No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Lutein Esters 20 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Lutein Esters 20 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye health, age-related macular degeneration, cataract prevention.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Lutein Esters 20 mg is a straightforward single-ingredient supplement. Lutein esters are a form of lutein, a naturally occurring yellow pigment found in plants and leafy greens.

The product also contains inactive ingredients — sunflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, yellow beeswax, purified water, and carob — that make up the softgel capsule and help your body absorb the lutein.

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 Lutein's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Lutein 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 ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Cataracts — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for lutein esters in eye health is mixed. For age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts, the data suggests it is possibly effective — meaning some evidence supports its use, but more research is needed.

For retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis, the evidence is not strong enough to support that lutein works for these conditions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 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 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lutein at dietary and supplement doses is generally well tolerated. Doses up to 20 mg daily — which is what this product contains — have not caused adverse effects in the data we hold.

That said, while lutein from food is considered safe, the safety data on higher-dose supplements is incomplete. Lutein is naturally present in breast milk, but the safety of taking supplement doses during breastfeeding is not well studied.

The product is rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation overall, but because supplement-level data is limited, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this dose is right for you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lutein

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the lutein esters in this product.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Lutein Esters may be worth considering if you're interested in supporting eye health, especially for AMD or cataracts, though the evidence is still developing. It's generally well tolerated at this dose.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications, confirm with your doctor or pharmacist that this product fits your situation.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 28, 2019.

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 Esters 20 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614019024
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 28, 2019
DSLD ID 202817
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)
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 Esters 20 mg by Swanson, 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
087614019024
IngredientAmount% DV
Lutein Esters20 mg--

Other ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, yellow Beeswax, purified Water, Carob

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

Made in Canada

Eye and vision health 20 mg per softgel

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel per day with food and water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General

SW902 Rev 1 10 08 18

See for yourself

Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Lutein Esters

No known
interactions
20 mg per serving Form: Marigold flower extract

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 Esters monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax, Purified Water, Carob. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Lutein Esters 20 mg. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Lutein Esters 20 mg, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Lutein Esters 20 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Lutein Esters 20 mg. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Lutein Esters 20 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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.
What is lutein esters, and why is it in this supplement?
Lutein esters are a form of lutein, a yellow pigment your eyes naturally contain. This supplement delivers lutein to support eye health, particularly for conditions like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Is this product safe to take every day?
Yes. Lutein at typical supplement doses is generally well tolerated, and the 20 mg dose in this product has not caused adverse effects in the data we hold. You can take it daily, though it's always smart to mention it to your doctor during your regular checkups.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The product is rated likely safe overall for pregnancy and lactation. However, the safety data on supplement-level doses during these times is incomplete. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this dose is right for you.
Does lutein esters actually help prevent cataracts or AMD?
For both cataracts and AMD, the evidence says possibly effective — meaning some research supports its use, but we need more studies to be certain. For other eye conditions listed on the label, the evidence is weaker or doesn't support effectiveness.
Why does this softgel contain sunflower oil and beeswax?
These are inactive ingredients that make up the capsule and help your body absorb the lutein. They're not active components of the supplement itself.

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

Not sure if Lutein Esters 20 mg is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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 Esters 20 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Lutein Esters 20 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lutein Esters 20 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 2 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 →

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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