Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by NOW
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium 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
Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium is a dietary supplement by NOW with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for weight management, lowering cholesterol, wound care.Based on those ingredients, 181 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Chromium, Liposan Ultra. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains 2 active ingredients. Liposan Ultra is a form of chitosan, a fiber derived from shellfish that your body doesn't digest — it passes through your system and can bind to fats and certain drugs.
Chromium is a mineral that plays a role in how your body handles blood sugar and insulin. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients (hypromellose, stearic acid, and silicon dioxide) that help hold it together and aid absorption.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Chitosan is possibly effective for weight management and postoperative recovery, and possibly effective for high blood pressure. For Crohn disease and dry eye, the evidence isn't established enough to rate it.
Chromium is likely effective for chromium deficiency — important if your diet is very low in it — and possibly effective for diabetes. For prediabetes, high blood pressure, and schizophrenia, the evidence suggests it probably won't help.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Chitosan is generally well tolerated in the short term, though quality evidence is limited. The most common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and stomach discomfort.
One rare report noted itching in a person with kidney failure, but it's unclear if chitosan caused it. Avoid chitosan during pregnancy and while breastfeeding — there isn't enough safety data.
If you're allergic to shellfish, be careful, as chitosan comes from shellfish. Chromium is usually well tolerated at typical supplement doses.
Common side effects include stomach irritation, headaches, insomnia, irritability, and mood changes. Rare serious effects (kidney and liver damage, muscle breakdown, low platelet counts) have been reported with high or prolonged doses.
During pregnancy, small amounts from food or prenatal vitamins are fine, but extra supplement doses should be avoided unless your doctor recommends it. Same caution applies while breastfeeding.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on warfarin or other blood thinners (moderate risk of bleeding), insulin or diabetes drugs (moderate risk of low blood sugar), or levothyroxine for thyroid hormone (moderate risk of lower drug levels). NSAIDs and aspirin may also interact with the chromium component.
Acyclovir absorption may be reduced by the chitosan.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This product is worth considering if you're managing weight or blood sugar and your doctor hasn't flagged concerns. If you take warfarin, insulin, antidiabetes drugs, levothyroxine, or antivirals like acyclovir, you need to talk with your pharmacist or doctor first — the interactions are real and can affect how well your medications work.
Check your exact medications on this page before you start.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 20, 2024.
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
General information
Key facts about Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium, straight from the product label.
| Brand | NOW |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 733739020253 |
| Net contents | 120 Veg Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jun 20, 2024 |
| DSLD ID | 313805 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Halal, Gluten Free, Dairy Free |
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 Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Liposan Ultra | 1.5 Gram(s) | -- |
| Chromium | 300 mcg | 857% |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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 Usage:Take 3 capsules immediately before the 2 main meals of the day. Do not exceed 6 capsules per day. Take in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise program. Take at least 4 hours before or after fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) or medications.
Precautions
Take at least 4 hours before or after fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) or medications.
Caution: For adults only.
Avoid using if allergic to shellfish.
Not to be used by pregnant or nursing women. Consult physician if taking medication or have a medical condition.
Keep out of reach of children.
Contains shellfish (shrimp).
Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Formulation
Chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from the shells of crustaceans that can bind to fat and cholesterol in the digestive tract, helping to maintain cholesterol levels already within healthy range.
A clinical study has demonstrated that LipoSan ULTRA may aid in supporting a healthy body weight.
Natural color variation may occur in this product. Weight management Super fat absorption action Supports cholesterol levels already within the healthy range
Non-GMO
Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish or tree nut ingredients.
Formula
NOW Chitosan features LipoSan ULTRA, a patented high-density form of Chitosan that, in laboratory testing, binds up to five times more fat than conventional Chitosan.
Chromium, a mineral essential for normal glucose metabolism, has been included to complete this formula.
Crescent H (Halal)
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.
FDA Statement of Identity
A Dietary Supplement
General Statements
General health Family owned since 1968.
Brand IP Statement(s)
Albion is a trademark of Balchem Corporation or its subsidiaries.
LipoSan ULTRA is a registered trademark of Primex ehf.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
Seals/Symbols
Crescent H (Halal) GMP Quality Assured
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size3 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container40 Amounts shown are per serving.
Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.
Liposan Ultra
Interacts with3 drugs
Chitosan is a fiber-like substance made from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish, often marketed for weight loss and cholesterol. The evi...
Liposan Ultra monograph & interactionsChromium
Interacts with178 drugs
Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control i...
Chromium monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
NOW's Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium contains two active ingredients, each with documented interactions with medications.
Chitosan's most serious concern is with warfarin (a blood thinner), where a case report showed significantly increased bleeding risk — the effect reversed when chitosan was stopped and vitamin K was given. Chromium carries similar severity warnings: it may lower blood sugar additively with insulin and antidiabetes drugs, raising the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Chitosan also reduces absorption of acyclovir (an antiviral), which could make it less effective. Chromium may decrease how well your body absorbs levothyroxine (thyroid hormone), lowering its levels by around 17% in clinical research — taking them several hours apart can help.
Both NSAIDs and aspirin may increase how much chromium your body absorbs, potentially raising chromium levels.
Although we've identified these interactions, the product may affect others we haven't listed. Altogether, these interactions span 180 individual medications.
Use the medication checker on this page to search your exact drugs before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium interact with 181 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 2 ingredients in Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Chromium Liposan Ultra
AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Acarbose interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Acetohexamide interactionAcyclovirAvaclyr, Sitavig, Zovirax, Zovirax Injection
How Acyclovir interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Liposan UltraAcyclovir (zovirax) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Chitosan can reduce the absorption of acyclovir, potentially increasing the risk for treatment failure.
Read the full Liposan Ultra + Acyclovir interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionCanagliflozinInvokana
How Canagliflozin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Canagliflozin interactionCanagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet
How Canagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionCanagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR
How Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionChlorpropamideChlorpropam, Diabinese
How Chlorpropamide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Chlorpropamide interactionDapagliflozinFarxiga
How Dapagliflozin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dapagliflozin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQtern
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR
How Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDasiglucagon HydrochlorideZegalogue
How Dasiglucagon Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dasiglucagon Hydrochloride interactionDulaglutideTrulicity
How Dulaglutide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Dulaglutide interactionEmpagliflozinJardiance
How Empagliflozin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Empagliflozin interactionEmpagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideTrijardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionEmpagliflozin, MetforminSynjardy
How Empagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Empagliflozin, Metformin interactionEmpagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSynjardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionErtugliflozinSteglatro
How Ertugliflozin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Ertugliflozin interactionErtugliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSegluromet
How Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionExenatideBydureon, Byetta
How Exenatide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Exenatide interactionExenatide SyntheticBydureon BCISE
How Exenatide Synthetic interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Exenatide Synthetic interactionGliclazideDiamicron
How Gliclazide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Gliclazide interactionGlimepirideAmaryl
How Glimepiride interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Glimepiride interactionGlipizideGlucotrol, Glucotrol XL
How Glipizide interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Glipizide interactionGlipizide, MetforminMetaglip
How Glipizide, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChromiumAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Chromium + Glipizide, Metformin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Chromium
Antidiabetes Drugs
Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some research shows that taking chromium might lower blood glucose levels, especially in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
Insulin
Theoretically, concomitant use of chromium and insulin might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In clinical research, chromium has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity,
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Others)
Chromium might bind levothyroxine in the intestinal tract and decrease levothyroxine absorption.
Clinical research in healthy volunteers shows that taking chromium picolinate 1000 mcg with levothyroxine 1 mg decreases serum levels of levothyroxine by 17% when compared to taking levothyroxine alone. Advise patients to take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.
Aspirin
Theoretically, aspirin might increase chromium absorption.
Animal research suggests that aspirin may increase chromium absorption and chromium levels in the blood.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Nsaids)
NSAIDs might increase chromium levels in the body.
Drugs that are prostaglandin inhibitors, such as NSAIDs, seem to increase chromium absorption and retention.
Liposan Ultra
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Chitosan can reduce the absorption of acyclovir, potentially increasing the risk for treatment failure.
Clinical research in humans shows that taking chitosan along with acyclovir 200 mg reduces acyclovir absorption. Concomitant administration of chitosan 400 mg or 1000 mg reduced the acyclovir area under the curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration by about 30% and 40%, respectively, compared with control. Concomitant administration with chitosan 1000 mg also increased time to peak concentration from 1 hour to 2 hours. In vitro research suggests that the mechanism for reduced absorption is due to acyclovir entrapment in chitosan-mucus complexes, which reduces intestinal absorption.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Theoretically, chitosan might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
In a case report, a patient taking warfarin had a significantly increased international normalized ratio (INR) after starting chitosan 1200 mg daily. The INR normalized after chitosan was discontinued and vitamin K was administered. The patient once again started taking chitosan and again had a significant increase in INR. The INR stabilized again once chitosan was discontinued. Researchers theorize that this interaction might occur because chitosan decreases absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K, which could increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium, from the product label.
NOW
See all NOW products- Name
- NOW Foods
- Street Address
- 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
- City
- Bloomingdale
- State
- IL
- ZipCode
- 60108
- Web Address
- nowfoods.com
Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW: Common Questions
Does Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium by NOW interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this if I'm allergic to shellfish?
What are the most common side effects I might feel?
Is this safe to take while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does this product actually help you lose weight?
Can I take this if I have diabetes and use insulin?
What's the difference between the two ingredients in this product?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Chitosan
Interacts with 3 drugsChitosan is a fiber-like substance made from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish, often marketed for weight loss and cholesterol. The evidence for these benefits is weak, and an...
Read the full Chitosan monograph → Herb & supplement monographChromium
Interacts with 178 drugsChromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control in certain people with type 2 diabetes, b...
Read the full Chromium monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Chitosan 500 mg Plus Chromium'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 70 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.
Chitosan 17 references
- Jing SB, Li L, Ji D, et al. Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with chronic renal failure. J Pharm Pharmacol 1997;49:721-3. PubMed
- Pittler MH, Abbot NC, Harkness EF, Ernst E. Randomized, double-blind trial of chitosan for body weight reduction. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999;53:379-81. PubMed
- Ho SC, Tai ES, Eng PH, et al. In the absence of dietary surveillance, chitosan does not reduce plasma lipids or obesity in hypercholesterolaemic obese Asian subjects. Singapore Med J 2001;42:6-10.
- Bokura H, Kobayashi S. Chitosan decreases total cholesterol in women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:721-5. PubMed
- Mhurchu CN, Poppitt SD, McGill AT, et al. The effect of the dietary supplement, Chitosan, on body weight: a randomised controlled trial in 250 overweight and obese adults. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2004;28:1149-56. PubMed
- Huang SS, Sung SH, Chiang CE. Chitosan potentiation of warfarin effect. Ann Pharmacother 2007;41:1912-4. PubMed
- Tsai, G. J. and Su, W. H. Antibacterial activity of shrimp chitosan against Escherichia coli. J Food Prot. 1999;62(3):239-243. PubMed
- Wuolijoki, E., Hirvela, T., and Ylitalo, P. Decrease in serum LDL cholesterol with microcrystalline chitosan. Methods Find.Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1999;21(5):357-361. PubMed
- Nelson, J. L., Alexander, J. W., Gianotti, L., Chalk, C. L., and Pyles, T. Influence of dietary fiber on microbial growth in vitro and bacterial translocation after burn injury in mice. Nutrition 1994;10(1):32-36.
- Schiller RN, Barrager E, Schauss EA, and et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examining the effects of a rapidly soluble chitosan dietary supplement on weight loss and body composition in overweight and mildly obese individuals. J
- Koide, S. S. Chitin-chitosan: properties, benefits and risks. Nutrition Research 1998;8(6):1091-1101. DOI
- Maezaki Y, Tsuji K, Nakawa, and et al. Hypocholesterolaemic effect of chitosan in adult males. Biosc Biochem Biotech 1993;57:1439-1444.
- Kubbinga M, Nguyen MA, Staubach P, et al. The influence of chitosan on the oral bioavailability of acyclovir-a comparative bioavailability study in humans. Pharm Res 2015;32(7):2241-9. PubMed
- Jull AB, Ni Mhurchu C, Bennett DA, et al. Chitosan for overweight or obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;(3):CD003892. PubMed
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