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Dietary supplement

Brown Seaweed 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NusaPure

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

Brown Seaweed 500 mg is a dietary supplement by NusaPure with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for source of dietary iodine, thyroid support, cervical dilation (medical procedure).Based on those ingredients, 69 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Brown Seaweed extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure

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: brown seaweed extract at 500 mg per capsule. Brown seaweed (also called kelp) is a marine plant that naturally concentrates potassium and iodine from seawater.

The remaining ingredients are inactive — cellulose, silica, and rice powder — which are fillers and binders that help form the capsule.

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 Laminaria product and its label doesn't state a use — see Laminaria'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 doesn't establish that brown seaweed works for any condition. It's been studied for abortion, labor induction, cancer, high blood pressure, weight loss, and radiation sickness, but the data either doesn't show benefit or isn't strong enough to draw a conclusion.

If you're thinking about this supplement for a specific health reason, talk with your pharmacist about what the research actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Laminaria

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.

Orally, iodine-reduced brown seaweed is generally well tolerated. However, some brown seaweed supplements deliver very high amounts of iodine, which can affect your thyroid — and the amount varies between products and batches.

There's also a rare but serious concern: brown seaweed concentrates arsenic from the ocean, and prolonged use of some supplements has caused arsenic poisoning with symptoms like headache, weakness, fatigue, rash, and diarrhea. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are red flags.

High iodine can harm the developing fetal thyroid, and this supplement is best avoided in pregnancy unless your doctor directs otherwise. During breastfeeding, excess iodine passes into milk and may affect the infant's thyroid, so concentrated supplements are not recommended.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Laminaria

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 — Laminaria.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 69 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, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on thyroid hormone replacement (like levothyroxine), antithyroid drugs, amiodarone, digoxin, ACE inhibitors, or potassium-sparing diuretics. All of these have documented Moderate-severity interactions with brown seaweed's iodine and potassium content.

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.

Brown seaweed may appeal to you if you're looking for a natural source of trace minerals, but it's not proven to work for any medical condition. If you take heart medication, blood pressure drugs, thyroid medication, or water pills, check with your pharmacist first — the potassium and iodine content can interact.

Skip this supplement if you're pregnant or nursing, and be aware that iodine levels and arsenic content vary unpredictably between batches.

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, 2021.

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 Brown Seaweed 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NusaPure
Barcode (UPC) X001PA6QKX
Net contents 200 Veg Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2021
DSLD ID 246234
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure, 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 Veg Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veg Capsule(s)
Servings per container
200
UPC/BARCODE
X001PA6QKX
IngredientAmount% DV
Brown Seaweed extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Silica, Rice powder

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

Directions: For adults, take one (1) capsule daily, preferably with meals.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Keep out of reach of children.

Allergen Information: Contains no artificial coloring, artificial flavors, preservatives, yeast, corn, milk, or milk derivatives, lactose, salt, sodium, soy, sugar, gluten, corn starch or wheat. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Storage

Store in cool, dry place. Avoid excessive heat or moisture.

Formulation

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Assembled in USA Natural Supports healthy weight management Supports a healthy immune system

Max Strength

Allergen Information: Contains no artificial coloring, artificial flavors, preservatives, yeast, corn, milk, or milk derivatives, lactose, salt, sodium, soy, sugar, gluten, corn starch or wheat.

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.

Seals/Symbols

Premium Quality Assembled in USA Gluten Free FDA Registered Facility

Manufactured in a cGMP Inspected Facility

Formula

Standardized to contain 5% fucoxanthin

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure

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

Serving size1 Veg Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container200 Amounts shown are per serving.

Brown Seaweed extract

Interacts with
69 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Fucoxanthin

Laminaria is a type of brown seaweed (kelp) that is very rich in iodine and is also used in medical settings as a natural cervical dilator. Because it...

Brown Seaweed extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Silica, Rice powder. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Brown Seaweed 500 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
69Drugs
69 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Brown Seaweed 500 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.

Brown Seaweed extract6 drug types · 69 drugs

Ace Inhibitors (Aceis)

Theoretically, laminaria might increase the risk of hyperkalemia when taken with ACEIs.
Laminaria contains potassium.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Theoretically, combining laminaria with amiodarone might cause excessively high iodine levels.
Amiodarone contains 37.3% iodine and can increase iodine levels. Concomitant use with laminaria supplements, some of which may contain as much as 1000 mcg iodine, might increase the risk of adverse effects from iodine, including altered thyroid function.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antithyroid Drugs

Due to its iodine content, laminaria might alter the effects of antithyroid drugs.
Some laminaria supplements contain up to 1000 mcg of iodine. Iodine in high doses has been reported to cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, depending on the individual's past medical history. Taking laminaria could theoretically alter the effects of antithyroid drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, laminaria might increase the risk of hyperkalemia, which could increase the effects and adverse effects of digoxin.
Laminaria contains potassium.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

Theoretically, laminaria might increase the risk of hyperkalemia when taken with potassium-sparing diuretics.
Laminaria contains potassium.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Due to its iodine content, laminaria might alter the effects of thyroid hormone.
Some laminaria supplements contain up to 1000 mcg of iodine. Iodine in high doses has been reported to cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, depending on the individual's past medical history. Taking laminaria could theoretically alter the effects of thyroid hormone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Brown Seaweed 500 mg, from the product label.

NusaPure

See all NusaPure products
Name
Gmax Central LLC
Street Address
4700 Millenia Boulevard, Suite 175 PMB 92909
City
Orlando
State
FL
ZipCode
32839
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure: Common Questions

Does Brown Seaweed 500 mg by NusaPure interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Brown Seaweed 500 mg has a known interaction with 69 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Brown Seaweed 500 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or nursing?
No — the safety data advises against it. High iodine can harm your baby's thyroid in the womb, and excess iodine passes into breast milk. Unless your doctor specifically directs you otherwise, brown seaweed supplements should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why would brown seaweed interact with my thyroid medication?
Brown seaweed can contain very high amounts of iodine — up to 1,000 mcg per serving. Extra iodine can interfere with how thyroid medications work or trigger thyroid problems. It's the iodine content, not the seaweed itself, that's the concern.
What's the arsenic risk I've heard about?
Brown seaweed naturally concentrates arsenic from ocean water. While rare, prolonged use of some supplements has caused arsenic poisoning, with symptoms like headache, weakness, rash, and stomach trouble. The amount of arsenic varies between batches and where the seaweed was harvested, so you can't predict your exposure.
Is this supplement proven to help with weight loss or blood pressure?
No — we don't hold evidence that it works for either. The research for weight loss and high blood pressure isn't strong enough to say it helps.
How much potassium does each capsule contain?
The product facts don't specify the potassium amount — only that brown seaweed contains it. This is why it's important to check with your pharmacist if you're on blood pressure or heart medications that are sensitive to potassium.

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

Not sure if Brown Seaweed 500 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.

Brown Seaweed 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Brown Seaweed 500 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

Brown Seaweed 500 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 9 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.

Laminaria 9 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  3. Pye KG, Kelsey SM, House IM, et al. Severe dyserythropoeisis and autoimmune thrombocytopenia associated with ingestion of kelp supplement. Lancet 1992;339:1540.
  4. Kazzi GM, Bottoms SF, Rosen MG. Efficacy and safety of Laminaria digitata for preinduction ripening of the cervix. Obstet Gynecol 1982;60:440-3..
  5. Harrell BL, Rudolph AH. Letter: Kelp diet: A cause of acneform eruption. Arch Dermatol 1976;112:560.
  6. Eliason BC. Transient hyperthyroidism in a patient taking dietary supplements containing kelp. J Am Board Fam Pract 1998;11:478-80. PubMed
  7. Norman JA, Pickford CJ, Sanders TW, Waller M. Human intake of arsenic and iodine from seaweed-based food supplements and health foods available in the UK. Food Addit Contam 1988;5:103-9.. PubMed
  8. Amster E, Tiwary A, Schenker MB. Case report: potential arsenic toxicosis secondary to herbal kelp supplement. Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:606-8. PubMed
  9. Miyai K, Tokushige T, Kondo M; Iodine Research Group. Suppression of thyroid function during ingestion of seaweed "Kombu" (Laminaria japonoca) in normal Japanese adults. Endocr J. 2008 Dec;55(6):1103-8. Epub 2008 Aug 9.

See these in context on the Laminaria 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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