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Dietary supplement

Red Orange Complex 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Superior Herbs

Red Orange Complex 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Red Orange Complex 500 mg 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: Major

Red Orange Complex 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Superior Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for vitamin c source, digestive upset, stress and relaxation (aromatherapy).Based on those ingredients, 246 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Red Orange Complex H. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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 Sep 10, 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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: red orange complex, a concentrated form of compounds from sweet orange fruit. Red orange extract delivers the bioactive substances found in orange peel and fruit, though in a more concentrated form than you'd get from eating a whole orange.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Sweet Orange product and its label doesn't state a use — see Sweet Orange's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold on red orange complex's effectiveness for the six purposes listed—pre-procedural anxiety, asthma, prostate cancer, common cold, constipation, and depression—is insufficient to rate. In other words, we don't have reliable data yet showing whether it works for these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sweet Orange

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.

Sweet orange fruit and juice are safe as food for most people when eaten in normal amounts; however, concentrated supplements like this one have not been studied as thoroughly, so use caution. There are rare reports of intestinal cramping in children who ingested large amounts of orange peel.

Pregnancy and lactation data suggests it is likely safe in those states, though as always, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sweet Orange

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sweet Orange.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 246 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 this product, double-check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're on pravastatin or any cholesterol-lowering drug, heart medication like celiprolol, ivermectin, OATP substrates (which include some antihistamines), P-glycoprotein substrates, quinolone antibiotics, or fexofenadine. Red orange has Major or Moderate interactions with these drug types, and absorption or blood levels can shift significantly.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Red orange complex could be worth considering if you're interested in orange fruit compounds and have checked your medications with your pharmacist first—but the interaction profile is substantial. Anyone taking a cholesterol drug, heart medication, antihistamine, antibiotic, antiparasitic, or other prescription should absolutely verify their specific medications before starting this product.

Talk with your own doctor or pharmacist about whether this product makes sense for you.

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 Apr 25, 2018.

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 Red Orange Complex 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Superior Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 087614142562
Net contents 30 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2018
DSLD ID 175732
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614142562
IngredientAmount% DV
Red Orange Complex H500 mg--

Other ingredients: Maltodextrin, Hypromellose, Rice extract, Silica

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

Seals/Symbols

V Vegetarian formula Guaranteed purity & potency

Formulation

V Vegetarian formula

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: This product is not intended for use in children.

Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule per day with water.

General Statements

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

Brand IP Statement(s)

Red Orange Complex is a registered trademark of Bionap SRL.

General

SWH256 Rev 0 06 08 17

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

See for yourself

Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs label

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

Red Orange Complex 500 mg 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 Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs

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

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Red Orange Complex H

Interacts with
246 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Anthocyanins, Ascorbic Acid, Flavanones, Hydroxycinnamic Acids

Sweet orange is a common citrus fruit that is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and is enjoyed as a food worldwide. Its peel and es...

Red Orange Complex H monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Red Orange Complex 500 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
246Drugs
48 Major 198 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Red Orange Complex H 246

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Red Orange Complex 500 mg interact with 246 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Red Orange Complex 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Red Orange Complex H

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Red Orange Complex 500 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.

Red Orange Complex H7 drug types · 246 drugs

Celiprolol (Celicard)

Consuming sweet orange with celiprolol can decrease oral absorption of celiprolol.
A pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that celiprolol levels, after a single dose of 100 mg, are decreased by up to 90% in people who drink sweet orange juice 200 mL three times daily. It's not known if lower consumption of sweet orange juice will have the same effect. Theoretically, this occurs due to short-term inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Ivermectin (Stromectol, Others)

Consuming sweet orange juice with ivermectin can decrease the oral absorption of ivermectin.
A pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that taking ivermectin orally with sweet orange juice 750 mL over 4 hours reduces the bioavailability of ivermectin. This effect does not seem to be related to effects on P-glycoprotein. The effect on ivermectin is more pronounced in males compared to females.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Consuming sweet orange juice can decrease oral absorption of OATP substrates. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
Clinical research shows that consuming sweet orange juice inhibits OATP, which reduces bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP. For example, sweet orange juice decreases bioavailability of fexofenadine, a substrate of OATP, by about 72% and of celiprolol, another OATP substrate, by up to 90%. Since sweet orange juice seems to affect OATP for a short time, recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange juice by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Pravastatin (Pravachol)

Consuming sweet orange juice with pravastatin can increase the absorption of pravastatin.
A small pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers shows that consuming sweet orange juice 800 mL over 3 hours, including before, during, and after taking pravastatin 10 mg, increases pravastatin levels by about 149%, without affecting pravastatin elimination. Theoretically this effect might be due to modulation of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) by sweet orange juice. Sweet orange juice does not seem to affect simvastatin levels, but it is not known if sweet orange affects any of the other statins.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Consuming sweet orange juice with fexofenadine can decrease oral absorption of fexofenadine.
Clinical research shows that coadministration of sweet orange juice 1200 mL decreases bioavailability of fexofenadine by about 72%. In an animal model, sweet orange juice decreased bioavailability of fexofenadine by 31%. Fexofenadine manufacturer data indicates that concomitant administration of sweet orange juice and fexofenadine results in larger wheal and flare sizes in research models. This suggests that sweet orange reduces the clinical response to fexofenadine. Theoretically, this occurs due to short-term inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Recommend separating drug administration and consumption of sweet orange by at least 4 hours.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Sweet orange juice seems to modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which might affect the blood levels of P-gp substrates.
Animal and in vitro research suggest that orange juice extract inhibits drug efflux by P-gp, increasing absorption and levels of P-gp substrates. In contrast, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that drinking large amounts of sweet orange juice decreases absorption and levels of the P-gp substrate celiprolol. This suggests that orange juice actually induces drug efflux by P-gp or affects drug levels by another mechanism such as inhibiting the gut drug transporter called organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Until more is known, sweet orange juice should be used cautiously in people taking P-gp substrates.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Quinolone Antibiotics

Calcium-fortified sweet orange juice might reduce quinolone absorption.
Calcium binds to quinolones in the gut. Theoretically, the calcium in certain fortified orange juices can also bind to quinolone antibiotics and reduce their absorption and levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Red Orange Complex H full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Red Orange Complex 500 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Superior Herbs

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

Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs: Common Questions

Does Red Orange Complex 500 mg by Swanson Superior Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Red Orange Complex 500 mg has a known interaction with 246 medications, including 48 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Red Orange Complex 500 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.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The data we hold suggests red orange is likely safe during pregnancy and lactation, but that's general information—your own situation is unique. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement while pregnant or nursing.
Does red orange actually work for colds, anxiety, asthma, or the other conditions listed?
The evidence we hold on red orange for those uses is insufficient to rate, meaning we don't have reliable data yet showing whether it helps. You may want to ask your doctor if there's stronger evidence outside our data.
Is this product safe if I'm not on any medications?
Red orange fruit and juice are safe as food for most people in normal amounts. This is a concentrated supplement rather than whole fruit, so it hasn't been studied as thoroughly—use caution and watch for any unusual symptoms like stomach cramping.
What exactly is 'red orange complex'?
It's a concentrated extract from sweet orange fruit. It delivers the active compounds found in orange peel and fruit, but in a more potent form than you'd get from eating a fresh orange.
Can I just drink orange juice instead of taking this supplement?
Whole orange fruit and juice are safe as food for most people, but they also carry the same interaction risks with medications—in fact, the interaction data comes from studies on orange juice itself. If you're on medications that interact with orange, this supplement would pose the same concerns.
What if I separate my doses from my medications by a few hours—will that fix the problem?
Separating doses by at least 4 hours helps with OATP substrates, but not all interactions can be managed that way. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise on which of your drugs might be manageable with timing and which ones you should avoid mixing with red orange entirely.

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.

Red Orange Complex 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Red Orange Complex 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Sweet Orange

Interacts with 246 drugs

Sweet orange is a common citrus fruit that is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and is enjoyed as a food worldwide. Its peel and essential oil are used in aromatherapy and...

Read the full Sweet Orange monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Red Orange Complex 500 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 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.

Sweet Orange 17 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. FDA, CFSAN. FDA-approved potassium health claim notification for potassium containing foods. 2000. Available at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/hclm-k.html.
  3. Kurowska EM, Spence JD, Jordan J, et al. HDL-cholesterol-raising effect of orange juice in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1095-100. PubMed
  4. Murry JJ, Healy MD. Drug-mineral interactions: a new responsibility for the hospital dietician. J Am Diet Assoc 1991;91:66-73.
  5. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Munoz C, et al. Reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability by fruit juices. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;69:P21.
  6. Pletz MW, Petzold P, Allen A, et al. Effect of calcium carbonate on bioavailability of orally administered gemifloxacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003;47:2158-60.. PubMed
  7. Lilja JJ, Juntti-Patinen L, Neuvonen PJ. Orange juice substantially reduces the bioavailability of the beta-adrenergic-blocking agent celiprolol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004;75:184-90.
  8. Tian R, Koyabu N, Takanaga H, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice and orange juice on the intestinal efflux of P-glycoprotein substrates. Pharm Res 2002;19:802-9. PubMed
  9. Vanapalli SR, Chen Y, Ellingrod VL, et al. Orange juice decreases the oral bioavailability of ivermectin in health volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73 (Abstract PDII-A-10):P94.
  10. Huang SM, Lesko LJ. Drug-drug, drug-dietary supplement, and drug-citrus fruit and other food interactions: what have we learned? J Clin Pharmacol 2004;44:559-69. PubMed
  11. Koitabashi Y, Kumai T, Matsumoto N, et al. Orange juice increased the bioavailability of pravastatin, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor, in rats and healthy human subjects. Life Sci 2006;78:2852-9. PubMed
  12. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Yamada S, et al. Polymethoxylated flavones in orange juice are inhibitors of P-glycoprotein but not cytochrome P450 3A4. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000;293:230-6. DOI
  13. Greenblatt DJ. Analysis of drug interactions involving fruit beverages and organic anion-transporting polypeptides. J Clin Pharmacol 2009;49:1403-7. PubMed
  14. Bailey DG. Fruit juice inhibition of uptake transport: a new type of food-drug interaction. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2010;70:645-55. PubMed
  15. Kamath AV, Yao M, Zhang Y, Chong S. Effect of fruit juices on the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine in rats. J Pharm Sci 2005;94:233-9. PubMed
  16. Kays MB, Overholser BR, Mueller BA, et al. Effects of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium acetate on the oral bioavailability of ciprofloxacin. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42(6):1253-9. PubMed
  17. Neuhofel, A. L., Wilton, J. H., Victory, J. M., Hejmanowsk, L. G., and Amsden, G. W. Lack of bioequivalence of ciprofloxacin when administered with calcium-fortified orange juice: a new twist on an old interaction. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002;42(4):461-466. DOI

See these in context on the Sweet Orange 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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