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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin 6 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 6 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 6 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: astaxanthin 6 mg from Icelandic Astalif, a natural red pigment derived from algae. It's packaged in a softgel with virgin coconut oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and tocopherols (a form of vitamin E) as inactive ingredients.

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 we hold for astaxanthin doesn't establish its effectiveness for the uses listed — age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Each has been rated insufficient reliable evidence, meaning the current research hasn't been strong enough to draw firm conclusions.

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 6 mg dose 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 — a harmless color change from the astaxanthin itself.

At this dose, a small number of trial participants experienced increased bowel movements or red stool color. The safety data advises against using astaxanthin during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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, check any medications you take that are metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 — a category that spans hundreds of drugs including many heart, cholesterol, immune, and nervous-system medications. Astaxanthin may theoretically lower their blood levels, though this hasn't been confirmed in patients.

Talk to your pharmacist about your specific prescriptions.

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 may appeal to you if you're interested in a natural antioxidant, but the evidence for specific benefits isn't yet established. The main thing to watch is its potential to lower blood levels of medications your liver breaks down — which includes a lot of common drugs.

Before you start, check your medications with the tool here or ask your pharmacist.

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 25, 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 6 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Sports Research
Barcode (UPC) 023249012702
Net contents 120 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2025
DSLD ID 326236
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 6 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
120
UPC/BARCODE
023249012702
IngredientAmount% DV
Icelandic Astalif6 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

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

Mini-Gels

Supports antioxidant activity

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

HDPE Non BPA

Seals/Symbols

IGEN Non-GMO Tested

Precautions

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.

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

General Statements

Please Recycle Scan For More

Lot number & best by date printed on bottom of bottle.

Formula

Astaxanthin 6 mg per serving With coconut oil

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Astalif is a trademark of Algalif.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin 6 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 6 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 container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Icelandic Astalif

Interacts with
671 drugs
6 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 6 mg by Sports Research 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

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.

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 6 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 6 mg by Sports Research: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin 6 mg by Sports Research 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 exactly is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a red pigment that comes from algae — in this case, Icelandic Astalif. It's a type of antioxidant that may help protect cells from oxidative stress, though we don't yet have strong evidence for specific health benefits at this dose.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, the safety data aren't there. It's best to avoid astaxanthin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If you're in either situation and interested in it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools — the red color is just the astaxanthin and isn't harmful. A small number of people in studies had more bowel movements or noticed the red stool color.
Does astaxanthin work for memory or brain health?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say. Astaxanthin for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease are both rated insufficient reliable evidence, meaning more research is needed before we know if it actually helps.
Why does the product say it may interact with so many medications?
Astaxanthin may speed up how your liver breaks down certain drugs, which could lower their blood levels and make them less effective. That's based on lab studies, not yet confirmed in patients — but because so many common medications depend on those same liver pathways, it's worth checking your specific prescriptions.

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
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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