. If you notice abdominal discomfort, talk to your pharmacist.

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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