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Dietary supplement

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Doctor's Best

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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 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.

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Check Your Meds Against Astaxanthin with AstaReal 6 mg by Doctor's Best

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

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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

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: AstaReal astaxanthin at 6 mg per softgel. Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring red pigment found in algae and seafood, classified as a carotenoid antioxidant.

The softgel capsule itself is vegetarian, and the oil base is extra virgin olive oil.

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 health, eye health, and healthy aging.
  • We looked for evidence on: Aging skin, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Dry eye, Exercise-induced muscle damage, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Sunburn — and 3 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, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Sunburn, and more.

The evidence we hold does not establish that astaxanthin is effective for any of the conditions listed — including age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, or carpal tunnel syndrome. The rating across these uses is insufficient reliable evidence to rate, meaning the data available doesn't yet support a clear claim about whether it works.

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, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects reported are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red fecal color — the latter is a cosmetic effect from the pigment itself, not a sign of harm.

In studies at this dose, a small number of participants experienced increased bowel movements or red stool color. Higher doses (40 mg daily) have caused severe stomach pain in isolated cases.

The safety data are not sufficient for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it during those times. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before taking 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.

Check any medications metabolized by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes in your liver — astaxanthin may theoretically decrease their levels and reduce effectiveness. These are Moderate-severity theoretical interactions confirmed in the lab but not yet in patients.

Altogether, these interactions span 661 individual medications. Use the search tool below to look up your specific drugs.

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 may appeal to you if you're interested in antioxidant support, but the evidence for specific health claims isn't established yet in the data we hold. If you take medications metabolized by your liver — a very common situation — check your exact drugs with the tool on this page before starting.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding warrant a conversation with your pharmacist first.

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) 753950003675
Net contents 90 Veggie Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 21, 2022
DSLD ID 269659
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
90
UPC/BARCODE
753950003675
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 Chemical 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.

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

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.

Astaxanthin with AstaReal 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 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 container90 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

Individual Drug Interactions

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

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

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
AstaReal full monograph & interactions
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
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, and why is it in this product?
Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid pigment — a type of antioxidant — that comes naturally from algae and seafood. It's included here as the active ingredient, though the evidence we hold doesn't yet clearly show it works for the conditions it's often marketed for.
Will this turn my poop red?
It can. Red fecal color was reported by a small number of people taking this dose in studies, and it's simply the pigment passing through — not a sign of anything wrong. It's harmless.
Is astaxanthin safe long-term?
In short-term studies at this 6 mg dose, it's generally well tolerated. But we don't have much long-term safety data, so if you plan to take it for months or years, it's worth discussing with your pharmacist.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data aren't sufficient to know either way. It's best to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in those situations.
What's the difference between this and other astaxanthin products?
The product facts here cover only this Doctor's Best formulation at 6 mg with AstaReal as the source. Other brands and doses may have different interaction or safety profiles, so always check the label of what you're buying.

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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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.

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 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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