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Dietary supplement

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Wise Woman Herbals

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack is a dietary supplement by Wise Woman Herbals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for thyroid support, iodine source, weight management.Based on those ingredients, 891 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bladderwrack. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

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 0 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (3 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: bladderwrack, a brown seaweed rich in iodine and other minerals. It comes as a liquid in a base of spring water and alcohol.

Does it work?

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

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Fucus Vesiculosus's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Thyroid support and iodine source.
  • We looked for evidence on: Hypothyroidism, Iodine deficiency, Thyroid function, Metabolic support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Fucus Vesiculosus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hypothyroidism (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Fucus Vesiculosus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Iodine deficiency.

The evidence we hold does not establish bladderwrack's effectiveness for any condition. Our data lists six uses — aging skin, cardiovascular disease, constipation, diarrhea, and dyspepsia — all rated Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate.

That means either the research is too limited or too mixed to draw a conclusion. If you're considering bladderwrack for one of these reasons, talk to your pharmacist about what the current science actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Fucus Vesiculosus

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

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

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

When taken by mouth, bladderwrack raises real safety flags. Its iodine can cause goiter (an enlarged thyroid), an overactive thyroid, an underactive thyroid, and in rare cases thyroid cancer.

The plant also may concentrate heavy metals from seawater. Because of excess iodine and possible heavy metal content, avoid bladderwrack during pregnancy.

If you're breastfeeding, skip it too — iodine passes into breast milk and could disrupt your baby's thyroid. One case report described heart palpitations and a dangerous heart rhythm in someone taking a weight-loss blend that included bladderwrack, though it's unclear which ingredient was responsible.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Fucus Vesiculosus

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Fucus Vesiculosus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; lithium.
  • For scale: 892 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.

If you take lithium, any antithyroid drug, thyroid hormone, or amiodarone, double-check this product with your pharmacist before use — these are Moderate-severity interactions driven by bladderwrack's iodine content. Also flag any CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 substrates and blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, though evidence for those is theoretical.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bladderwrack is not established to treat any condition in our data. Its high, unpredictable iodine content makes it risky if you take lithium, thyroid medications, or amiodarone.

Avoid it in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk to your pharmacist before starting — they can check it against your medications and help you weigh whether it's right for you.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2023.

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 Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack, straight from the product label.

Brand Wise Woman Herbals
Barcode (UPC) 748840009356
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2023
DSLD ID 284830
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals, 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:
10 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
60 Drop(s)
Servings per container
20
UPC/BARCODE
748840009356
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend3 mL--
Bladderwrack0 NP--

Other ingredients: spring Water, Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Shake well. Add 10-60 drops to water, 1-4 times per day.

Formulation

The presence of particulate matter in this product is normal.

Precautions

Caution: Not recommended during pregnancy or with hyperthyroidism.

Keep out of the reach of children.

General Statements

Botanical formula

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight with the lid tightly sealed.

See for yourself

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals

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

Serving size10 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container20 Amounts shown are per serving.

Proprietary Blend

3 mL per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Spring Water, Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack?

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
891Drugs
23 Moderate 868 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bladderwrack9 drug types · 891 drugs

Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Theoretically, combining Fucus vesiculosus with amiodarone might cause excessively high iodine levels.
Fucus vesiculosus contains high concentrations of iodine. Amiodarone contains 37.3% iodine and can increase iodine levels. Concomitant use might increase the risk of having excessive iodine levels and adversely affecting thyroid function. Monitor thyroid function.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antithyroid Drugs

Due to its iodine content, Fucus vesiculosus might alter the effects of antithyroid drugs.
Fucus vesiculosus contains high concentrations of iodine. Iodine in high doses has been reported to cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, depending on the individual's past medical history. Taking Fucus vesiculosus while using antithyroid drugs could alter the effects of the antithyroid drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus and lithium has resulted in hyperthyroidism.
There is a case of hyperthyroidism occurring in a patient taking Fucus vesiculosus and lithium. Monitor thyroid hormones closely in patients taking lithium and Fucus vesiculosus concomitantly.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Due to its iodine content, Fucus vesiculosus might alter the effects of thyroid hormone.
Fucus vesiculosus contains high concentrations of iodine. Iodine in high doses has been reported to cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, depending on the individual's past medical history. Taking Fucus vesiculosus while using thyroid hormone could alter the effects of thyroid hormone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking Fucus vesiculosus with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
In vitro evidence suggests that a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, known as fucoidan, has anticoagulant effects. However, in clinical research, fucoidan does not seem to have significant anticoagulant activity when taken orally, possibly due to poor absorption.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C8 (Cyp2C8) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2C8 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, inhibits CYP2C8. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2C9 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, inhibits CYP2C9. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP2D6 substrates might alter the effects of these substrates.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, both inhibits and induces CYP2D6. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of Fucus vesiculosus with CYP3A4 substrates might increase the risk for adverse effects.
In vitro research shows that fucoidan, a constituent of Fucus vesiculosus, inhibits CYP3A4. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack, from the product label.

Wise Woman Herbals

See all Wise Woman Herbals products
Name
Wise Woman Herbals
City
Creswell
State
OR
ZipCode
97426
Phone Number
541.895.5152
Web Address
wisewomanherbals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals: Common Questions

Does Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack by Wise Woman Herbals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack has a known interaction with 891 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is bladderwrack safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. The data advises against it in pregnancy because of excess iodine and possible heavy metal content. Avoid it while breastfeeding too — iodine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby's thyroid.
What are the most common side effects?
When taken by mouth, the main risks are goiter, an overactive thyroid, and an underactive thyroid — all tied to its iodine content. Thyroid cancer is rare but has been reported. One case also described heart palpitations and dangerous heart rhythms, though the ingredient responsible wasn't certain.
Does bladderwrack actually work for weight loss or other conditions?
We don't have evidence it works for any condition. Our data lists six uses — aging skin, heart disease, constipation, diarrhea, and upset stomach — all rated Insufficient Reliable Evidence. There's just not enough research to say.
Why is iodine in bladderwrack such a big deal?
Bladderwrack contains very high amounts of iodine, and that amount varies a lot from batch to batch. Too much iodine can disrupt your thyroid in either direction — overactive or underactive — and it can interfere with thyroid medications and lithium.
What's in this product besides bladderwrack?
It's a liquid made with spring water and alcohol as the base. Those are inactive ingredients to carry the bladderwrack.

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

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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.

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Fucus Ves. Bladderwrack'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 15 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.

Fucus Vesiculosus 15 references
  1. Goodman GA, Rall TW, Nies AS, Taylor P. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
  2. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  3. Phaneuf D, Cote I, Dumas P, et al. Evaluation of the contamination of marine algae (Seaweed) from the St. Lawrence River and likely to be consumed by humans. Environ Res 1999;80:S175-S182. PubMed
  4. Durig J, Bruhn T, Zurborn KH, et al. Anticoagulant fucoidan fractions from Fucus vesiculosus induce platelet activation in vitro. Thromb Res 1997;85:479-91. PubMed
  5. Conz PA, La Greca G, Benedetti P, et al. Fucus vesiculosus: a nephrotoxic alga? Nephrol Dial Transplant 1998;13:526-7.
  6. Ohye H, Fukata S, Kanoh M, et al. Thyrotoxicosis caused by weight-reducing herbal medicines. Arch Intern Med 2005;165:831-4. PubMed
  7. Okamura K, Inoue K, Omae T. A case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid immunological abnormality manifested after habitual ingestion of seaweed. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1978;88:703-12. PubMed
  8. Agarwal SC, Crook JR, Pepper CB. Herbal remedies -- how safe are they? A case report of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation induced by herbal medication used for obesity. Int J Cardiol 2006;106:260-1. PubMed
  9. Sterling JB, Heymann WR. Potassium iodide in dermatology: a 19th century drug for the 21st century-uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:691-7. PubMed
  10. Catania, M. A., Oteri, A., Caiello, P., Russo, A., Salvo, F., Giustini, E. S., Caputi, A. P., and Polimeni, G. Hemorrhagic cystitis induced by an herbal mixture. South.Med.J. 2010;103(1):90-92. PubMed
  11. Cumashi, A., Ushakova, N. A., Preobrazhenskaya, M. E., D'Incecco, A., Piccoli, A., Totani, L., Tinari, N., Morozevich, G. E., Berman, A. E., Bilan, M. I., Usov, A. I., Ustyuzhanina, N. E., Grachev, A. A., Sanderson, C. J., Kelly, M., Rabinovich, G. A., I
  12. Irhimeh, M. R., Fitton, J. H., and Lowenthal, R. M. Pilot clinical study to evaluate the anticoagulant activity of fucoidan. Blood Coagul.Fibrinolysis 2009;20(7):607-610. PubMed
  13. Arbaizar, B. and Llorca, J. [Fucus vesiculosus induced hyperthyroidism in a patient undergoing concomitant treatment with lithium]. Actas Esp.Psiquiatr. 2011;39(6):401-403.
  14. Church FC, Meade JB, Treanor RE, and et al. Antithrombin activity of fucoidan. The interaction of fucoidan with heparin cofactor II, antithrombin III, and thrombin. J Biol Chem 2-25-1989;264(6):3618-3623. DOI
  15. Mathew L, Burney M, Gaikwad A, et al. Preclinical evaluation of safety of fucoidan extracts from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus for use in cancer treatment. Integr Cancer Ther 2017;16(4):572-84.

See these in context on the Fucus Vesiculosus monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

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

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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