Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin-SR Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Quality of Life

Astaxanthin-SR label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Astaxanthin-SR 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-SR is a dietary supplement by Quality of Life 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 MicroActive Astaxanthin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
Prefer a human? Send your question to our licensed pharmacists — free, answered by email within 24 hours.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life

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 11, 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.

Astaxanthin-SR contains one active ingredient: MicroActive Astaxanthin, a carotenoid (a plant pigment) in a form designed for extended release. The softgel capsule also holds several inactive ingredients — olive oil, modified cornstarch, glycerin, carrageenan, sorbitol, and purified water — that help deliver and stabilize the astaxanthin.

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 for healthy aging”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.

The evidence for Astaxanthin-SR isn't established in the data we hold. The product is tested against age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration (AMD), aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome, but our monograph rates all of these uses as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the quality or amount of research available is too limited to draw a firm conclusion right now.

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 are mild: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools (a harmless pigment effect).

At higher doses, some people have reported more severe stomach pain. There isn't enough safety data to recommend use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, 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 Astaxanthin-SR, check with your pharmacist if you take any drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 enzymes (a large category including many heart, immune, and allergy medications) or CYP2B6 substrates. Astaxanthin may theoretically slow your liver's breakdown of these drugs, though this effect hasn't been reported in people.

Use the medication checker below with your exact drug names.

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-SR is a single-ingredient supplement that's generally well tolerated at typical doses. If you take medications metabolized by your liver — particularly those processed by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 — you'll want to check your specific drugs with the interaction tool on this page before starting.

Discuss any use during pregnancy or breastfeeding with your pharmacist or doctor.

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 11, 2022.

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-SR, straight from the product label.

Brand Quality of Life
Barcode (UPC) 812259003578
Net contents 30 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 11, 2022
DSLD ID 261646
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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-SR by Quality of Life, 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 Vegetarian Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Softgel(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
812259003578
IngredientAmount% DV
MicroActive Astaxanthin3 mg--

Other ingredients: Olive Oil, Modified Cornstarch, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Sorbitol, Water, Purified

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

Astaxanthin is a powerful acting antioxidant with multiple benefits for healthy aging. But due to its low bioavailability, accessing those benefits is difficult. Compounding the problem, some people are worse absorbers than others, making it hard for them to derive full benefit from conventional astaxanthin supplements. Our unique product unlocks the potential of this powerful nutrient with MicroActive Astaxanthin, the form of this ingredient that is well-absorbed and released in the body over a period of 24 hours.

Formulation

In fact, compared with regular astaxanthin, our product has been clinically shown to provide: 4 times greater bioavailability and higher continued absorption over time Sustained release, resulting in blood levels of astaxanthin that are 3x higher over 24 hours

Healthy Aging

24-Hour Sustained Release 4x greater bioavailability than regular astaxanthin with superior absorption Delivers sustained release over 24 hours

Non-GMO

This product is suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free.

This product is suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free.

GMP

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 softgel daily with a meal.

Brand IP Statement(s)

MicroActive is a registered trademark of BioActives LLC.

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

Consult your healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or lactating, have or had a medical condition, or are taking prescription drugs.

Storage

Store at room temperature.

General Statements

30 Softgels (3 mg)

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

See for yourself

Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life label

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

Astaxanthin-SR 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-SR by Quality of Life

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

MicroActive Astaxanthin

Interacts with
671 drugs
3 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...

MicroActive Astaxanthin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Olive Oil, Modified Cornstarch, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Sorbitol, Water, Purified. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astaxanthin-SR?

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

MicroActive Astaxanthin 671

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 1 ingredient in Astaxanthin-SR interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. MicroActive Astaxanthin

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Astaxanthin-SR 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.

MicroActive 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
MicroActive Astaxanthin full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Astaxanthin-SR, from the product label.

Quality of Life

Name
QOL Labs, LLC
City
Purchase
State
NY
ZipCode
10577
Phone Number
(914) 251-0981
Web Address
www.QOL.us
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin-SR by Quality of Life interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astaxanthin-SR 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-SR 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 MicroActive Astaxanthin?
It's a carotenoid — a natural plant pigment — that's been processed into a form meant to stay active longer in your body (that's what 'SR,' or sustained release, means). Astaxanthin gives many sea creatures and plants their reddish color.
Will this supplement help with my age-related memory loss or macular degeneration?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works for those conditions. That's not a 'no' — it means the research so far is too limited to draw a solid conclusion. Talk with your doctor about whether to try it.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are mild: belly pain, loose stools, or red-colored stools (the pigment passing through). At higher doses, some people have had more severe stomach pain. Stop and call your pharmacist if you have severe symptoms.
Is it safe to take while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. The facts advise against use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're in either situation.
Why does my stool turn red when I take this?
That's the astaxanthin pigment passing through your digestive tract. It's harmless and will stop once you stop taking the supplement. There's no need to worry, but it's good to know what to expect.
How long do I need to take this before it works?
We don't have data on how long it takes for astaxanthin to show any effect, because we don't yet have reliable evidence that it works for the conditions it's marketed for. Your pharmacist or doctor can discuss realistic timelines if you decide to try it.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Astaxanthin-SR is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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-SR label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Astaxanthin-SR’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-SR'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

Keep exploring
Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactions › Check two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookup › Find a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team