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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Doctor's Best

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg is a dietary supplement by Doctor's Best 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 AstaReal. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best

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 supplement contains one active ingredient: AstaReal, a form of astaxanthin, at 6 mg per softgel. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid — a natural pigment with antioxidant properties.

The softgel itself is filled with extra virgin olive oil and made from a vegetarian capsule material.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Astaxanthin's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support skin, eye health and aging.
  • We looked for evidence on: Aging skin, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Dry eye, Sunburn, Skin elasticity, Antioxidant protection — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Aging skin, Dry eye, Sunburn.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that astaxanthin works for the conditions listed — age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence. That doesn't mean it's ineffective; it means the data available to us isn't strong enough to say either way.

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 6 mg daily is generally well tolerated in studies, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects in trials were abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stool — mostly mild and infrequent.

At this dose, a small number of trial participants reported increased bowel movements or red stool color; higher doses (40 mg) have caused severe abdominal pain in rare cases. Not enough safety data exist for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the safety information advises against use in both.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about your individual situation if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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.

Check your medications against the tool on this page before you start. Pay special attention to any drugs your doctor said your liver breaks down — astaxanthin may speed up their clearance and reduce their effectiveness.

This includes a very large group of common medications processed by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 enzymes.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Astaxanthin 6 mg is generally well tolerated and may interest you if you're curious about antioxidant support — but evidence for specific health claims is thin right now. If you take any prescription medications, especially those your liver metabolizes, check them against the interaction tool first.

Talk to your pharmacist before starting, particularly if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications for a chronic condition.

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 21, 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 with AstaReal 6 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Doctor's Best
Barcode (UPC) 753950003668
Net contents 30 Veggie Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 21, 2022
DSLD ID 269631
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, 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 with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best, 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 Veggie Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Softgel(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
753950003668
IngredientAmount% DV
AstaReal6 mg--

Other ingredients: extra virgin Olive Oil, Vegetarian Softgel

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

Doctor's Best Astaxanthin with AstaReal supplies natural astaxanthin from solvent-free extracts of microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. Astaxanthin contains antioxidant properties that quench free radicals and tackle age-related oxidative stress. It is a highly bioavailable antioxidant that helps boost skin hydration and elasticity, supports eye health.

Astaxanthin with AstaReal The Natural Astaxanthin of Choice

Formulation

Helps support skin hydration and elasticity Helps quench free radicals and tackle age-related oxidative stress Helps support eye health Veggie softgels, made with a gelatin-free alternative

Helps support healthy aging and skin elasticity

Non-GMO Gluten free Soy free

Vegan

This product contains natural ingredients that may vary in color.

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.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Science-Based Nutrition Doctor's Best

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Adult Use: Take 1 softgel daily after meals, or as recommended by a nutritionally informed physician.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

See for yourself

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best

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

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

AstaReal

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...

AstaReal monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Extra virgin Olive Oil, Vegetarian Softgel. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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

AstaReal 671

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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.

AstaReal2 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 with AstaReal 6 mg, from the product label.

Doctor's Best

See all Doctor's Best products
Name
Doctor's Best, Inc.
State
California
ZipCode
92612
Phone Number
(800) 777-2474
Web Address
www.drbvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best: Common Questions

Does Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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 with AstaReal 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 carotenoid — a natural pigment with antioxidant properties, similar to beta-carotene. In this product it comes from AstaReal, a specific form used in research and supplements.
Will astaxanthin help with my skin or brain health?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say. Astaxanthin is studied for aging skin, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer disease, but all those claims carry an insufficient evidence rating in our data right now.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people don't have problems. At this 6 mg dose, the most common effects in trials were abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and red-colored stools — and they were rare. If your stomach gets upset or your bowel habits change noticeably, stop and talk to us.
Is it safe to take while I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way, so the recommendation is to avoid it during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your situation — they know your health history.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for breastfeeding, so avoid it. If you're considering supplements while nursing, run any questions by your pharmacist or doctor first.

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

Not sure if Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg is safe with your meds?

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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 with AstaReal 6 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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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