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

Sea Mussel Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

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

Sea Mussel Extract is a dietary supplement by NOW with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, joint stiffness and mobility.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 Sea Mussel Extract by NOW

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: mussel extract derived from New Zealand green-lipped mussels. The capsule shell and fillers — gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — are inactive ingredients that help deliver the extract.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: joint structure and connective tissue support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint mobility, joint flexibility, cartilage health.
  • The closest evidence on file: New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence isn't established for what this mussel extract is meant to do. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, or exercise-induced muscle soreness.

If you're considering it for one of those purposes, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether the current research supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel

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.

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is generally well tolerated by most people when taken by mouth. The most common side effects are stomach upset — abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea — and they're usually mild.

Rare cases of liver injury (hepatitis) and abnormal liver function have been reported with certain mussel extracts, so if you have liver disease or take medications that affect your liver, mention this product to your pharmacist. Anyone with a shellfish allergy should avoid it entirely.

The safety data doesn't support use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so if you're pregnant or nursing, skip this one and talk with your doctor.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel

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 for this product with any medications we could check. That doesn't mean interactions are impossible — just that none are on file.

Your pharmacist can still review it against your exact medications if you'd like to be certain.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

If you don't have a shellfish allergy and can tolerate mild digestive upset, this product is an option to discuss with your pharmacist — especially if you're looking for support with asthma, ADHD, or muscle soreness, though the evidence is thin. Avoid it if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, allergic to shellfish, or have liver concerns.

Always mention it to your pharmacist before you start.

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 Oct 25, 2012.

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 Sea Mussel Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739032683
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 25, 2012
DSLD ID 14839
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
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 Sea Mussel Extract by NOW, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
733739032683
IngredientAmount% DV
Mussel Extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, 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.
Seals/Symbols

GMP QUALITY ASSURED

Brand IP Statement(s)

NOW(R) Sea Mussel is a specially prepared and freeze dried product. It is cultivated on marine farms, using pollution-free sea water with regular monitoring of both water and shellfish quality.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

SUGGESTED USAGE: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule 1 to 4 times daily with food or on an empty stomach. Consider taking this product in combination with NOW(R) Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Celadrin(R).

Precautions

Warning: Persons with a known allergy to shellfish should not use this product.

General Statements

Green Lipped Sea Mussel Extract is naturally rich in mucopolysaccharides, including chondroitin sulfate A, a naturally occurring component of connective tissue and joint structure in humans and animals.*

Please Recycle.

ACTUAL SIZE

SUPPORTS JOINT FUNCTION • Rich in Mucopolysaccharides • Supports Connective Tissue*

Made in the U.S.A.

Natural color variations may occur in this product.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Formula

Contains shellfish derivative (sea mussel).

Formulation

Contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg or preservatives.

General

CODE 3268 V2

See for yourself

Sea Mussel Extract by NOW label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Sea Mussel Extract by NOW

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

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

Mussel Extract

No known
interactions
500 mg per serving

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a shellfish-derived supplement rich in omega-3 fats that is mostly used for joint pain and arthritis. Some studies...

Mussel Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sea Mussel Extract by NOW Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Sea Mussel Extract. 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 Sea Mussel Extract, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
www.nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sea Mussel Extract by NOW: Common Questions

Does Sea Mussel Extract by NOW interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Sea Mussel Extract. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sea Mussel Extract 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 if I have a shellfish allergy?
No. This is a mussel extract, and anyone with a shellfish allergy should avoid it. Check with your pharmacist or allergist first if you're unsure whether mussel counts as a shellfish allergen for you.
What side effects should I expect?
Most people tolerate it well. The common ones are stomach-related — abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas, and nausea. Serious side effects like liver injury are rare but have been reported, so stop and talk to your pharmacist if you develop jaundice, dark urine, or unexplained fatigue.
Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data to support use during pregnancy, and safety hasn't been established for breastfeeding. If you're pregnant or nursing, skip this product and ask your doctor or pharmacist about safer options.
Does it actually work for asthma, ADHD, or sore muscles?
The evidence isn't there yet to say yes or no. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence for all of those uses. Talk with your pharmacist about whether the research is strong enough for what you're trying to do.
Will this interact with my medications?
No interactions are documented in our data for this product. That doesn't guarantee none exist, though — if you take prescription medications, run them through the checker on this page or mention the product to your pharmacist.

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

Not sure if Sea Mussel Extract is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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.

Sea Mussel Extract label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sea Mussel Extract'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 12 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.

New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 12 references
  1. Miller T, Wu H. In vivo evidence for prostaglandin inhibitory activity in New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract. N Z Med J 1984;97:355-7.
  2. Gibson SLM, Gibson RG. The treatment of arthritis with a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus: a randomised trial. Complement Ther Med 1998;6:122-6.
  3. Gibson RG, Gibson SL, Conway V, Chappell D. Perna canaliculus in the treatment of arthritis. Practitioner 1980;224:955-60.
  4. Fabrin, B. [Possible toxic hepatitis after intake of an alternative preparation]. Ugeskr.Laeger 6-13-1988;150(24):1474-1475.
  5. Gibson, R. G. and Gibson, S. L. Green-lipped mussel extract in arthritis. Lancet 2-21-1981;1(8217):439. PubMed
  6. Ahern, M. J., Milazzo, S. C., and Dymock, R. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 8-9-1980;2(3):151-152. PubMed
  7. Croft, J. E. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 10-4-1980;2(7):401-402. PubMed
  8. Lau, S., Chiu, P. K., Chu, E. M. Y., Cheng, I. Y. W., Tang, W. M., Man, R. Y. K., and Halpern, G. M. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Lyprinol, lipid extract of the green-lipped mussel - a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Progress in Nutrition
  9. Gruenwald, J., Graubaum, H., Hansen, K., and Grube, B. Efficacy and tolerability of a combination of LYPRINOL and high concentrations of EPA and DHA in inflammatory rheumatoid disorders... eicosapentaenoic acid... decosahexaenoid acid. Advances in Therap PubMed
  10. Coulson S, Vecchio P, Gramotnev H, Vitetta L. Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract efficacy in knee osteoarthritis and improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction: a pilot study. Inflammopharmacology 2012;20:71-6. PubMed
  11. Sukumaran S, Pittman KB, Patterson WK, et al. A phase I study to determine the safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) lipid extract, in patients with advanced prostate and breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2010;2 PubMed
  12. Lello J, Liang A, Robinson E, et al. Treatment of children's asthma with a lipid extract of the new Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) (Lyprinol®)-A double blind, randomized controlled trial in children with moderate to serve chronic obstruct

See these in context on the New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 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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