Food Carotene 500 mcg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Solaray
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Food Carotene 500 mcg 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
Food Carotene 500 mcg is a dietary supplement by Solaray with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for general nutrition and energy, antioxidant support, cholesterol and metabolic health.Based on those ingredients, 662 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin A, Spirulina. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray
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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 Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray
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
Low disclosure
Food Carotene 500 mcg contains 5 ingredients, with vitamin A and a carotenoid complex as the active components — they're what your body uses to support vision and skin health. The product also includes spirulina (a blue-green algae), carrot, and tomato, all traditional sources of these nutrients.
The remaining ingredients — gelatin, soybean oil, stearic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, and mixed tocopherols — are inactive fillers and capsule materials that help deliver the actives.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Vitamin A itself is rated effective for vitamin A deficiency and possibly effective for oral leukoplakia, aging skin, measles, ulcerative colitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure but has insufficient evidence for acne, hay fever, iron deficiency anemia, or arsenic poisoning.
Carrot is possibly effective for vitamin A deficiency. The effectiveness evidence for tomato is limited — it's rated possibly ineffective for bladder cancer, breast cancer, and diabetes, with insufficient evidence for other conditions like high cholesterol or benign prostate enlargement.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Vitamin A is generally well tolerated at recommended doses, but high doses build up in your body and can cause toxicity — including liver damage, headaches, and skin problems. Spirulina is generally well tolerated orally, though a small number of users report abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and headache; rare allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported.
Carrot and tomato are well tolerated as foods; allergic reactions to either (hives, swelling, or breathing trouble) occur in some people. Quality of spirulina products varies, and contamination with toxins or heavy metals is a documented concern — the facts advise caution or avoidance because of this risk.
Meds to double-check
Major interaction found
Double-check before starting if you take retinoid medications (like isotretinoin or tretinoin) — this is a Major interaction. Also check if you're on warfarin or other blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, immunosuppressants, drugs that stress your liver, or diabetes medications — all Moderate interactions with vitamin A or spirulina.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This is a food-based carotene product, most useful if you're truly deficient in vitamin A. If you take retinoid skin medications, blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, or drugs that affect your liver, you need to check with your pharmacist first — the vitamin A here could cause problems.
Even if you're not on medications, be aware that spirulina carries a contamination risk, so quality matters.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 4 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2025.
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 Food Carotene 500 mcg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Solaray |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 076280041132 |
| Net contents | 30 Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Feb 23, 2025 |
| DSLD ID | 325981 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Spirulina | 0 NP | -- |
| Carrot | 0 NP | -- |
| Tomato | 0 NP | -- |
| Carotenoid Complex | 80 mg | -- |
| Yam | 0 NP | -- |
| Vitamin A | 500 mcg | 56% |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Soybean Oil, Stearic Acid, Mixed Carotenoids, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mixed Tocopherols
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.
Brand IP Statement(s)
Solaray Est. 1973 A Brighter Way 1973
Formulation
Plant source Dry form Hair & skin health Immune system
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Lab Verified
General Statements
Since 1973, we've scoured the globe for the highest quality ingredients, connecting you with the most efficacious supplements that help you live brighter & embrace the moments that matter most.
Comments or Questions: 800-538-5888 www.solaray.com 100% PCR Bottles
Precautions
Warning: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing. Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product.
Keep out of reach of children.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: Use only as directed. Take 1 capsule daily with a meal or glass of water.
Storage
Store is a cool, dry place.
Formula
Discussion: Food Carotene provides plant sourced Beta Carotene. It supports normal, healthy skin and eyes, antioxidants activity and immune system function. The Vitamin A in these capsules is in the dry (non-oily) powder form intended for individuals who may have difficulty digesting fats or oils.
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.
Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray 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 Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray
These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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.
Vitamin A
Interacts with387 drugs
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient important for vision, skin, immune function, and growth. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, and supplemen...
Vitamin A monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Soybean Oil, Stearic Acid, Mixed Carotenoids, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mixed Tocopherols. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Solaray Food Carotene 500 mcg has documented interactions with several medication types, the most serious involving retinoid drugs (like isotretinoin or tretinoin).
Taking this product with retinoids can push vitamin A levels dangerously high because retinoids are vitamin A derivatives — their effects add up.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
You'll also want to check if you're on blood thinners like warfarin, tetracycline antibiotics, or drugs that stress your liver. High doses of vitamin A — the main active ingredient here — can theoretically thin your blood further with warfarin, increase the risk of a rare brain swelling called pseudotumor cerebri when combined with tetracyclines, or strain your liver if you're already taking hepatotoxic drugs.
Spirulina, another ingredient, may modestly increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants or blood thinners, interfere with immune-suppressing medications, or lower blood sugar with diabetes drugs.
Carrot and tomato have no documented interactions with medications in our data. Altogether, these interactions span 644 individual medications.
Check your exact prescriptions with the tool below before starting.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Food Carotene 500 mcg?
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 Food Carotene 500 mcg interact with 662 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 5 ingredients in Food Carotene 500 mcg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Vitamin A Spirulina
AcitretinSoriatane
How Acitretin interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acitretin interactionAlitretinoinPanretin
How Alitretinoin interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Alitretinoin interactionBexaroteneTargretin
How Bexarotene interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Bexarotene interactionHalobetasol Propionate,tazaroteneDuobrii
How Halobetasol Propionate,tazarotene interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Halobetasol Propionate,tazarotene interactionIsotretinoinAbsorica, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Roaccutane, Sotret
How Isotretinoin interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Isotretinoin interactionTazaroteneArazlo, Avage, Fabior, Tazorotene, Zorac
How Tazarotene interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tazarotene interactionTretinoinAltreno, Renova, Retin-A, Vesanoid
How Tretinoin interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tretinoin interactionTretinoin, Benzoyl PeroxideTwyneo
How Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide interactionEtretinateTegison
How Etretinate interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Etretinate interaction6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + 6-mercaptopurine interactionSpirulinaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full Spirulina + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SpirulinaAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina + Abciximab interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abiraterone interactionAbiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga
How Abiraterone Acetate interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abiraterone Acetate interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SpirulinaAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs, Immunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina + Abrocitinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SpirulinaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Spirulina + Acarbose interactionVitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acebutolol interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SpirulinaAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina + Acenocoumarol interactionAcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionSpirulinaAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SpirulinaAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionVitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, CodeineGesic C15, Gesic C30, Gesic C8, Lenoltec 1, Lenoltec 2, Lenoltec 3 +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Food Carotene 500 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Food Carotene 500 mcg 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.
Vitamin A
Retinoids
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, could have additive toxic effects when taken with vitamin A supplements.
Hepatotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects. Doses of vitamin A above the UL can cause hepatotoxicity, ranging from elevated liver enzymes to liver failure.
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Theoretically, taking tetracycline antibiotics with high doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of pseudotumor cerebri.
Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) can occur with tetracyclines and with acute or chronic vitamin A toxicity. Case reports suggest that taking tetracyclines and vitamin A concurrently can increase the risk of this condition. Avoid high doses of vitamin A in people taking tetracyclines chronically.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Theoretically, high doses of vitamin A could increase the risk of bleeding with warfarin.
Vitamin A toxicity is associated with hemorrhage and hypoprothrombinemia, possibly due to vitamin K antagonism. Advise patients taking warfarin to avoid doses of vitamin A above the tolerable upper intake level of 10,000 IU/day for adults.
Spirulina
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, this is unlikely.
Spirulina blue-green algae have shown antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in vitro. However, one preliminary study in 24 patients receiving spirulina blue-green algae 2.3 grams daily for 2 weeks showed no effect on platelet activation or measures of clotting time.
Antidiabetes Drugs
Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Human research shows that spirulina blue-green algae can have hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes, at least some of whom were using antidiabetes drugs. However, blue-green algae does not seem to improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with diabetes. A meta-analysis of animal studies also suggests that spirulina blue-green algae have hypoglycemic effects.
Immunosuppressants
Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Blue-green algae have been shown to stimulate the immune system.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Food Carotene 500 mcg, from the product label.
Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray: Common Questions
Does Food Carotene 500 mcg by Solaray interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is this safe during pregnancy?
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
What does the vitamin A in this do?
Why does the safety section mention contamination?
Will this help my acne?
What are the most common side effects?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Food Carotene 500 mcg 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 Food Carotene 500 mcg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Blue-green Algae
Interacts with 327 drugsBlue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and general wellness. Evidence for most heal...
Read the full Blue-green Algae monograph → Herb & supplement monographCarrot
Carrot is a common food vegetable that is a rich source of beta-carotene (which the body turns into vitamin A) and other nutrients. Eating carrots is safe and nutritious for most people, but...
Read the full Carrot monograph → Herb & supplement monographTomato
Tomato is a common food rich in vitamins, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene, and eating it as part of a balanced diet is healthy for most people. Concentrated tomato or lycopene supple...
Read the full Tomato monograph → Herb & supplement monographVitamin A
Interacts with 387 drugsVitamin A is an essential nutrient important for vision, skin, immune function, and growth. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, and supplements are mainly useful for correcting a tr...
Read the full Vitamin A monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Food Carotene 500 mcg'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.
Blue-green Algae 22 references
- Jensen GS, Ginsberg DJ, Huerta P, et al. Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae has rapid effects on the circulation and function of immune cells in humans. A novel approach to nutritional mobilization of the immune system. JANA 2000;2:50-6.
- Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
- Hayashi O, Katoh T, Okuwaki Y. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary Spirulina platensis. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1994;40:431-41.. PubMed
- Vitale S, Miller NR, Mejico LJ, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:18-32. PubMed
- Mani UV, Desai S, Iyer U. Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. J Nutraceut 2000;2(3):25-32. DOI
- Chiu HF, Yang SP, Kuo YL, et al. Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet effect of C-phycocyanin. Br J Nutr 2006;95:435-40. PubMed
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