Chitosan 750 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by KAL
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Chitosan 750 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
Chitosan 750 mg is a dietary supplement by KAL with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol.Based on those ingredients, 2,025 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Dietary Fiber, Chitosan. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Chitosan 750 mg by KAL
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Chitosan 750 mg by KAL — 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 750 mg by KAL
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
KAL's Chitosan 750 mg is a single-ingredient supplement: 750 mg of chitosan per capsule. Chitosan is a fiber derived from shellfish shells; it's thought to work by binding to fats and cholesterol in your digestive tract.
The capsule itself and other inactive ingredients—vegetable cellulose, cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica—are fillers and binders with no active role.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
The evidence on chitosan is mixed. Research suggests it's possibly effective for obesity and for postoperative recovery (healing after surgery), and possibly effective for high blood pressure.
However, the evidence for Crohn disease and dry eye isn't strong enough to rate. Overall, the quality of studies is limited, so don't expect dramatic results.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Chitosan is generally well tolerated in the short term, though long-term safety data is sparse. The most common side effects are digestive—constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, nausea, and stomach discomfort.
Some people report a dry throat, and rarely, fatty stools. One person with kidney disease reported itching during treatment, though it's unclear if chitosan was the cause.
Because chitosan comes from shellfish shells, avoid it if you have a shellfish allergy. There isn't enough safety data to recommend chitosan during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Check with your pharmacist before using this product if you take warfarin (Coumadin)—it may increase bleeding risk. Also flag acyclovir (Zovirax) and any other prescription medications you're on, as chitosan can reduce how your body absorbs certain drugs.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Chitosan may help with weight management or recovery after surgery, but the evidence is preliminary. If you take warfarin or acyclovir, you'll need to check this with your pharmacist or doctor first—the interactions are real.
Digestive side effects are common, and shellfish-allergic folks should skip it. A good conversation with your pharmacist before starting is your best bet.
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 Sep 24, 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
General information
Key facts about Chitosan 750 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | KAL |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 021245804123 |
| Net contents | 120 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Sep 24, 2021 |
| DSLD ID | 254640 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating) |
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 750 mg by KAL, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrates | 1 Gram(s) | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 Gram(s) | 3% |
| Chitosan | 750 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica
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.
General Statements
KAL Innovative quality since 1932
Clear quality
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
1 daily
Directions: Use only as directed. Take 1 vegetarian capsule daily, 30 minutes prior to a meal. Take with 8 ounces of liquid.
Fat soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids and medications should be taken four hours before or after ingesting this product.
Formulation
Fiber extract
Discussion: KAL Chitosan is fiber derived from the nondigestible, aminopolysaccaride chitin in shellfish. Deacetylation is the process of removing acetyl groups from chitin. This enhances the activity of chitosan, making it more soluble in the stomach. Studies indicate that a diet rich in fiber may help reduce the transit time of foods in the digestive system, so less dietary fat and cholesterol are available to the system.
Precautions
Warning: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.
Keep out of reach of children.
Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product.
Not for use by pregnant or lactating women.
California residents only Warning: Reproductive harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Chitosan 750 mg by KAL 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 750 mg by KAL
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container120 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.
Dietary Fiber
Interacts with2,025 drugs
Black psyllium is a soluble-fiber supplement made from the seeds of a Plantago plant, used mostly to ease constipation and support digestive health. I...
Dietary Fiber monograph & interactionsChitosan
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...
Chitosan monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Chitosan 750 mg by KAL Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
KAL's Chitosan 750 mg contains one active ingredient—chitosan—which interacts with a few medications we need to flag.
The most serious concern involves warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner. In a case report, a patient's blood-thinning level (measured by INR) jumped significantly after starting chitosan 1200 mg daily, which could raise the risk of bleeding; the patient's level came back down once chitosan was stopped and vitamin K was given.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Chitosan also interacts with acyclovir (Zovirax), an antiviral medication used for herpes infections. Research shows that taking chitosan with acyclovir reduces how much of the antiviral your body absorbs, which may lower its effectiveness against infection.
Altogether, these interactions span 3 individual medications. If you take warfarin, acyclovir, or any other prescription medication, run it through the checker below before you start this supplement.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Chitosan 750 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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Chitosan 750 mg interact with 2,025 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 2 ingredients in Chitosan 750 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Dietary Fiber Chitosan
AcyclovirAvaclyr, Sitavig, Zovirax, Zovirax Injection
How Acyclovir interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChitosanAcyclovir (zovirax) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Chitosan can reduce the absorption of acyclovir, potentially increasing the risk for treatment failure.
Read the full Chitosan + Acyclovir interactionDietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Acyclovir interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionCanagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet
How Canagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionCanagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR
How Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionCarbamazepineCarbatrol, Carnexiv, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR
How Carbamazepine interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Carbamazepine (tegretol) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Carbamazepine interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interactionDapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR
How Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionEmpagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideTrijardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionEmpagliflozin, MetforminSynjardy
How Empagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Empagliflozin, Metformin interactionEmpagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSynjardy XR
How Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionErtugliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSegluromet
How Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionGlipizide, MetforminMetaglip
How Glipizide, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Glipizide, Metformin interactionGlyburide, MetforminGlucovance
How Glyburide, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Glyburide, Metformin interactionLinagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideJentadueto XR
How Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionLithium Carbonate (prescription Drug)Eskalith, Lithium Carbonate
How Lithium Carbonate (prescription Drug) interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Lithium Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Lithium Carbonate (prescription Drug) interactionMetforminGlucophage, Metformin
How Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Metformin interactionMetformin HydrochlorideRiomet ER
How Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Metformin Hydrochloride interactionMetformin, LinagliptinJentadueto
How Metformin, Linagliptin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Metformin, Linagliptin interactionMetformin, RosiglitazoneAvandamet
How Metformin, Rosiglitazone interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Metformin, Rosiglitazone interactionMetformin, SitagliptinJanumet, Janumet XR
How Metformin, Sitagliptin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Metformin, Sitagliptin interactionOlanzapineZyprexa
How Olanzapine interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Olanzapine (zyprexa) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Olanzapine interactionSaxagliptin, Metformin XrKombiglyze
How Saxagliptin, Metformin Xr interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Saxagliptin, Metformin Xr interactionSitagliptin, MetforminZituvimet
How Sitagliptin, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs, Metformin (glucophage) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Sitagliptin, Metformin interactionWarfarinWarfarin
How Warfarin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChitosanWarfarin (coumadin) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chitosan might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Read the full Chitosan + Warfarin interactionDietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Warfarin interactionWarfarin SodiumCoumadin, Panwarfin, Sofarin
How Warfarin Sodium interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ChitosanWarfarin (coumadin) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, chitosan might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Read the full Chitosan + Warfarin Sodium interactionDietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Warfarin Sodium interactionPioglitazone, MetforminActoPlus Met
How Pioglitazone, Metformin interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberMetformin (glucophage), Oral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Pioglitazone, Metformin interaction"phentolamineOraVerse, Rogitine, Ryzumvi
How "phentolamine interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + "phentolamine interaction6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavirZiagen
How Abacavir interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Abacavir interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Chitosan 750 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Dietary FiberOral Drugs Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Read the full Dietary Fiber + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Chitosan 750 mg 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.
Dietary Fiber
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce the effects of carbamazepine and increase the risk for convulsions.
Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce carbamazepine absorption. A preliminary study using blond psyllium reported decreased carbamazepine bioavailability due to binding of the drug to psyllium, as well as reduction of available fluid in the gut for dissolution of the drug. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.
Lithium
Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as lithium might reduce lithium absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might reduce lithium absorption and plasma levels. Some case reports describe a reduction in plasma lithium levels with concomitant administration of blond psyllium. This was reversed when psyllium was stopped. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.
Metformin (Glucophage)
Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Animal research shows that concurrent consumption of blond psyllium with metformin slows and increases the absorption of metformin. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after metformin.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as olanzapine might reduce olanzapine absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might decrease the absorption of olanzapine. A single case report describes a reduction in the effectiveness of olanzapine when it was concomitantly administered with an unspecified type of psyllium 3 grams orally twice daily. This effect was reversed when psyllium was stopped.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as digoxin might reduce digoxin absorption and decrease digoxin levels.
Psyllium might bind digoxin in the gut. However, some clinical evidence suggests that psyllium does not impact digoxin absorption.
Ethinyl Estradiol
Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as ethinyl estradiol might alter levels of estradiol.
Concurrent use of blond psyllium with ethinyl estradiol results in a slight increase in the extent of ethinyl estradiol absorption and a slower rate of absorption. This is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Oral Drugs
Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Psyllium seems to have variable effects on drug absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after oral medications. Animal research shows that blond psyllium delays and increases the absorption of metformin and ethinyl estradiol. Case reports and animal research suggest that blond psyllium might reduce absorption of lithium, digoxin, olanzapine, and carbamazepine. Finally, some pharmacokinetic studies show that psyllium does not affect the absorption of levothyroxine or warfarin. Although many of these studies evaluated blond psyllium, the fiber content in black psyllium may have similar effects.
Chitosan
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 750 mg, from the product label.
Chitosan 750 mg by KAL: Common Questions
Does Chitosan 750 mg by KAL interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Will chitosan help me lose weight?
What if I have a shellfish allergy?
What are the most common side effects?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
How is chitosan supposed to work?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Chitosan 750 mg 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 750 mg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Black Psyllium
Interacts with 2,025 drugsBlack psyllium is a soluble-fiber supplement made from the seeds of a Plantago plant, used mostly to ease constipation and support digestive health. It is best known and most studied for rel...
Read the full Black Psyllium monograph → Herb & supplement monographChitosan
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 →Sources & How We Checked
Chitosan 750 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.
- 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 35 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.
Black Psyllium 18 references
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
- Etman M. Effect of a bulk forming laxative on the bioavailablility of carbamazepine in man. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1995;21:1901-6.
- Perlman BB. Interaction between lithium salts and ispaghula husk. Lancet 1990;335:416.
- Vaswani SK, Hamilton RG, Valentine MD, Adkinson NF. Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis. Allergy 1996;51:266-8. PubMed
- Lantner RR, Espiritu BR, Zumerchik P, Tobin MC. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of a psyllium-containing cereal. JAMA 1990;264:2534-6. DOI
- Kaplan MJ. Anaphylactic reaction to "Heartwise." N Engl J Med 1990;323:1072-3. DOI
- Nordstrom M, Melander A, Robertsson E, Steen B. Influence of wheat bran and of a bulk-forming ispaghula cathartic on the bioavailability of digoxin in geriatric in-patients. Drug Nutr Interact 1987;5:67-9..
- Robinson DS, Benjamin DM, McCormack JJ. Interaction of warfarin and nonsystemic gastrointestinal drugs. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1971;12:491-5. PubMed
- Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, Diez MJ, et al. Influence of two dietary fibers in the oral bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of ethinyloestradiol. Contraception 2000;62:253-7. PubMed
- Fernandez N, Lopez C, Díez R, et al. Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2012;8(11):1377-86.
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- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (21CFR 101.17). Food labeling warning, notice, and safe handling statements. Available at www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=20f647d3b74161501f46564b915b4048&mc=true&node=se21.2.101_117&rgn=div8. Accessed December 3, 2
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