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Dietary supplement

Herring Caviar Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Herring Caviar Oil label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Minor
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Herring Caviar Oil 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: Minor

Herring Caviar Oil is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for liver health and fatty liver, brain and memory support, prenatal nutrition and fetal development.Based on those ingredients, 16 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Choline. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola

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 Aug 6, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • “Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (160 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.
  • “Total Phospholipids” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (420 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.
  • “Herring Caviar Complex” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1,000 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Dr. Mercola's Herring Caviar Oil is a 5-ingredient supplement built around omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) sourced from herring caviar, plus phospholipids — compounds that support cell membranes.

The product also contains choline, which your body uses for nerve and liver function, and phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid form of choline that may play a role in liver health and brain function. The inactive ingredients are the capsule shell and D-limonene, a natural component used in the formulation.

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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded its ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports its ingredients for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Ulcerative colitis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Phosphatidylcholine) (Natural Medicines).

Our data shows phosphatidylcholine is possibly effective for ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), though evidence for other uses like fatty liver disease, Alzheimer disease, and anxiety isn't reliable enough to rate. For choline, the evidence doesn't support its use for athletic performance and remains insufficient for bronchitis, age-related cognitive decline, and several other conditions in our records.

The omega-3 fatty acids themselves — the main components of this product — don't have effectiveness ratings in the data we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Choline

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Phosphatidylcholine is generally well tolerated in supplement amounts, though high doses can trigger bloating, diarrhea, nausea, altered taste, and vomiting. Choline is well tolerated at normal food and supplement levels, but doses above 3.5 grams daily can cause fishy body odor and at doses of 9 grams or higher, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and vomiting.

During pregnancy, choline is important for fetal development, but supplement doses should only be used as your doctor advises — the same applies while breastfeeding, when your choline needs are higher. There isn't enough reliable data on phosphatidylcholine supplement use in pregnancy or while nursing; check with your healthcare provider first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Choline

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Choline.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 16 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 doctor or pharmacist if you take atropine. While Minor-severity, choline can reduce atropine's effects in the brain.

Since we couldn't check three of the five active ingredients for interactions, run your complete medication list through the search tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement is built around omega-3s and phospholipids that may support liver and brain health, though solid evidence for most uses isn't established in our data. If you take atropine or other medications, check them against the search tool here before starting — choline can affect how atropine works.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product fits your health goals and current medications.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2021.

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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Herring Caviar Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 810487033978
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2021
DSLD ID 250352
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses 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 Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
810487033978
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories10 Calorie(s)--
Eicosapentaenoic Acid40 mg--
Docosahexaenoic Acid110 mg--
Cholesterol40 mg13%
Total Fat1 Gram(s)1%
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids160 mg--
Phosphatidylcholine345 mg--
Phosphatidylethanolamine26 mg--
Total Phospholipids420 mg--
Choline40 mg7%
Herring Caviar Complex1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, D-Limonene

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: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take two (2) capsules daily with a meal.

Precautions

Warning: If you have a blood coagulation condition or are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (coumadin), do not use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

Contains fish (herring, tilapia).

General Statements

Dr. Mercola has been providing quality products since 2001.

Formulation

The Herring in this product comes from a fishery that has been independently certified to the MSC's standard for a well-managed and sustainable fishery. www.msc.org

Seals/Symbols

Certified Sustainable Seafood MSC www.msc.org

Formula

Omega-3s with Choline & Phospholipids

Dietary Supplement

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

See for yourself

Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola label

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

Herring Caviar Oil 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 Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 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.

Choline

Interacts with
16 drugs
40 mg per serving Form: Herring Caviar oil

Choline is an essential nutrient your body needs for liver function, brain health, and nerve signaling, and many people get enough from foods like egg...

Choline monograph & interactions

Herring Caviar Complex

1000 mg per serving Form: Herring Caviar extract, organic Medium Chain Triglycerides oil
  • › Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • › Total Phospholipids

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule, D-Limonene. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Herring Caviar Oil?

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
16Drugs
16 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Choline 16

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Herring Caviar Oil interact with 16 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 3 ingredients in Herring Caviar Oil interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Choline

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Herring Caviar Oil 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.

Choline1 drug type · 16 drugs

Atropine

Theoretically, choline might decrease the effects of atropine in the brain.
Animal research shows that administering choline one hour before administering atropine can attenuate atropine-induced decreases in brain levels of acetylcholine. Theoretically, concomitant use of choline and atropine may decrease the effects of atropine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Choline full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Herring Caviar Oil, from the product label.

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Herring Caviar Oil by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Herring Caviar Oil has a known interaction with 16 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Herring Caviar Oil contains 3 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.
Is this safe to take while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Choline is important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but supplement doses should only be used under your doctor's guidance — don't rely on a prenatal or breastfeeding regimen without professional advice. For phosphatidylcholine, there isn't enough reliable data on supplement use during pregnancy or while nursing, so talk with your healthcare provider first.
What side effects might I notice from this product?
Phosphatidylcholine can cause bloating, diarrhea, nausea, altered taste, or vomiting at higher doses. Choline at normal supplement levels is usually well tolerated, but at very high doses (9+ grams daily) it may cause fishy body odor, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Start with the label dose and talk to your pharmacist if anything bothers you.
Does this product work for brain health or memory?
Both phosphatidylcholine and choline are used for Alzheimer disease and cognitive decline, but our data shows evidence for these uses isn't reliable enough to rate them as effective. The omega-3 fatty acids themselves may support brain function, but we don't have effectiveness ratings for them in our records.
What are the phospholipids in this product for?
Phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine are compounds that make up cell membranes and support liver and brain function. Phosphatidylcholine is possibly effective for ulcerative colitis, though for other conditions like fatty liver disease, evidence isn't strong enough to confirm benefit.
Why does the product contain choline if I'm just taking it for omega-3s?
Herring caviar naturally contains choline and phospholipids alongside omega-3 fatty acids, so they come as part of the same source. These compounds work together to support cell health and liver function, which is why they're all included.

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.

Herring Caviar Oil label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Herring Caviar Oil’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Choline

Interacts with 16 drugs

Choline is an essential nutrient your body needs for liver function, brain health, and nerve signaling, and many people get enough from foods like eggs, meat, and fish. Supplements may help...

Read the full Choline monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Herring Caviar Oil'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 29 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.

Phosphatidylcholine 15 references
  1. Domino EF, May WW, Demetriou S, et al. Lack of clinically significant improvement of patients with tardive dyskinesia following phosphatidylcholine therapy. Biol Psychiatry 1985;20:1189-96. PubMed
  2. Aronson PJ, Lorincz AL. Promotion of palmar sweating with oral phosphatidylcholine. Acta Derm Venereol 1985;65:19-24. DOI
  3. Hexsel DM, Serra M, de Oliveira Dal'Forno T, et al. Cosmetic uses of injectable phosphatidylcholine on the face. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2005;38:1119-29. PubMed
  4. Kopera D, Binder B, Toplak H, et al. Histopathologic changes after intralesional application of phosphatidylcholine for lipoma reduction: report of a case. Am J Dermatopathol 2006;28:331-3. PubMed
  5. Rittes PG. The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of lower lid bulging due to prominent fat pads. Dermatol Surg 2001;27:391-2. PubMed
  6. Rotunda AM, Kolodney MS. Mesotherapy and phosphatidylcholine injections: historical clarification and review. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:465-80. PubMed
  7. Hexsel D, Serra M, Mazzuco R, et al. Phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of localized fat. J Drugs Dermatol 2003;2:511-8.
  8. Hasengschwandtner F. Phosphatidylcholine treatment to induce lipolysis. Cosmet Dermatol 2005;4:308-13. PubMed
  9. Rittes PG. The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of localized fat deposits. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2003;27:315-8. PubMed
  10. Ablon G, Rotunda AM. Treatment of lower eyelid fat pads using phosphatidylcholine: clinical trial and review. Dermatol Surg 2004;30:422-7. PubMed
  11. Loguercio C, Andreone P, Brisc C, et al. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial. Free Radic Biol Med 2012;52(9):1658-65. PubMed
  12. Panos, J. M., Palson, R., Johnson, R., Portmann, B., and Williams, R. Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine for acute alcoholic hepatitis: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial. Eur.J.Gastroenterol 1990;2:351-355.
  13. Stremmel W, Braun A, Hanemann A, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Delayed release phosphatidylcholine in chronic-active ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blinded, dose finding study. J Clin Gastroenterol 2010;44(5):e101-7. PubMed
  14. Stremmel W, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(9):603-10. PubMed
  15. Stremmel W, Vural H, Evliyaoglu O, Weiskirchen R. Delayed Release Phosphatidylcholine is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis. Dig Dis 2021;39(5):508-515. PubMed

See these in context on the Phosphatidylcholine monograph →

Choline 14 references
  1. Yates AA, Schlicker SA, Suitor CW. Dietary reference intakes: The new basis for recommendations for calcium and related nutrients, B vitamins, and choline. J Am Diet Assoc 1998;98:699-706. PubMed
  2. Cho E, Willett WC, Colditz GA, et al. Dietary choline and betaine and the risk of distal colorectal adenoma in women. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007;99:1224-31. PubMed
  3. Schmidt, C., Abicht, A., Krampfl, K., Voss, W., Stucka, R., Mildner, G., Petrova, S., Schara, U., Mortier, W., Bufler, J., Huebner, A., and Lochmuller, H. Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to a novel missense mutation in the gene encoding choline acetyl
  4. Tamminga, C., Smith, R. C., Chang, S., Haraszti, J. S., and Davis, J. M. Depression associated with oral choline. Lancet 10-23-1976;2(7991):905. PubMed
  5. Wood, J. L. and Allison, R. G. Effects of consumption of choline and lecithin on neurological and cardiovascular systems. Fed.Proc. 1982;41(14):3015-3021.
  6. Growdon, J. H. and Gelenberg, A. J. Choline and lecithin administration to patients with tardive dyskinesia. Trans.Am.Neurol.Assoc. 1978;103:95-99.
  7. Smith, C. M., Swash, M., Exton-Smith, A. N., Phillips, M. J., Overstall, P. W., Piper, M. E., and Bailey, M. R. Choline therapy in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet 8-5-1978;2(8084):318. PubMed
  8. Morrison, L. M. and W. F. Gonzales. Choline in coronary atherosclerosis. Amer.Heart J. 1950;39:729.
  9. Christie, J. G. Blackburn 1. M. Glen A. I. M. Zeisel S. Shering A. & Yates C. M. Effects of choline and lecithin on CSF choline levels and on cognitive functioning in patients with presenile dementia of the Alzheimer type. Nutrition and the brain 1979;5
  10. Sidhu N, Davies S, Nadarajah A, et al. Oral choline supplementation for postoperative pain. Br J Anaesth 2013;111(2):249-55. PubMed
  11. Wozniak JR, Fuglestad AJ, Eckerle JK, et al. Choline supplementation in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders has high feasibility and tolerability. Nutr Res. 2013;33(11):897-904. PubMed
  12. Wozniak JR, Fuglestad AJ, Eckerle JK, et al. Choline supplementation in children with fetal alcohol disorders: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;102(5): 1113-25.
  13. Ross RG, Hunter SK, McCarthy L, et al. Perinatal choline effects on neonatal pathophysiology related to later schizophrenia risk. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(3):290-8. PubMed
  14. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Choline. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press; 1998:390-422.

See these in context on the Choline 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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