Selenium 50 mcg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Selenium 50 mcg 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
Selenium 50 mcg is a dietary supplement by The Vitamin Shoppe with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for thyroid health support, antioxidant support, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 321 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Selenium. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: selenium at 50 micrograms per tablet. Selenium is an essential mineral your body needs for thyroid function, immune support, and protection against cell damage.
The tablet also includes inactive ingredients—dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, purified water, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and polyethylene glycol—which serve as fillers, binders, and capsule material.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
Selenium is likely effective for treating selenium deficiency. It's possibly effective for Kashin-Beck disease (a joint condition linked to low selenium), autoimmune thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), and pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy).
The evidence suggests it's ineffective for dyslipidemia (high blood lipids).
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
At recommended doses, selenium is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects from oral use are gastric discomfort, headache, and rash.
However, excess selenium can be toxic—amounts beyond the daily upper limit of 400 mcg may cause hair loss, skin inflammation, fatigue, nail changes, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Rare but serious cases of multi-organ failure have been reported with very high intake.
Chronic high-dose exposure carries a theoretical risk of nerve damage. A large clinical trial also found that selenium supplementation increased risk of squamous cell skin cancer in people at high risk.
For pregnancy, the data is mixed—it's possibly safe but also possibly unsafe, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this dose is right for you during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, it appears possibly safe.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Double-check this product before taking it if you use blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or others)—selenium may increase bleeding risk. Also verify it with your doctor if you take immune-suppressing drugs, barbiturate sedatives, oral contraceptives, or niacin supplements.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This product makes sense for people with a confirmed selenium deficiency or those considering it for thyroid support or certain conditions like pre-eclampsia. If you take blood thinners, barbiturates, immunosuppressants, or warfarin, check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting it.
Stay within the recommended dose and the 400 mcg daily upper limit to avoid toxicity. Talk it over with your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any regular medications.
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 21, 2017.
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
General information
Key facts about Selenium 50 mcg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | The Vitamin Shoppe |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 766536010363 |
| Net contents | 100 Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Oct 21, 2017 |
| DSLD ID | 79691 |
| Product type | Mineral |
| Supplement form | Tablet Or Pill |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free |
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 Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Selenium | 50 mcg | 90% |
Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, purified Water, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyethylene Glycol
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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
Antioxidant Cellular health Mineral
Actual size
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Formulation
Gluten free Dairy free Soy free Nut free
Does Not Contain: Corn, wheat, gluten, sugar, salt, soy, dairy, citrus, fish, animal derivatives, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.
Seals/Symbols
V Suitable for most vegetarians
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) tablet daily, preferably with a meal.
Precautions
Warning: Consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have any medical conditions.
Keep out of reach of children.
Tamper evident Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.
Visit www.vitaminshoppe.com or call 1-800-223-1216 for more information and to reorder.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
General
Item No. VS-1036 1035622 FR 1
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.
Selenium
Interacts with321 drugs
Selenium is an essential trace mineral your body needs in small amounts for thyroid function, antioxidant defense, and immune health. Most people who...
Selenium monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Purified Water, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyethylene Glycol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe interacts with several medication types, most seriously with blood thinners (anticoagulants) and antiplatelet drugs.
Selenium may increase bleeding risk when combined with these medications by enhancing antiplatelet effects.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Other moderate-severity interactions exist with immune-suppressing drugs (which selenium may weaken), barbiturate sedatives (which selenium might prolong), and warfarin specifically (a blood thinner that selenium may interfere with through multiple pathways). Additionally, selenium carries minor interactions with birth control pills—which may raise your selenium levels—and niacin, where selenium might reduce niacin's beneficial effect on HDL (good cholesterol).
Altogether, these interactions span 321 individual medications. Before starting this product, check your exact medications with the search tool on this page or run them by your own doctor or pharmacist.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Selenium 50 mcg?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Selenium 50 mcg interact with 321 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Selenium 50 mcg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Selenium
AnisindioneMiradon
How Anisindione interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Anisindione interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Antithrombin Iii interactionAntithymocyte GlobulinThymoglobulin
How Antithymocyte Globulin interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, selenium supplementation may reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Selenium + Antithymocyte Globulin interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Apixaban interactionAprobarbital, Butabarbital, PhenobarbitalTriple Barbital
How Aprobarbital, Butabarbital, Phenobarbital interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumBarbiturates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, selenium might prolong the sedating effects of barbiturates.
Read the full Selenium + Aprobarbital, Butabarbital, Phenobarbital interactionArgatrobanArgatroban
How Argatroban interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Argatroban interactionAspirinAngettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia +8 more
How Aspirin interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin interactionAspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3
How Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAspirin, ButalbitalAxotal
How Aspirin, Butalbital interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs, Barbiturates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Butalbital interactionAspirin, Butalbital, CaffeineFiorinal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateFiorinal w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, PhenacetinMarnal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interactionAspirin, CaffeineAnacin
How Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateAnacin w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine BitartrateSynalgos DC
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Dover's PwdAcedoval, Dovacet
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's Pwd interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's Pwd interactionAspirin, Caffeine, HydrocodoneDamason-P
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, PhenacetinLanorinal
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, Phenacetin interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, Phenacetin interactionAspirin, Caffeine, OrphenadrineInvagesic, Invagesic Forte, Norgesic, Norgesic Forte, Orphengesic, Orphengesic Forte
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Orphenadrine interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Orphenadrine interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Phenacetin, PropoxypheneMargesic Comp. 65
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Phenacetin, Propoxyphene interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Caffeine, Phenacetin, Propoxyphene interactionAspirin, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium OxideBufferin
How Aspirin, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide interactionAspirin, CarisoprodolSoma Compound
How Aspirin, Carisoprodol interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Carisoprodol interactionAspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine PhosphateSoma Compound w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineAlka-Seltzer Plus Cold
How Aspirin, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAspirin, Citric Acid, Sodium BicarbonateAlka-Seltzer Pain Reliever and Antacid
How Aspirin, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate interactionAspirin, Codeine PhosphateAspirin w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Codeine Phosphate, MethocarbamolRobaxisal C
How Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Methocarbamol interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Methocarbamol interactionAspirin, Codeine Phosphate, PhenobarbitalPhenaphen
How Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Phenobarbital interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs, Barbiturates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Phenobarbital interactionAspirin, Diphenhydramine, PhenylpropanolamineAlka Seltzer Plus Night Time Effervescent
How Aspirin, Diphenhydramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Diphenhydramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAspirin, DipyridamoleAggrenox, Asasantin Retard
How Aspirin, Dipyridamole interacts with Selenium 50 mcg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
SeleniumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Selenium + Aspirin, Dipyridamole interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Selenium 50 mcg 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.
Selenium
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs
Selenium may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Clinical research suggests that taking selenium 10 mcg/kg/day can increase bleeding times by increasing prostacyclin production, which inhibits platelet activity. Other clinical research suggests that taking selenium 75 mcg daily, in combination with ascorbic acid 600 mg, alpha-tocopherol 300 mg, and beta-carotene 27 mg, reduces platelet aggregation.
Barbiturates
Theoretically, selenium might prolong the sedating effects of barbiturates.
Laboratory research suggests that selenium can inhibit the hepatic metabolism of barbiturates. Selenium seems to prolong the sedative effect of pentobarbital in animal models.
Immunosuppressants
Theoretically, selenium supplementation may reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressant therapy.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggests that selenium may stimulate the immune system.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Theoretically, selenium might interfere with warfarin activity.
Animal research suggests that selenium can increase warfarin activity. Selenium might interact with warfarin by displacing it from albumin binding sites, reducing its metabolism in the liver, or by decreasing production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Selenium can also prolong bleeding times in humans by increasing prostacyclin production, which inhibits platelet activity.
Contraceptive Drugs
Contraceptive drugs might increase levels of selenium, although the clinical significance of this effect is unclear.
Some research suggests that oral contraceptives increase serum selenium levels in women taking oral contraceptives; however, other research shows no change in selenium levels. It is suggested that an increase could be due to increased carrier proteins, indicating a redistribution of selenium rather than a change in total body selenium.
Niacin
Selenium might reduce the beneficial effects of niacin on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.
A combination of niacin and simvastatin (Zocor) effectively raises HDL cholesterol levels in patients with coronary disease and low HDL levels. Clinical research shows that taking a combination of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium) along with niacin and simvastatin (Zocor) attenuates this rise in HDL, specifically the HDL-2 and apolipoprotein A1 fractions, by more than 50% in patients with coronary disease. It is not known whether this adverse effect is due to a single antioxidant such as selenium, or to the combination. It also is not known whether it will occur in other patient populations.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Selenium 50 mcg, from the product label.
The Vitamin Shoppe
See all The Vitamin Shoppe products- Name
- Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
- City
- Secaucus
- State
- NJ
- ZipCode
- 07094
- Phone Number
- 1-800-223-1216
- Web Address
- www.vitaminshoppe.com
Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe: Common Questions
Does Selenium 50 mcg by The Vitamin Shoppe interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What is selenium used for?
Can I take this if I'm on warfarin or blood thinners?
What are the side effects of selenium?
Is it safe to take during pregnancy?
Can I take this with my birth control?
Why is the dose only 50 mcg—isn't that low?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Selenium 50 mcg is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind Selenium 50 mcg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Selenium 50 mcg'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 36 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.
Selenium 36 references
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309069351/html/.
- Brown BG, Zhao XQ, Chait A, et al. Simvastatin and niacin, antioxidant vitamins, or the combination for the prevention of coronary disease. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1583-93. DOI
- Trafikowska U, Zachara BA, Wiacek M, et al. Selenium supply and glutathione peroxidase activity in breastfed Polish infants. Acta Paediatr 1996;85:1143-5. PubMed
- Duffield-Lillico AJ, Slate EH, Reid ME, et al. Selenium supplementation and secondary prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer in a randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst 2003;95:1477-81.. PubMed
- Cheung MC, Zhao XQ, Chait A, et al. Antioxidant supplements block the response of HDL to simvastatin-niacin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001;21:1320-6. PubMed
- Schiavon R, Freeman GE, Guidi GC, et al. Selenium enhances prostacyclin production by cultured endothelial cells: possible explanation for increased bleeding times in volunteers taking selenium as a dietary supplement. Thromb Res 1984;34:389-96. PubMed
- Davila JC, Edds GT, Osuna O, Simpson CF. Modification of the effects of aflatoxin B1 and warfarin in young pigs given selenium. Am J Vet Res 1983;44:1877-83. DOI
- Heese HD, Lawrence MA, Dempster WS, Pocock F. Reference concentrations of serum selenium and manganese in healthy nulliparas. S Afr Med J 1988;73:163-5.
- Lloyd B, Lloyd RS, Clayton BE. Effect of smoking, alcohol and other factors on the selenium status of a healthy population. J Epidemiol Commun Health 1983;37:213-7. PubMed
- Capel ID, Jenner M, Williams DC, et al. The effect of prolonged oral contraceptive steroid use on erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity. J Steroid Biochem 1981;14:729-32. PubMed
- Contempre B, Dumont JE, Ngo B, et al. Effect of selenium supplementation in hypothyroid subjects of an iodine and selenium deficient area: the possible danger of indiscriminate supplementation of iodine-deficient subjects with selenium. J Clin Endocrinol PubMed
- Hofbauer LC, Spitzweg C, Magerstadt RA, Heufelder AE. Selenium-induced thyroid dysfunction. Postgrad Med J 1997;73:103-4. PubMed
- Debski B, Milner JA. Dietary selenium supplementation prolongs pentobarbital induced hypnosis. J Nutr Biochem 2004;15:548-53. PubMed
- Ishikawa M, Sasaki M, Koiwai K, et al. Inhibition of hepatic mixed-function oxidase enzymes in mice by acute and chronic treatment with selenium. J Pharmacobiodyn 1992;15:377-85. PubMed
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