Green Lipped Mussel Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Swanson
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Green Lipped Mussel 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
Green Lipped Mussel is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for heart health, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains two active ingredients: olive oil and green-lipped mussel oil. Olive oil, a food-based ingredient, is included here in a concentrated supplement form rather than as a cooking oil.
Green-lipped mussel oil comes from a New Zealand shellfish and is rich in lipids. The capsule itself is made from gelatin and also contains glycerin, water, and vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol) as inactive ingredients.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence for both ingredients in this product isn't established in our data. For olive oil, we hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for osteoporosis, dyspepsia (indigestion), exercise-induced respiratory infections, shingles, influenza, or osteoarthritis.
Similarly, for green-lipped mussel oil, we have insufficient evidence to rate it for asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, or exercise-induced muscle soreness. If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk with your pharmacist about what the research actually supports.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Olive oil as a food is very safe, but concentrated olive supplements are less well studied — the safety data we have is limited. The most common side effects from olive oil in trials were headache and stomach discomfort, and one patient reported acne.
Green-lipped mussel oil is generally well tolerated but does carry more frequent gastrointestinal effects: abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea. Rare cases of serious liver inflammation have been reported with a specific mussel extract brand.
Anyone with a shellfish allergy should avoid this product entirely. For pregnancy, the safety data for green-lipped mussel oil advises against use — there isn't enough information to know it's safe.
For breastfeeding, safety hasn't been established, so it's best avoided. Olive oil has no pregnancy or lactation data on file, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about personalized advice if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for either ingredient in this product with any medications we could check. That doesn't mean interactions are impossible — just that they haven't been flagged in the studies we hold.
Check your exact prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs using the tool on this page to be sure.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
This product might be worth considering if you're looking for a combined omega-rich supplement, but the evidence for what it actually does isn't solid in our data. Skip it if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to shellfish.
Watch for stomach upset, and if you see signs of liver problems, contact your doctor right away. Run your medications through the checker below before you start.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 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
General information
Key facts about Green Lipped Mussel, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Swanson |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 087614170794 |
| Net contents | 30 Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jun 24, 2019 |
| DSLD ID | 203472 |
| Product type | Fat/fatty Acid |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | 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 Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Oil | 100 mg | -- |
| Green Lipped Mussel Oil | 50 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, purified (deionized) Water, D-Alpha-Tocopherol
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement take one softgel per day with food and water.
Precautions
Warning: For adults only.
Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are taking medication or have a medical condition.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal is broken.
Contains shellfish (green lipped mussel).
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
General Statements
Joint health and mobility Sourced from New Zealand
Product of New Zealand
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Formula
Contains shellfish (green lipped mussel).
General
SWE079 Rev 0 08 13 18
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson 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 Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson
These are the 2 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.
Olive Oil
No knowninteractions
Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyr...
Olive Oil monograph & interactionsGreen Lipped Mussel Oil
No knowninteractions
New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a shellfish-derived supplement rich in omega-3 fats that is mostly used for joint pain and arthritis. Some studies...
Green Lipped Mussel Oil monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified (deionized) Water, D-Alpha-Tocopherol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Green Lipped Mussel. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Green Lipped Mussel, from the product label.
Swanson
See all Swanson products- Name
- Swanson Health Products
- City
- Fargo
- State
- ND
- ZipCode
- 58104
- Phone Number
- 1-800-437-4148
- Web Address
- swanson.com
Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson: Common Questions
Does Green Lipped Mussel by Swanson interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What are the most common side effects?
Is this safe if I have a shellfish allergy?
What does green-lipped mussel oil do?
I noticed yellowing skin and dark urine after starting this — should I be concerned?
Why is olive oil in a supplement if I can just cook with olive oil?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Green Lipped Mussel 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 Green Lipped Mussel’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Olive
Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Olive oil as part of a Mediterrane...
Read the full Olive monograph → Herb & supplement monographNew Zealand Green-lipped Mussel
New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a shellfish-derived supplement rich in omega-3 fats that is mostly used for joint pain and arthritis. Some studies suggest a modest benefit for osteoarthri...
Read the full New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Green Lipped Mussel'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 14 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.
Olive 2 references
- Liccardi G, D'Amato M, D'Amato G. Oleaceae pollinosis: a review. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1996;111:210-7. PubMed
- Somerville V, Moore R, Braakhuis A. The effect of olive leaf extract on upper respiratory illness in high school athletes: A randomised control trial. Nutrients. 2019;11(2). pii: E358. PubMed
New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 12 references
- Miller T, Wu H. In vivo evidence for prostaglandin inhibitory activity in New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract. N Z Med J 1984;97:355-7.
- Gibson SLM, Gibson RG. The treatment of arthritis with a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus: a randomised trial. Complement Ther Med 1998;6:122-6.
- Gibson RG, Gibson SL, Conway V, Chappell D. Perna canaliculus in the treatment of arthritis. Practitioner 1980;224:955-60.
- Fabrin, B. [Possible toxic hepatitis after intake of an alternative preparation]. Ugeskr.Laeger 6-13-1988;150(24):1474-1475.
- Gibson, R. G. and Gibson, S. L. Green-lipped mussel extract in arthritis. Lancet 2-21-1981;1(8217):439. PubMed
- Ahern, M. J., Milazzo, S. C., and Dymock, R. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 8-9-1980;2(3):151-152. PubMed
- Croft, J. E. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 10-4-1980;2(7):401-402. PubMed
- Lau, S., Chiu, P. K., Chu, E. M. Y., Cheng, I. Y. W., Tang, W. M., Man, R. Y. K., and Halpern, G. M. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Lyprinol, lipid extract of the green-lipped mussel - a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Progress in Nutrition
- Gruenwald, J., Graubaum, H., Hansen, K., and Grube, B. Efficacy and tolerability of a combination of LYPRINOL and high concentrations of EPA and DHA in inflammatory rheumatoid disorders... eicosapentaenoic acid... decosahexaenoid acid. Advances in Therap PubMed
- Coulson S, Vecchio P, Gramotnev H, Vitetta L. Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract efficacy in knee osteoarthritis and improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction: a pilot study. Inflammopharmacology 2012;20:71-6. PubMed
- Sukumaran S, Pittman KB, Patterson WK, et al. A phase I study to determine the safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) lipid extract, in patients with advanced prostate and breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2010;2 PubMed
- Lello J, Liang A, Robinson E, et al. Treatment of children's asthma with a lipid extract of the new Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) (Lyprinol®)-A double blind, randomized controlled trial in children with moderate to serve chronic obstruct
See these in context on the New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 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