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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 6 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Healthy Directions

Astaxanthin 6 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 6 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 6 mg is a dietary supplement by Healthy Directions 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.

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Check Your Meds Against Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: astaxanthin, a carotenoid (plant pigment) that gives certain seafood and algae their reddish color. The other ingredients—safflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, yellow beeswax, sunflower lecithin, and mixed tocopherols—are inactive and serve as the softgel capsule base and carriers.

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.

Our data show insufficient reliable evidence to rate astaxanthin for any of its commonly claimed uses, including age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, skin aging, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome. This doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the evidence we have isn't strong enough to say one way or the other.

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 at this dose is generally well tolerated, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects from oral use are mild: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red discoloration of stool (a cosmetic effect from the pigment itself).

At the 6 mg dose studied, a small number of participants reported increased bowel movements and red stool color; a much higher dose (40 mg daily) caused severe stomach pain in a couple of patients. Because there isn't enough safety data, it's best to avoid astaxanthin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're in either situation and thinking about this product.

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, have your doctor or pharmacist check whether you take any drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 (a large group including many statins, blood pressure medications, and immunosuppressants) or CYP2B6 substrates. Both interactions are rated Moderate.

The lab findings suggest astaxanthin may lower the levels of these drugs in your body, potentially reducing their effectiveness.

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 6 mg might interest you if you're looking into antioxidant support, but there's not enough evidence yet to say whether it actually works for the conditions it's marketed for. The main caution is its potential to speed up how your liver processes certain medications, which could make those drugs less effective.

Before you start, check your exact medications with the tool on this page, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product fits your health plan.

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 Jul 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 6 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Healthy Directions
Barcode (UPC) 678829292403
Net contents 30 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 23, 2020
DSLD ID 230552
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 6 mg by Healthy Directions, 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
30
UPC/BARCODE
678829292403
IngredientAmount% DV
Astaxanthin6 mg--

Other ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water, yellow Beeswax, Sunflower Lecithin, Mixed 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.
Formulation

Unconditionally guaranteed for purity and labeled potency.

For total body antioxidant support

Storage

To preserve quality and freshness, store bottle with cap tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Precautions

Precautions: Consult a health care practitioner if you are pregnant or nursing, have a serious medical condition, or use any medications.

Keep out of reach of children.

Brand IP Statement(s)

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

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

Clinical grade

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FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Doctor’s Suggested Use: Take 1 softgel once or twice daily with a meal. For additional support, take 2 softgels daily.

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

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions label

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

Astaxanthin 6 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 6 mg by Healthy Directions

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 container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Astaxanthin

Interacts with
671 drugs
6 mg per serving Form: Haematococcus pluvialis Algae extract

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, Glycerin, Purified Water, Yellow Beeswax, Sunflower Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astaxanthin 6 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

Astaxanthin 671

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Astaxanthin 6 mg interact with 671 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Astaxanthin 6 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Astaxanthin

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Astaxanthin 6 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
Astaxanthin full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Astaxanthin 6 mg, from the product label.

Healthy Directions

See all Healthy Directions products
Name
Healthy Directions
City
Bethesda
State
MD
ZipCode
20817
Phone Number
1-866-599-9491
Web Address
www.healthydirections.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 6 mg by Healthy Directions interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astaxanthin 6 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 6 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?
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid — a reddish plant pigment — that acts as an antioxidant in the body. It's being studied for potential benefits in cognitive health, eye health, skin aging, and athletic performance, but the evidence so far isn't strong enough to confirm those effects.
Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, there isn't enough safety data on astaxanthin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it in both situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
What are the side effects?
At this 6 mg dose, astaxanthin is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red discoloration of stool (a cosmetic effect from the pigment). A small number of people in studies reported increased bowel movements. At much higher doses, stomach pain has been reported.
Will astaxanthin actually help my memory or vision?
Our data show insufficient evidence to say whether astaxanthin works for age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, or other age-related conditions. More research is needed before we can confirm those benefits.
Why does my stool turn red when I take this?
Red stool is just the color of the astaxanthin pigment passing through your digestive system — it's not harmful, just a visual sign the ingredient is there. It should resolve once you stop taking the product.
Are there any fillers or other ingredients I should know about?
The softgel itself contains safflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, yellow beeswax, sunflower lecithin, and mixed tocopherols — all typical capsule materials. The only active ingredient is the astaxanthin.

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 6 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Astaxanthin 6 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 6 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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