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Dietary supplement

Joint Care Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Schiff MegaRed

Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Joint Care is a dietary supplement by Schiff MegaRed with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin hydration and aging, joint comfort and osteoarthritis, dry eyes.Based on those ingredients, 838 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Astaxanthin, Krill Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed

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 3 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (353 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Schiff MegaRed Joint Care contains 3 active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, and krill oil, blended together. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that may help with dry eye and wound healing.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant from marine sources. Krill oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

The product also includes inactive ingredients — gelatin, olive oil, glycerin, water, beeswax, colorants (Red 40 and Blue 1), and other excipients that form the softgel capsule and preserve it.

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.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: joint comfort and mobility support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, joint inflammation, cartilage health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Hyaluronic Acid is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Carpal tunnel syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • Also on file: Krill Oil is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence for this product's ingredients is mixed. Hyaluronic acid is possibly effective for dry eye and venous leg ulcers (wounds from poor circulation), but there's insufficient evidence to rate it for aging skin, hay fever, or sexual dysfunction.

Krill oil is possibly effective for dry eye, but we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate it for aging skin, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, high cholesterol, or cognitive function. Astaxanthin's effectiveness for age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, aging skin, Alzheimer's disease, athletic performance, or carpal tunnel syndrome has not been established in the data we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Hyaluronic Acid Astaxanthin Krill Oil

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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Krill oil and hyaluronic acid are generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though long-term safety data are limited for both. Krill oil may cause gastrointestinal side effects — bloating, diarrhea, fishy burps, heartburn, nausea, and stomach discomfort — though these tend to be milder than those from fish oil.

Avoid krill oil if you have a shellfish allergy. Astaxanthin is also generally well tolerated but may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, or red-colored stools; higher doses have rarely caused severe stomach pain.

The safety data for all three ingredients during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not sufficient to know whether they're safe — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Hyaluronic Acid Astaxanthin Krill Oil

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?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Astaxanthin, Krill Oil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 839 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.

Double-check this product with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel — krill oil may increase bleeding risk. Also confirm it with diabetes medications, since krill oil may theoretically lower blood sugar.

Additionally, if you take drugs that are broken down by your liver through the CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 pathways — which include many common medications — check before starting, as astaxanthin may theoretically decrease their levels in lab conditions (though this hasn't been proven in people).

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.

Schiff MegaRed Joint Care may be worth considering if you're looking for support with dry eye, though the overall evidence for its other uses is limited or uncertain. Before you start, check with your own doctor or pharmacist to make sure it won't interact with any blood thinners, diabetes medications, or other prescriptions you take — especially if you take high doses or have a bleeding disorder.

If you're pregnant, nursing, or have a shellfish allergy, discuss it with your healthcare provider first.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 22, 2016.

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 Joint Care, straight from the product label.

Brand Schiff MegaRed
Barcode (UPC) 020525104823
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 22, 2016
DSLD ID 64946
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
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 Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
020525104823
IngredientAmount% DV
Cholesterol5 mg1%
Proprietary Blend353 mg--
Hyaluronic Acid0 NP--
Astaxanthin0 NP--
Krill Oil0 NP--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, extra virgin Olive Oil, Glycerin, Water, yellow Beeswax, Red 40, Ethyl Vanillin, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel, Blue 1, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary extract

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.
General Statements

Since 1936

Powerful joint comfort

To open tear here

Faster joint comfort

Small softgel, big joint health benefits

Eco-friendly. Krill is one of earth’s most abundant and sustainable organisms. The harvest of krill is well below conservative international catch guidelines.

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

Item # 629441

Based on a 56-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing improvement in joint comfort according to WOMAC and VAS scores.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Just 1 MegaRed Softgel per day v. 2 Glucosamine & Choindroitin Tablets

One small pill per day

DIRECTIONS: Adults take one (1) softgel daily.

Formula

Omega-3 Krill Oil + Hyaluronic Acid + Astaxanthin

MegaRed Joint Care contains a proprietary formula that combines powerful omega-3 krill oil with hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin.

CONTAINS SHELLFISH (KRILL) AND SOY.

Gelatin is derived from bovine sources.

MADE WITH SUPERBA KRILL OIL

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

MegaRed Joint Care uses 100% pure krill, tiny crustaceans that thrive in the pristine waters of the Antarctic.

MegaRed goes a step further by only sourcing krill from the Antarctic where krill is most abundant. This helps the ecosystem maintain a healthy, sustainable krill population.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,481,072 and 8,524,980 used under license from U.S. Nutraceuticals, LLC

MegaRed Joint Care quickly comforts your joints, helping you do more of the things you enjoy.

A recent human clinical study showed that just one small, easy-to-swallow MegaRed Joint Care softgel per day comforts joints better than Glucosamine and Chondroitin. MegaRed Joint Care begins to provide comfort to your joints in as little as 7 days. And unlike Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets which can be hard to swallow, you just need to take one small MegaRed Joint Care softgel per day.

COMPARE TO GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN Comforts Joints Starts working in Less Than One Week Just 1 Small Softgel Per Day MegaRed Softgel G/C Tablet

2016 RB

Superba is a registered trademark of the Aker Group.

General

061316 3031173

Precautions

CONTAINS SHELLFISH (KRILL) AND SOY.

WARNING: People with shellfish allergy, coagulopathy or taking anticoagulants or other medications should notify their physician and be tested prior to taking dietary supplements.

WARNING: People with shellfish allergy, coagulopathy or taking anticoagulants or other medications should notify their physician and be tested prior to taking dietary supplements. If pregnant, breastfeeding or on prescribed medication, consult your physician before using this product.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Protected with a tamper evident seal. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Seals/Symbols

rb Health Hygiene Home

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place with lid tightly closed.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

See for yourself

Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed

These are the 3 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.

Proprietary Blend

353 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Extra virgin Olive Oil, Glycerin, Water, Yellow Beeswax, Red 40, Ethyl Vanillin, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel, Blue 1, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Joint Care?

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
838Drugs
838 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Krill Oil 208

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Joint Care 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.

Astaxanthin2 drug types · 671 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces cytochrome CYP2B6 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces CYP3A4 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Krill Oil2 drug types · 208 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, krill oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Taking high doses of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can modestly decrease platelet aggregation. Since krill oil also contains these fatty acids, taking high doses of krill oil might also inhibit platelet aggregation. Theoretically, taking high doses of krill oil with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs might increase the risk of bleeding. However, the omega-3 content of krill oil is much lower than that of fish oil.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking krill oil with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some research in animals and humans shows that krill oil might lower blood glucose levels. However, a small study shows that taking krill oil does not reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, most of whom were taking antidiabetes drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Joint Care, from the product label.

Schiff MegaRed

See all Schiff MegaRed products
Name
Reckitt Benckiser
City
Parsippany
State
NJ
ZipCode
07054-0224
Phone Number
1-800-526-6251
Web Address
www.megared.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed: Common Questions

Does Joint Care by Schiff MegaRed interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Joint Care has a known interaction with 838 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Joint Care 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.
Will this supplement help my joint pain or arthritis?
The product facts don't include evidence ratings for joint pain or arthritis, so we can't say whether it works for those conditions based on the data we hold. Talk with your doctor about whether this product is a good fit for your specific situation.
Can I take this if I'm on a blood thinner like warfarin?
Not without checking first with your doctor or pharmacist. Krill oil in this product may theoretically increase bleeding risk with blood thinners — this is a Moderate-severity concern. Your healthcare provider can weigh the benefit against the risk for you personally and monitor you if they clear it.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way for any of the three active ingredients. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing — they can help you decide based on your individual situation.
What are the side effects I might notice?
Krill oil commonly causes mild gastrointestinal effects like bloating, diarrhea, fishy burps, heartburn, nausea, and stomach discomfort — usually milder than those from fish oil. Astaxanthin may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, or red-colored stools. Hyaluronic acid is very well tolerated orally. Headache, tiredness, or dizziness have been reported rarely with krill oil.
Does this contain fish oil or shellfish?
Krill oil is made from krill, a small shellfish-like crustacean, so if you have a shellfish allergy, avoid this product. The inactive ingredients include gelatin and olive oil but not fish oil.
Can I take this with my diabetes medication?
You should check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Krill oil may theoretically lower blood sugar, which could increase the risk of low blood sugar if combined with diabetes drugs — though one small study didn't show this effect in people with type 2 diabetes.

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

Not sure if Joint Care is safe with your meds?

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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.

Joint Care label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Joint Care'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 20 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.

Hyaluronic Acid 4 references
  1. Park Y, Song JS, Choi CY, Yoon KC, Lee HK, Kim HS. A randomized multicenter study comparing 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.3% sodium hyaluronate with 0.05% cyclosporine in the treatment of dry eye. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2017;33(2):66-72. PubMed
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Do Not Use Needle-Free Devices for Injection of Dermal Fillers - FDA Safety Communication. October 8, 2021. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/do-not-use-needle-free-devices-injection
  3. Disphanurat W, Srisantithum B. Efficacy and safety of 0.15% isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol combined with hyaluronic acid vs 0.15% isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol or hyaluronic acid alone in melasma treatment: A randomized evaluator-blind trial. J C PubMed
  4. Humbert P, Mikosinki J, Benchikhi H, Allaert FA. Efficacy and safety of a gauze pad containing hyaluronic acid in treatment of leg ulcers of venous or mixed origin: a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. Int Wound J 2013;10(2):159-66. PubMed

See these in context on the Hyaluronic Acid monograph →

Astaxanthin 3 references
  1. Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, et al. Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled
  2. Kistler, A., Liechti, H., Pichard, L., Wolz, E., Oesterhelt, G., Hayes, A., and Maurel, P. Metabolism and CYP-inducer properties of astaxanthin in man and primary human hepatocytes. Arch.Toxicol. 2002;75(11-12):665-675. PubMed
  3. Choi HD, Youn YK, Shin WG. Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2011;66:363-369. PubMed

See these in context on the Astaxanthin monograph →

Krill Oil 13 references
  1. Leaf A. On the reanalysis of the GISSI-Prevenzione. Circulation 2002;105:1874-5. PubMed
  2. Connor WE. n-3 Fatty acids from fish and fish oil: panacea or nostrum? Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74;415-6. PubMed
  3. Calder PC. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity: pouring oil on troubled waters or another fishy tale? Nutr Res 2001;21:309-41. DOI
  4. Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev 2004;9:420-8.
  5. Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, et al. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Altern Med Rev 2003;8:171-9.
  6. Harris WS, Miller M, Tighe AP, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease risk: clinical and mechanistic perspectives. Atherosclerosis 2008;197:12-24. PubMed
  7. Tandy S, Chung RW, Wat E, et al. Dietary krill oil supplementation reduces hepatic steatosis, glycemia, and hypercholesterolemia in high-fat-fed mice. J Agric Food Chem 10-14-2009;57:9339-45. PubMed
  8. Maki, K. C., Reeves, M. S., Farmer, M., Griinari, M., Berge, K., Vik, H., Hubacher, R., and Rains, T. M. Krill oil supplementation increases plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in overweight and obese men and women. Nutr.R PubMed
  9. Albert BB, Derraik JG, Brennan CM, et al. Supplementation with a blend of krill and salmon oil is associated with increased metabolic risk in overweight men. Am J Clin Nutr 2015;102(1):49-57.
  10. Berge K, Musa-Veloso K, Harwood M, Hoem N, Burri L. Krill oil supplementation lowers serum triglycerides without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults with borderline high or high triglyceride levels. Nutr Res 2014;34(2):126-33. PubMed
  11. Lobraico JM, DiLello LC, Butler AD, Cordisco ME, Petrini JR, Ahmadi R. Effects of krill oil on endothelial function and other cardiovascular risk factors in participants with type 2 diabetes, a randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2015 PubMed
  12. van der Wurff ISM, von Schacky C, Bergeland T, Zeegers MP, Kirschner PA, de Groot RHM. Krill oil supplementation's effect on school grades in typically developing adolescents. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2023;191:102553. PubMed
  13. van der Wurff ISM, von Schacky C, Bergeland T, et al. Effect of 1 year krill oil supplementation on cognitive achievement of Dutch adolescents: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1230. PubMed

See these in context on the Krill Oil 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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