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Dietary supplement

Lutein 6 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Carlson

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Lutein 6 mg is a dietary supplement by Carlson with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye health, age-related macular degeneration, cataract prevention.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Zeaxanthin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lutein 6 mg by Carlson

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

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This softgel contains 2 active ingredients: lutein and zeaxanthin, both plant pigments concentrated in the eye. The capsule itself is made from sunflower oil, a softgel shell, and beeswax.

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: healthy vision and eye function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Asthenopia (eye strain), Cataracts, Central serous retinopathy, Choroideremia, Diabetic retinopathy — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lutein is rated "Possibly Effective" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lutein is rated "Possibly Effective" for Cataracts.
  • Also on file: Zeaxanthin is rated "Possibly Effective" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Lutein is possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts — the eye conditions most people take it for. For other conditions the data shows it as possibly ineffective or lacking reliable evidence, we don't have strong support for those uses.

Zeaxanthin is possibly effective for AMD as well, but for conditions like cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, and breast cancer, the evidence we hold isn't established enough to say either way.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lutein Zeaxanthin

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 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.

Both lutein and zeaxanthin are generally well tolerated at typical supplement doses. Lutein at doses up to 20 mg daily hasn't caused adverse effects in trials.

For pregnancy and breastfeeding, both ingredients are rated likely safe, though the data on concentrated supplement doses (rather than food sources) is limited — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your particular situation if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lutein Zeaxanthin

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 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Zeaxanthin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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.

Check any antidiabetes medications (pills or insulin) you take before starting — zeaxanthin may theoretically increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with them. If you're on diabetes medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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.

This is a straightforward lutein-and-zeaxanthin combination for eye health, especially AMD and cataracts. If you take any diabetes medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure zeaxanthin won't affect your blood sugar control.

Otherwise, it's generally well tolerated and safe for most adults.

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 May 19, 2022.

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 Lutein 6 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Carlson
Barcode (UPC) 088395086526
Net contents 180 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 265649
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 Lutein 6 mg by Carlson, 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
180
UPC/BARCODE
088395086526
IngredientAmount% DV
Lutein6 mg--
Zeaxanthin1 mg--

Other ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Softgel Shell, Beeswax

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Healthy Vision Eye Function Antioxidant

Potency & Quality Guaranteed An FDA Regulated Facility

Color variations may occur.

Gluten-free No artificial preservatives

General Statements

180 Servings

Brand IP Statement(s)

Providing the highest quality nutritional supplements since 1965

Lutemax is a registered trademark of OmniActive Health Technologies LTD

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Adults: take one soft gel daily at mealtime.

Formula

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that give fruits and vegetables their yellow and red pigments. They're found in high amounts in the retina's macular region, an area vital to vision health. Studies suggest high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in eye tissue are associated with healthy vision. Carlson Lutein is formulated with Lutemax 2020.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Lutein 6 mg by Carlson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Lutein 6 mg by Carlson

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 Servings per container180 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.

Lutein

No known
interactions
6 mg per serving Form: Marigolds

Lutein is a plant-based antioxidant pigment that concentrates in the eye, and the best evidence suggests it (often combined with zeaxanthin) may help...

Lutein monograph & interactions

Zeaxanthin

Interacts with
86 drugs
1 mg per serving Form: Marigolds

Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that, along with lutein, concentrates in the macula of the eye and may help support long-term eye health. The stron...

Zeaxanthin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Softgel Shell, Beeswax. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Lutein 6 mg by Carlson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Lutein 6 mg?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Lutein 6 mg 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.

Zeaxanthin1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking zeaxanthin with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In an animal diabetic model, zeaxanthin has hypoglycemic effects. However, population research has found that increasing intake of dietary zeaxanthin plus lutein does not decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Lutein 6 mg, from the product label.

Carlson

See all Carlson products
Name
Carlson Division of J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc.
City
Arlington Heights
State
IL
ZipCode
60004
Phone Number
888-234-5656
Web Address
carlsonlabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lutein 6 mg by Carlson: Common Questions

Does Lutein 6 mg by Carlson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Lutein 6 mg has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Lutein 6 mg contains 2 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 help my cataracts or macular degeneration?
Lutein is possibly effective for both age-related macular degeneration and cataracts — meaning there's some evidence it may help, but it's not conclusive. Zeaxanthin is also possibly effective for AMD. Talk with your eye doctor about whether this supplement makes sense as part of your care plan.
Is it safe to take while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Both lutein and zeaxanthin are rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation. That said, the safety data on concentrated supplement doses (rather than food) is limited, so check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice tailored to your situation.
What are lutein and zeaxanthin, exactly?
They're plant pigments naturally concentrated in your eyes, particularly in the retina. Your body can't make them, so you get them from diet — leafy greens, egg yolks, corn — or supplements like this one.
Can I take this if I'm on diabetes medication?
You'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Zeaxanthin may theoretically raise the risk of low blood sugar when combined with antidiabetes drugs, so it's worth confirming your specific medications are okay with this supplement.
Are there any side effects?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are generally well tolerated. Lutein at doses up to 20 mg daily hasn't caused adverse effects in trials, and no adverse effects have been reported for zeaxanthin at typical supplement amounts.

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

Not sure if Lutein 6 mg 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.

Lutein 6 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lutein 6 mg'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 6 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.

Lutein 2 references
  1. Brown L, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:517-24. PubMed
  2. Chasan-Taber L, Willett WC, Seddon JM, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and risk of cataract extraction in US women. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:509-16. PubMed

See these in context on the Lutein monograph →

Zeaxanthin 4 references
  1. Montonen J, Knekt P, Jarvinen R, Reunanen A. Dietary antioxidant intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004;27:362-6. PubMed
  2. Leermakers ET, Darweesh SK, Baena CP, et al. The effects of lutein on cardiometabolic health across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 2016;103(2):481-94. PubMed
  3. Kou L, Du M, Zhang C, Dai Z, Li X, Zhang B. The Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, and Anti-Diabetic Nephritic Activities of Zeaxanthin in Diet-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2017;182(3):944-955. PubMed
  4. Xu X, Zhao X, Berde Y, Low YL, Kuchan MJ. Milk and Plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin Concentrations in Chinese Breast-Feeding Mother-Infant Dyads With Healthy Maternal Fruit and Vegetable Intake. J Am Coll Nutr 2019;38(2):179-184. PubMed

See these in context on the Zeaxanthin 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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