Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 5 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Food Carotene Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Solaray

Food Carotene label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Food Carotene against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Food Carotene is a dietary supplement by Solaray with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, skin health and acne, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 1,123 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lemon Grass, Vitamin A, Spirulina. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Food Carotene by Solaray

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Food Carotene by Solaray — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Food Carotene 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.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 6 active ingredients.
  • “Carotenoid Complex” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (6 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Solaray Food Carotene has six ingredients total. The active ones are carrot concentrate (which provides vitamin A precursors), spirulina (a blue-green algae), lemongrass, annatto oil, vitamin A itself, and a carotenoid complex (a blend of carotenoid compounds).

The remaining ingredients are inactives: olive oil, gelatin, glycerin, yellow beeswax, lecithin, and titanium dioxide, which serve as the capsule and binding materials.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Vitamin A and carotenoid nutrition.
  • We looked for evidence on: Acne, Aging skin, Atopic dermatitis (eczema), Cataracts, Child development, Corneal abrasion — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Vitamin A is rated "Possibly Effective" for Aging skin (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vitamin A is rated "Possibly Effective" for Measles, Night vision.
  • Also on file: Blue-green Algae is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Acne, Malnutrition.

Carrot concentrate is possibly effective for vitamin A deficiency but has insufficient evidence for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, fibromyalgia, and prostate cancer. Spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure but insufficient evidence exists for acne, hay fever, iron deficiency anemia, and arsenic poisoning.

Lemongrass, annatto oil, and the carotenoid complex all lack sufficient evidence in our data for their claimed uses—headache, cough, diabetes, athletic performance, and others. Vitamin A itself is effective for vitamin A deficiency and possibly effective for oral leukoplakia, aging skin, measles, ulcerative colitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin A Carrot Blue-green Algae Lemongrass Annatto

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 4 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Carrot concentrate is well tolerated as a food but concentrated supplements are less studied. Safety data advises against high-dose carrot supplements, seed oil, or extracts during pregnancy; the same caution applies to breastfeeding.

Spirulina is generally well tolerated but quality varies—some products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals; safety data advises against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to contamination risk. Common side effects include abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and headache.

Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis are rare but reported. Lemongrass is likely safe in food amounts but concentrated extracts have less safety data; avoid medicinal amounts.

Annatto oil is generally recognized as safe as a food coloring but can rarely cause constipation or allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Vitamin A is generally well tolerated at recommended amounts but high doses are toxic because it builds up in your body—symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, and in severe cases, liver damage and increased brain pressure.

Safety data advises against high-dose vitamin A during pregnancy due to birth defect risk.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin A Carrot Blue-green Algae Lemongrass Annatto

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 4 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Annatto, Lemongrass, Blue-green Algae, Vitamin A.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,124 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist if you take: retinoids (Major severity—vitamin A); blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, liver-damaging medications, or tetracycline antibiotics (Moderate severity—vitamin A); diabetes medications (Moderate severity—spirulina and annatto oil); immunosuppressants (Moderate severity—spirulina); or medications broken down by your liver as CYP3A4 substrates or cleared by glucuronidation (Moderate severity—lemongrass).

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

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 product combines several ingredients with documented medication interactions, most notably vitamin A. If you take retinoids, blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, diabetes medications, or immunosuppressants, check your exact medications with the tool on this page before starting.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about whether this product is right for you, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 5 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 23, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Food Carotene, straight from the product label.

Brand Solaray
Net contents 100 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2019
DSLD ID 207633
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Food Carotene by Solaray, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Carrot concentrate0 NP--
Spirulina0 NP--
Lemon Grass0 NP--
Annatto Oil0 NP--
Vitamin A10000 IU200%
Carotenoid Complex6 mg--
Yam0 NP--

Other ingredients: Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, yellow Beeswax, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

All natural

Solaray guarantees that no ingredients other than those listed on this label have been added to this product.

Formula

10,000 IU Vitamin A activity Containing Alpha and Beta Carotene, Lutein, Cryptoxanthin, Zeaxanthin and other important carotenoids

Discussion: One softgel provides a minimum of 10,000 IU of Vitamin A activity in a unique, highly advanced formula containing 100% natural carotenoids found in food. One serving typically supplies: Beta Carotene 6300 mcg, Alpha Carotene 230 mcg, other carotenoids 130 mcg (Cryptoxanthin, Zeaxanthin & Lutein).

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Use only as directed. Take one softgel daily with a meal or glass of water.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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

See for yourself

Food Carotene by Solaray label

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

Food Carotene label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Food Carotene by Solaray

These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule 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 with
387 drugs
10000 IU per serving Form: natural Beta Carotene

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 & interactions

Carotenoid Complex

6 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Food Carotene by Solaray Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Food Carotene?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,123Drugs
9 Major 1,114 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Lemon Grass 708
Vitamin A 387
Spirulina 327
Annatto Oil 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Food Carotene interact with 1,123 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 6 ingredients in Food Carotene interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Lemon Grass Vitamin A Spirulina Annatto Oil

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Food Carotene 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.

Lemon Grass3 drug types · 708 drugs

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, lemongrass might decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.
Animal research shows that lemongrass and its constituent citral inhibit CYP3A4.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Glucuronidated Drugs

Theoretically, lemongrass might increase the clearance and decrease the levels of glucuronidated drugs.
Animal research shows that lemongrass and its constituent citral induce uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UGT), the major phase 2 enzyme that is responsible for glucuronidation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, lemongrass might increase the effects and adverse effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that high doses of lemongrass essential oil increases sleep time and decreases time to fall asleep in animals administered pentobarbital.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lemon Grass full monograph & interactions

Vitamin A4 drug types · 387 drugs

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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Vitamin A full monograph & interactions

Spirulina3 drug types · 327 drugs

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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Blue-green algae have been shown to stimulate the immune system.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Spirulina full monograph & interactions

Annatto Oil1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Animal studies suggest that certain annatto extracts may have hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic effects. Theoretically, taking annatto with antidiabetes drugs could reduce the therapeutic effects of these drugs or increase the risk for additive hypoglycemia. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Annatto Oil full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Food Carotene, from the product label.

Solaray

See all Solaray products
Name
Nutraceutical Corp.
Web Address
www.nutraceutical.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Food Carotene by Solaray: Common Questions

Does Food Carotene by Solaray interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Food Carotene has a known interaction with 1,123 medications, including 9 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Food Carotene contains 6 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does this product really provide vitamin A?
Yes. It contains both carrot concentrate (which provides beta-carotene, a precursor your body converts to vitamin A) and vitamin A itself. The carrot concentrate is possibly effective for vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin A is effective for it.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Carrot concentrate and vitamin A's safety data advises caution. High-dose vitamin A specifically may increase birth defect risk, so avoid high-dose supplements during pregnancy. Spirulina safety data advises against use due to contamination concerns. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation.
What side effects might I experience?
Most people tolerate carrot and vitamin A well at normal doses. Spirulina may cause abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or dizziness in some people. Annatto rarely causes constipation. Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis are rare but possible with carrot, spirulina, or annatto if you're sensitive.
Is this product tested for contamination?
The product facts note that spirulina quality varies and some products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals. We have no information on whether this specific Solaray product is tested for these contaminants—ask the manufacturer or your pharmacist.
Will this help my skin or slow aging?
Vitamin A in this product is possibly effective for aging skin. But we don't have sufficient evidence in our data for the other ingredients' effects on skin, and the doses here may not match what's been studied. Chat with your pharmacist about whether this is the right choice for your skin concerns.
Can I take this if I'm breastfeeding?
Carrot concentrate safety data advises caution—concentrated carrot supplements are not well studied while breastfeeding, though eating carrots as food is fine. Spirulina safety data advises against use due to contamination risk and unknown safety. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

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

Not sure if Food Carotene is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Food Carotene label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Food Carotene’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Vitamin A

Interacts with 387 drugs

Vitamin 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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Carrot

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 monograph

Blue-green Algae

Interacts with 327 drugs

Blue-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 monograph

Lemongrass

Interacts with 708 drugs

Lemongrass is a fragrant tropical grass widely used as a cooking herb, a tea, and an aromatherapy oil. It is generally considered safe in the small amounts used in food, but most of its clai...

Read the full Lemongrass monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Annatto

Interacts with 86 drugs

Annatto is a plant-based coloring made from the seeds of the achiote tree and is widely used as a safe food dye. While it has a long history in traditional medicine and contains antioxidant...

Read the full Annatto monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Food Carotene's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 84 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.

Carrot 14 references
  1. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  2. Wetzel WE, Lehn W, Grieb A. [Carotene jaundice in infants with "sugar nursing bottle syndrome"]. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 1989;137(10):659-61.
  3. el-Arab AE, Khalil F, Hussein L. Vitamin A deficiency among preschool children in a rural area of Egypt: the results of dietary assessment and biochemical assay. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2002;53(6):465-74. PubMed
  4. Helbling A. [Food allergy]. Ther Umsch 1994;51(1):31-7.
  5. Kaplan R. Carrot addiction. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1996;30(5):698-700.
  6. Ncube, T. N., Greiner, T., Malaba, L. C., and Gebre-Medhin, M. Supplementing lactating women with puréed papaya and grated carrots improved vitamin A status in a placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr 2001;131(5):1497-1502. PubMed
  7. Mullins M, Froelke BR, Rivera MR. Effect of delayed activated charcoal on acetaminophen concentration after simulated overdose of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2009;47(2):112-5. PubMed
  8. Kawai M, Tamagawa-Mineoka R, Hagura A, Masuda K, Katoh N. Allergic contact dermatitis due to carrots. J Dermatol 2014;41(8):753-4. PubMed
  9. Xu X, Cheng Y, Li S, et al. Dietary carrot consumption and the risk of prostate cancer. Eur J Nutr 2014;53(8):1615-23. PubMed
  10. Donaldson MS, Speight N, Loomis S. Fibromyalgia syndrome improved using a mostly raw vegetarian diet: an observational study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2001;1:7. PubMed
  11. Chen H, Shao F, Zhang F, Miao Q. Association between dietary carrot intake and breast cancer: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(37):e12164. PubMed
  12. Bosanac SS, Clark AK, Sivamani RK. Phytophotodermatitis related to carrot extract-containing sunscreen. Dermatol Online J. 2018;24(1). pii: 13030/qt2nv2d1n0. DOI
  13. Deding U, Baatrup G, Christensen LP, Kobaek-Larsen M. Carrot Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study of 57,053 Danes. Nutrients 2020;12(2):332. PubMed
  14. Sánchez-Guerrero IM, Nieto A, Meseguer J, et al. Occupational Rhinoconjunctivitis Induced by Unusual Allergens of Carrot. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2020;30(3):204-206. PubMed

See these in context on the Carrot monograph →

Blue-green Algae 22 references
  1. 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.
  2. Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Hsiao G, Chou PH, Shen MY, et al. C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53:7734-40.
  8. Katz M, Levine AA, Kol-Degani H, Kav-Venaki L. A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. J Atten Disord 2010;14:281-91. PubMed
  9. Madhyastha, H. K., Radha, K. S., Sugiki, M., Omura, S., and Maruyama, M. Purification of c-phycocyanin from Spirulina fusiformis and its effect on the induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator from calf pulmonary endothelial cells. Phytomedicine PubMed
  10. Mazokopakis, E. E., Karefilakis, C. M., Tsartsalis, A. N., Milkas, A. N., and Ganotakis, E. S. Acute rhabdomyolysis caused by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):525-527. PubMed
  11. Halidou, Doudou M., Degbey, H., Daouda, H., Leveque, A., Donnen, P., Hennart, P., and Dramaix-Wilmet, M. [The effect of spiruline during nutritional rehabilitation: systematic review]. Rev.Epidemiol.Sante Publique 2008;56(6):425-431.
  12. Konno, T., Umeda, Y., Umeda, M., Kawachi, I., Oyake, M., and Fujita, N. [A case of inflammatory myopathy with widely skin rash following use of supplements containing Spirulina]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51(5):330-333. PubMed
  13. Le TM, Knulst AC, Röckmann H. Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets. Food Chem Toxicol 2014;74:309-10. PubMed
  14. Rzymski P, Niedzielski P, Kaczmarek N, Jurczak T, Klimaszyk P. The multidisciplinary approach to safety and toxicity assessment of microalgae-based food supplements following clinical cases of poisoning. Harmful Algae 2015;46:34-42. DOI
  15. Petrus M, Culerrier R, Campistron M, et al. First case report of anaphylaxis to spirulin: identification of phycocyanin as responsible allergen. Allergy 2010;65(7):924-5. PubMed
  16. Marles RJ, Barrett ML, Barnes J, et al. United States Pharmacopeia safety evaluation of spirulina. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2011;51(7):593-604. PubMed
  17. Majdoub H, Ben Mansour M, Chaubet F, et al. Anticoagulant activity of a sulfated polysaccharide from the green alga Arthrospira platensis. Biochim Biophys Acta 2009;1790(10):1377-81. PubMed
  18. Cha BG, Kwak HW, Park AR, et al. Structural characteristics and biological performance of silk fibroin nanofiber containing microalgae spirulina extract. Biopolymers 2014;101(4):307-18. PubMed
  19. Jensen GS, Drapeau C, Lenninger M, Benson KF. Clinical safety of a high dose of phycocyanin-enriched aqueous extract from Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis: results from a randomized, double-Blind, placebo-controlled study with a focus on anticoagulant ac
  20. Hamedifard Z, Milajerdi A, Reiner Z, Taghizadeh M, Kolahdooz F, Asemi Z. The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized con
  21. Moradi S, Zobeiri M, Feizi A, Clark CCT, Entezari MH. The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative
  22. Ghanbari F, Amerizadeh A, Behshood P, Moradi S, Asgary S. Effect of microalgae arthrospira on biomarkers of glycemic control and glucose metabolism: a systematic Review and meta-analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022;47(10):100942. PubMed

See these in context on the Blue-green Algae monograph →

Lemongrass 2 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Li CC, Yu HF, Chang CH, Liu YT, Yao HT. Effects of lemongrass oil and citral on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes, oxidative stress, and acetaminophen toxicity in rats. J Food Drug Anal 2018;26(1):432-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Lemongrass monograph →

Annatto 15 references
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
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See these in context on the Vitamin A monograph →

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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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