Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Lutein Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Lutein label
See full label image
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 Lutein 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

Lutein is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and macular health, age-related macular degeneration (amd), protection from blue light.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.

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Check Your Meds Against Lutein by Nature's Sunshine

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Lutein by Nature's Sunshine — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lutein by Nature's Sunshine

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 20, 2026

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 1 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (185 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product has 3 active ingredients: zeaxanthin, hibiscus, and lutein, delivered in a proprietary blend. Zeaxanthin and lutein are carotenoid pigments known for concentrating in the eye's macula (the part responsible for sharp central vision).

Hibiscus is an herbal ingredient; its role in this formula isn't specified in the product data. The capsule also contains maltodextrin as an inactive filler.

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: eye health and macular protection.
  • 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).

Zeaxanthin is possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Lutein is also possibly effective for AMD and for cataracts.

Both ingredients are rated possibly ineffective for retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. For age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, the evidence for zeaxanthin is insufficient to rate.

Hibiscus's role in eye health isn't established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Zeaxanthin Lutein

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.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are generally well tolerated at typical supplement doses — doses of lutein up to 20 mg daily haven't produced adverse effects in trials. Both ingredients are rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation, though the data on concentrated supplement doses (rather than food sources) is limited.

The safety notes advise caution with supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding and recommend checking with your doctor, since food amounts are well studied but high-dose supplements are not. We hold no safety data for hibiscus.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Zeaxanthin Lutein

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.

If you take antidiabetes drugs (like metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, or others), check with your pharmacist or doctor first — zeaxanthin may increase the risk of low blood sugar. We could not check hibiscus for interactions, so mention all three ingredients when you verify your medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This formula targets eye health, particularly age-related macular degeneration, with zeaxanthin and lutein — both rated possibly effective. The main caution is a Moderate interaction with diabetes medications that could lower your blood sugar further.

If you take antidiabetes drugs, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before adding this supplement. Pregnant or nursing?

Check with your healthcare provider about supplement dosing, since the safety data on concentrated forms is still being gathered.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 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, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904018556
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 278162
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses 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 Lutein by Nature's Sunshine, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
099904018556
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend185 mg--
Zeaxanthin0 NP--
Hibiscus0 NP--
Lutein10 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Maltodextrin

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 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.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Formula

The Lutein and zeaxanthin in this herbal formula are sourced from marigold petals. These potent ingredients protect the eye from oxidative damage and help support macular function.

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Formulation

Herbal eye health support Protects the Macula against damaging blue light

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 1 capsule with a meal twice daily.

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

See for yourself

Lutein by Nature's Sunshine label

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

Lutein 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 Lutein by Nature's Sunshine

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 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

185 mg per serving

Lutein

No known
interactions
10 mg per serving Form: Marigold

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

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

Interaction report

Lutein by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Lutein?

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

Zeaxanthin 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Lutein interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 3 ingredients in Lutein interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Zeaxanthin

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Lutein 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
Zeaxanthin full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lutein by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Lutein by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Lutein 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 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 help my cataracts?
Lutein is rated possibly effective for cataracts based on the evidence we hold. That said, possibly effective means the evidence is promising but not conclusive — talk to your eye doctor about whether this supplement fits your treatment plan.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Both lutein and zeaxanthin are rated likely safe in pregnancy, but the safety data is stronger for food sources than for concentrated supplements. There isn't enough data to know for certain, so check with your doctor before starting — they know your full health picture and can give you personalized advice.
Is this safe to take while breastfeeding?
Lutein is naturally present in breast milk, and zeaxanthin is rated likely safe during lactation. However, the safety data on higher supplement doses isn't well studied, so use caution and talk it over with your pharmacist or doctor.
What does zeaxanthin do?
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that concentrates in the macula of your eye — the central part responsible for sharp vision. It's possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of vision loss in older adults.
Are there any side effects?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are generally well tolerated at typical doses, with no adverse effects reported in trials at doses up to 20 mg daily. We don't have adverse-effect data for hibiscus.

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.

Lutein label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Lutein’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Zeaxanthin

Interacts with 86 drugs

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 strongest evidence relates to slowing progres...

Read the full Zeaxanthin monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Lutein

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

Read the full Lutein monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lutein'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.

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 →

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 →

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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