Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by ProCaps

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin 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

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin is a dietary supplement by ProCaps with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for antioxidant support, skin health and aging, eye health.Based on those ingredients, 751 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin Complex. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps

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 Jul 11, 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.
  • “Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (64 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin is a 6-ingredient supplement built around three omega fatty acids — Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid, and Stearidonic Acid — plus a carotenoid blend: astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are the eye-support compounds the product is named for (the "L" and "Z" stand for lutein and zeaxanthin).

The capsule itself is a soft-gelatin shell, which is inactive.

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: Macular and retinal health support.
  • 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).

The evidence for what this supplement does is mixed and limited. Lutein and zeaxanthin both carry ratings of "possibly effective" for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts — the eye conditions they're most commonly used for.

Astaxanthin, by contrast, has insufficient reliable evidence for the six uses we've rated, including age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, and aging skin. The omega fatty acids in the formula have no effectiveness ratings in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin 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 2 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.

Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated in studies, though long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools.

At typical doses (6 mg daily), two people reported increased bowel movements and two reported red stools; at much higher doses (40 mg daily), two patients experienced severe stomach pain. Lutein and zeaxanthin are both generally well tolerated at supplement doses.

For pregnancy, astaxanthin has not been studied enough — the safety data advise against it. Zeaxanthin is rated likely safe in pregnancy, though supplement safety hasn't been well studied.

For breastfeeding, astaxanthin lacks enough data to advise either way, and while zeaxanthin is rated likely safe, concentrated supplement doses haven't been well studied.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin 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?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 752 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 any drug processed through your liver's CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 pathways — a category that includes many blood pressure medications, cholesterol drugs, and immunosuppressants — run it through the checker on this page before you start. If you're on diabetes medication, ask your pharmacist about zeaxanthin, which may theoretically raise the risk of low blood sugar.

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 an eye-health supplement with some evidence behind lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration and cataracts, but astaxanthin's claimed benefits aren't backed by solid research yet. The main caution is drug interactions — astaxanthin may reduce blood levels of many common medications metabolized in the liver.

Check your exact medications with our tool before you start, and talk with your pharmacist if you take any prescription drugs.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2021.

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 Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin, straight from the product label.

Brand ProCaps
Barcode (UPC) 718635
Net contents 240 Easy-To-Swallow Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2021
DSLD ID 248151
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 Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps, 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
240
UPC/BARCODE
718635
IngredientAmount% DV
Gamma-Linolenic Acid8 mg--
Alpha-Linolenic Acid46 mg--
Stearidonic Acid21 mg--
Astaxanthin4 mg--
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids64 mg--
Lutein12 mg--
Zeaxanthin Complex6 mg--

Other ingredients: Soft-Gelatin Capsule

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use Consume one or more capsules daily or as recommended by your physician. For best results take this product with food containing a small amount of fat or oil. This product is most effective when used as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. For questions about the use of this product call 800.332.7799.

Formulation

For over 40 years unsurpassed purity, quality and efficacy 100% solar production Zero carbon footprint

All solar

Optical pigment booster Maximum potency to support Macular and retinal health

Contains no additives or common allergens of any kind

General Statements

We remain uniquely committed to you and the planet. You have my unwavering promise. Andrew Lessman, founder Questions?/reorders? 800.800.1200 www.ProCapsLabs.com www.HSN.com 800.944.9999 www.QVC.com 800.345.1515

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are the optical pigments essential to the healthy function and protection of the retina and its macular region. Astaxanthin is also highly concentrated in the eye where it imparts its unique functional benefits. Together these three essential ingredients work to protect the most fragile tissues of the eye while also promoting a lifetime of healthy vision. None of these vital protective carotenoids can be produced by the body, so their benefits require a food or supplement source, yet sadly, you will not find any meaningful amount of all three in any typical diet or eye formula. Plus, beyond their well-established role in protecting the eye and promoting healthy vision, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Astaxanthin levels in the brain have now been associated with healthy brain and cognitive function, particularly as we age. Lutein and Zeaxanthin's critical role as optical pigments within the eye promotes vision acuity (sharpness of vision), as well as visual processing speed. Zeaxanthin's exceptionally high concentrations in the central retina affords enhanced protection to its macula region. L + Z can also protect the skin, but it is the brain where recent research has shown an association with superior cognitive function, memory and verbal fluency with age. The body cannot make Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Astaxanthin, and the typical American diet provides so little that supplementation remains the only viable option of ensuring the well-established benefits these critical nutrients provide to our eyes, vision and brain.

Always wear UV-protected sunglasses outdoors

Formula

12mg Lutein, 6mg Zeaxanthin 4mg Astaxanthin

Andrew Lessman's Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin is an ultra-high potency blend of three powerful protective carotenoids: Lutein, Zeaxanthin (L+Z) and Astaxanthin. We also add Ahiflower Oil to enhance the efficacy and benefits of this formula.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Ahiflower is a registered trademark of Technology Crops, LLC.

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.

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

See for yourself

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps label

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

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin 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 Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps

These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container240 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.

Astaxanthin

Interacts with
671 drugs
4 mg per serving Form: Haematococcus pluvialis oil

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

64 mg per serving Form: Ahiflower Oil, Buglossoides arvensis
  • › Gamma-Linolenic Acid
  • › Alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • › Stearidonic Acid

Lutein

No known
interactions
12 mg per serving

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 Complex

Interacts with
86 drugs
6 mg per serving

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 Complex monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin?

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
751Drugs
751 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Astaxanthin 671
Zeaxanthin Complex 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin interact with 751 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 6 ingredients in Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Astaxanthin Zeaxanthin Complex

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin 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

Zeaxanthin Complex1 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 Complex full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin, from the product label.

ProCaps

See all ProCaps products
Name
ProCaps Labs
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Phone Number
800.800.1200
Web Address
www.ProCapsLabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps: Common Questions

Does Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin by ProCaps interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin has a known interaction with 751 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin 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.
Is this safe to take while pregnant?
Astaxanthin in this formula hasn't been studied enough in pregnancy — the safety data advise against it. Zeaxanthin is rated likely safe, but supplement safety hasn't been well studied. There isn't enough data on the omega fatty acids either. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you take it.
Is this safe while breastfeeding?
Astaxanthin lacks enough safety data, so the data advise against it. Zeaxanthin is rated likely safe, though concentrated supplement doses haven't been well studied. We don't have pregnancy-or-breastfeeding data on the three omega fatty acids. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Does lutein really help with macular degeneration?
Lutein is rated possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts — those are its strongest uses. The evidence supports it more than the other ingredients in this formula, but it's not a sure thing.
What are these omega fatty acids in here?
They're Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid, and Stearidonic Acid — plant-based fatty acids that some people use for general wellness. We have no effectiveness data on them in our files, so I can't tell you how well they work in this formula.
What side effects should I watch for?
Astaxanthin most commonly causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools. At high doses, some people have had severe stomach pain. Lutein and zeaxanthin are generally well tolerated and haven't shown much in the way of side effects.

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

Not sure if Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin’s Ingredients

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

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 → 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 → 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 →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Maximum L+Z with Astaxanthin'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 9 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.

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 →

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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