Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

MicroChitosan Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NutriCology

MicroChitosan label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
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 MicroChitosan 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

MicroChitosan is a dietary supplement by NutriCology with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for weight management, lowering cholesterol, wound care.Based on those ingredients, 3 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Chitosan. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against MicroChitosan by NutriCology

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of MicroChitosan by NutriCology

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

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 0 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1.80 Gram(s)) without saying how much of each component you get.

MicroChitosan contains 2 active ingredients: chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide (a smaller form of chitosan). Chitosan is a fiber derived from shellfish shells; it's thought to work by binding to fats and cholesterol in your digestive tract so your body doesn't absorb them as efficiently.

The product also includes inactive ingredients like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ascorbic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, and L-leucine, which serve as capsule material, preservative, and flow agents.

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: nutrient supplement with chitosan oligosaccharide.
  • We looked for evidence on: Hypercholesterolemia, Obesity, Wound healing, Minor bleeding, cholesterol management, weight management — and 1 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Chitosan is rated "Possibly Effective" for Obesity (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Chitosan is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hypercholesterolemia, Minor bleeding, Wound healing.

The evidence for chitosan shows it's possibly effective for weight management and postoperative recovery — meaning there's some supporting research, but we'd like to see more. It's also possibly effective for high blood pressure.

For Crohn disease and dry eye, the evidence isn't established well enough for us to rate it. If you're considering this for one of these uses, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether the current research fits your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Chitosan

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.

Chitosan is generally well tolerated in the short term, though quality safety evidence is limited. The most common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, gas, stomach discomfort, and nausea.

Some people have reported dry throat or excessive fat in the stool. If you have a shellfish allergy, be cautious — chitosan comes from shellfish shells, and allergy is a real concern.

Do not use this product during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; there isn't enough safety data to know it's okay.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Chitosan

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 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Chitosan.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 3 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 you take MicroChitosan, double-check if you're on warfarin (a blood thinner) or acyclovir (an antiviral for herpes) — both Moderate-severity interactions are documented. If you take either of these, your pharmacist needs to review this with you.

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.

MicroChitosan may help with weight, blood pressure, or recovery after surgery if the early evidence holds up for you. If you take warfarin or acyclovir, check with your pharmacist first — this product can interfere with both.

Anyone allergic to shellfish should avoid it, and it's not appropriate during pregnancy or nursing.

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 Sep 25, 2020.

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 MicroChitosan, straight from the product label.

Brand NutriCology
Barcode (UPC) 713947559905
Net contents 60 Vegicap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2020
DSLD ID 235492
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
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 MicroChitosan by NutriCology, 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:
3 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
20
UPC/BARCODE
713947559905
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend1.8 Gram(s)--
Chitosan0 NP--
Chitosan Oligosaccharide0 NP--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, L-Leucine

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.
Formula

MicroChitosan contains chitosan oligosaccharide, which has a much smaller molecular size than chitosan.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use As a dietary supplement, 1 to 3 capsules on an empty stomach, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

Warning: Avoid this product if you are allergic to shellfish, pregnant, or lactating.

Warning: Avoid this product if you are allergic to shellfish, pregnant, or lactating.

Long-term use may reduce absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.

Contains: Shellfish.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place, tightly capped.

General Statements

NutriCology Innovative Nutrition

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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

See for yourself

MicroChitosan by NutriCology label

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

MicroChitosan 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 MicroChitosan by NutriCology

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container20 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

1.8 Gram(s) per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, L-Leucine. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

MicroChitosan by NutriCology Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against MicroChitosan?

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
3Drugs
3 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Chitosan 3

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in MicroChitosan interact with 3 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in MicroChitosan interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Chitosan

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in MicroChitosan 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.

Chitosan2 drug types · 3 drugs

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

Chitosan can reduce the absorption of acyclovir, potentially increasing the risk for treatment failure.
Clinical research in humans shows that taking chitosan along with acyclovir 200 mg reduces acyclovir absorption. Concomitant administration of chitosan 400 mg or 1000 mg reduced the acyclovir area under the curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration by about 30% and 40%, respectively, compared with control. Concomitant administration with chitosan 1000 mg also increased time to peak concentration from 1 hour to 2 hours. In vitro research suggests that the mechanism for reduced absorption is due to acyclovir entrapment in chitosan-mucus complexes, which reduces intestinal absorption.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, chitosan might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
In a case report, a patient taking warfarin had a significantly increased international normalized ratio (INR) after starting chitosan 1200 mg daily. The INR normalized after chitosan was discontinued and vitamin K was administered. The patient once again started taking chitosan and again had a significant increase in INR. The INR stabilized again once chitosan was discontinued. Researchers theorize that this interaction might occur because chitosan decreases absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K, which could increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Chitosan full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

NutriCology

See all NutriCology products
Name
NutriCology
City
South Salt Lake
State
UT
ZipCode
84115
Phone Number
800.545.9960
Web Address
www.nutricology.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

MicroChitosan by NutriCology: Common Questions

Does MicroChitosan by NutriCology interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, MicroChitosan has a known interaction with 3 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
MicroChitosan 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.
Can I take this if I'm allergic to shellfish?
You should be cautious. Chitosan is made from shellfish shells, and shellfish allergy is a real concern. If you have a shellfish allergy, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you take this product — they can help you decide if it's safe for you.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones are constipation, diarrhea, gas, stomach discomfort, and nausea. Some people report dry throat or excessive fat in the stool. Most of these happen at the start and tend to be mild in short-term use.
Will this help me lose weight?
The evidence says chitosan is possibly effective for weight management — meaning there's research support, but it's not definitive. It won't work like a prescription weight-loss drug; it's meant to reduce fat absorption in your gut. Talk with your doctor or dietitian about whether it fits your overall plan.
Can I take this during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data to know whether it's okay during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the advice is to avoid it. If you're pregnant or nursing and thinking about chitosan, talk with your obstetrician or pediatrician.
How long should I take this?
The safety data we have is for short-term use. We don't have solid information on what happens with long-term daily dosing, so talk with your pharmacist about how long it's reasonable to try this and when to check in about whether it's working for you.

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

Not sure if MicroChitosan 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.

MicroChitosan label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind MicroChitosan’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Chitosan

Interacts with 3 drugs

Chitosan is a fiber-like substance made from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish, often marketed for weight loss and cholesterol. The evidence for these benefits is weak, and an...

Read the full Chitosan monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

MicroChitosan'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 17 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.

Chitosan 17 references
  1. Jing SB, Li L, Ji D, et al. Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with chronic renal failure. J Pharm Pharmacol 1997;49:721-3. PubMed
  2. Pittler MH, Abbot NC, Harkness EF, Ernst E. Randomized, double-blind trial of chitosan for body weight reduction. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999;53:379-81. PubMed
  3. Ho SC, Tai ES, Eng PH, et al. In the absence of dietary surveillance, chitosan does not reduce plasma lipids or obesity in hypercholesterolaemic obese Asian subjects. Singapore Med J 2001;42:6-10.
  4. Bokura H, Kobayashi S. Chitosan decreases total cholesterol in women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:721-5. PubMed
  5. Mhurchu CN, Poppitt SD, McGill AT, et al. The effect of the dietary supplement, Chitosan, on body weight: a randomised controlled trial in 250 overweight and obese adults. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2004;28:1149-56. PubMed
  6. Huang SS, Sung SH, Chiang CE. Chitosan potentiation of warfarin effect. Ann Pharmacother 2007;41:1912-4. PubMed
  7. Tsai, G. J. and Su, W. H. Antibacterial activity of shrimp chitosan against Escherichia coli. J Food Prot. 1999;62(3):239-243. PubMed
  8. Wuolijoki, E., Hirvela, T., and Ylitalo, P. Decrease in serum LDL cholesterol with microcrystalline chitosan. Methods Find.Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1999;21(5):357-361. PubMed
  9. Nelson, J. L., Alexander, J. W., Gianotti, L., Chalk, C. L., and Pyles, T. Influence of dietary fiber on microbial growth in vitro and bacterial translocation after burn injury in mice. Nutrition 1994;10(1):32-36.
  10. Schiller RN, Barrager E, Schauss EA, and et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examining the effects of a rapidly soluble chitosan dietary supplement on weight loss and body composition in overweight and mildly obese individuals. J
  11. Koide, S. S. Chitin-chitosan: properties, benefits and risks. Nutrition Research 1998;8(6):1091-1101. DOI
  12. Maezaki Y, Tsuji K, Nakawa, and et al. Hypocholesterolaemic effect of chitosan in adult males. Biosc Biochem Biotech 1993;57:1439-1444.
  13. Kubbinga M, Nguyen MA, Staubach P, et al. The influence of chitosan on the oral bioavailability of acyclovir-a comparative bioavailability study in humans. Pharm Res 2015;32(7):2241-9. PubMed
  14. Jull AB, Ni Mhurchu C, Bennett DA, et al. Chitosan for overweight or obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;(3):CD003892. PubMed
  15. Schmidl D, Werkmeister R, Kaya S, et al. A Controlled, Randomized Double-Blind Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Chitosan-N-Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2017;33(5):375-382.
  16. Moraru C, Mincea MM, Frandes M, Timar B, Ostafe V. A meta-analysis on randomised controlled clinical trials evaluating the effect of the dietary supplement chitosan on weight loss, lipid parameters and blood pressure. Medicina (Kaunas). 2018;54(6):109. PubMed
  17. García MA, Hensler G, Al-Gousous J, Pielenhofer J, Wagner M, Lennernäs H, Langguth P. Novel food drug interaction mechanism involving acyclovir, chitosan and endogenous mucus. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2023;49:100491. PubMed

See these in context on the Chitosan 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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