Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Krill Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitamer Laboratories

Krill Oil label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Krill 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: Moderate

Krill Oil is a dietary supplement by Vitamer Laboratories with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for heart and cholesterol support, high triglycerides, joint pain and inflammation.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.

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Check Your Meds Against Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories

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 13, 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 6 of its 6 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Vitamer Laboratories Krill Oil contains 6 active ingredients. The main one is krill oil itself — a concentrate from Antarctic krill (tiny shrimp-like crustaceans) that's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

You'll also find astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that gives krill its reddish color, plus phospholipids that help your body absorb the fatty acids. The capsule itself, along with glycerin and water, are inactive ingredients that hold everything together.

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: heart, joint, and brain health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Hypertriglyceridemia, Hyperlipidemia, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Age-related cognitive decline — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Krill Oil is rated "Possibly Effective" for Dry eye (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related cognitive decline, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Dry eye, Hyperlipidemia, and more.

The evidence here is mixed. Krill oil is possibly effective for dry eye — some research supports it, though more work is needed.

For everything else on the label — aging skin, Alzheimer disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and cognitive function — the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate it. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the studies aren't robust or complete enough yet to say one way or the other.

Talk with your doctor about what krill oil might realistically do for your specific concern.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Krill Oil Astaxanthin

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.

Krill oil is generally well tolerated at doses up to 4 grams daily. The most common side effects are mild and digestive: bloating, decreased appetite, diarrhea, fishy burps, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, and stomach discomfort.

Headache, tiredness, and dizziness have been reported rarely. The good news is these effects tend to be milder with krill oil than with regular fish oil.

However, avoid krill oil if you have a shellfish allergy, and use caution if you have a bleeding disorder. For pregnancy and breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable safety data.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking krill oil if you're pregnant or nursing — they can weigh the potential benefits and risks for your situation. Astaxanthin specifically should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Krill Oil Astaxanthin

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 2 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.

Before taking this product, check 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 flag it if you take diabetes medications, since krill oil might lower blood sugar further.

If you're on medications broken down by your liver via CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes (a long list including some statins, certain antihistamines, and some cancer drugs), astaxanthin may theoretically reduce their effectiveness, though this hasn't been proven in people yet.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Krill oil may help with dry eye and supplies omega-3 fatty acids, but the evidence for most other uses is thin. The real caution here is medications: blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, and diabetes medications need close attention, and astaxanthin may slow how your body metabolizes certain other drugs.

If you take any prescription medication, check it against this product with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the interaction list is substantial.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 23, 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 Krill Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand Vitamer Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 719985173257
Net contents 30 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 23, 2016
DSLD ID 67592
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
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 Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories, 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)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
719985173257
IngredientAmount% DV
Krill Oil500 mg--
Eicosapentaenoic Acid65 mg--
Docosahexaenoic Acid37.5 mg--
Phospholipids200 mg--
Astaxanthin500 mcg--
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids120 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Glycerin, Water

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Our Krill Oil is from a sustainable and environmentally responsible source, as certified by Friend of the Sea.

Formula

In addition to containing essential omega-3 fatty acids, Krill Oil is high in phospholipids to support heart, joint, and brain health. Krill Oil is one of nature's richest sources of a unique and powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is well-researched for many health benefits.

Marine Lipid Concentrate

General Statements

We guarantee our supplements for potency and purity

Sustainably sourced

Whole body health

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.

Seals/Symbols

FRIEND OF THE SEA

Double Verified Gluten Free

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take one or more softgels daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Formulation

Contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; no wheat, gluten, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

General

VVL 173-30A

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

See for yourself

Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories label

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

Krill 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 Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories

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 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.

Krill Oil

Interacts with
208 drugs
500 mg per serving

Krill oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) bound to phospholipids, which may help absorption. It is most studied for lowering triglyce...

Krill Oil monograph & interactions

Eicosapentaenoic Acid

65 mg per serving

Docosahexaenoic Acid

37.5 mg per serving

Phospholipids

200 mg per serving

Astaxanthin

Interacts with
671 drugs
500 mcg per serving

Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid pigment with strong antioxidant activity in the lab, and it is widely promoted for skin, eye, heart, and exercise...

Astaxanthin monograph & interactions

Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids

120 mg per serving

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

Interaction report

Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Krill 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
838Drugs
838 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Astaxanthin 671
Krill Oil 208

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Krill Oil interact with 838 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 6 ingredients in Krill Oil interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Astaxanthin Krill Oil

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Krill Oil 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
Astaxanthin full monograph & interactions

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
Krill Oil full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Vitamer Laboratories

See all Vitamer Laboratories products
Phone Number
1-888-710-0006
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Krill Oil by Vitamer Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Krill Oil 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?
Krill Oil 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.
Will krill oil upset my stomach?
Many people get mild digestive side effects — bloating, diarrhea, fishy burps, heartburn, nausea. These tend to be less frequent and less severe than with regular fish oil, and most people tolerate it well at typical doses. Taking it with food may help.
Can I take this if I have a shellfish allergy?
No — krill is a shellfish, so avoid this product if you have that allergy. Talk to your doctor about omega-3 alternatives that are safe for you.
Is krill oil safe during pregnancy?
There isn't enough safety data to say yes or no. Talk with your doctor before taking it if you're pregnant — they can give you personalized advice. Astaxanthin specifically should be avoided in pregnancy.
What does this product actually work for?
Krill oil is possibly effective for dry eye based on current research. For aging skin, Alzheimer disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and brain function, the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate — meaning studies haven't been thorough enough to confirm benefit.
Can I take this with my blood thinner?
That's a question for your doctor or pharmacist, not something to decide on your own. Krill oil may increase bleeding risk with drugs like warfarin or aspirin — they need to check your specific situation and monitor you.
What's astaxanthin, and why is it in here?
Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant — it's what makes krill red. It's added for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, though the evidence for specific health claims is still being built.

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.

Krill Oil label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Krill Oil’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Krill Oil

Interacts with 208 drugs

Krill oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) bound to phospholipids, which may help absorption. It is most studied for lowering triglycerides and supporting heart health, but t...

Read the full Krill Oil monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Astaxanthin

Interacts with 671 drugs

Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid pigment with strong antioxidant activity in the lab, and it is widely promoted for skin, eye, heart, and exercise benefits. Early human studies are promis...

Read the full Astaxanthin monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Krill 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 16 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.

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 →

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 →

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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