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Dietary supplement

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by OL Olympian Labs, Inc.

Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg is a dietary supplement by OL Olympian Labs, Inc. with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for cancer support (popular use), arthritis and joint pain, psoriasis.Based on those ingredients, 121 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Shark Cartilage. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc.

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: shark cartilage at 2250 mg per capsule. Shark cartilage is a tissue extract sometimes promoted for joint health and other uses, though evidence for benefit is mixed or lacking for most claimed purposes.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients (fillers and binders): gelatin, rice flour, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and ascorbyl palmitate.

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 Shark Cartilage product and its label doesn't state a use — see Shark Cartilage'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 for shark cartilage is limited. For cancer, it's rated likely ineffective.

For age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Kaposi sarcoma, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis, there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to rate whether it works. If you're considering it for any of these conditions, talk with your doctor about what the evidence actually shows and what options might help you instead.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Shark Cartilage

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.

Shark cartilage is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though it's often poorly studied and proven benefits are lacking. The most common side effects are constipation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, fatigue, and taste disturbance.

Rare serious effects include altered consciousness, weakness, decreased sensation, liver inflammation, and changes in blood sugar. Not enough safety data exists to recommend shark cartilage during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Shark Cartilage

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 — Shark Cartilage.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 121 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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you take any immunosuppressants (such as medications after an organ transplant or for autoimmune conditions). Theoretically, shark cartilage might interfere with how these drugs work.

Use the medication search tool on this page to verify your exact medications.

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. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Shark cartilage is one to run past your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take medications that suppress your immune system. Evidence for its effectiveness is weak or absent for most claimed uses.

It's generally well tolerated in terms of serious harm, but digestive upset and other common side effects are possible, and safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding isn't established.

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 Dec 23, 2016.

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 Shark Cartilage 2250 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand OL Olympian Labs, Inc.
Barcode (UPC) 710013000477
Net contents 300 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 23, 2016
DSLD ID 67044
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc., 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:
3 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
710013000477
IngredientAmount% DV
Shark Cartilage2.25 grams--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate

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

This product contains fish (shark).

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg per serving

General Statements

100 servings

Olympian Labs, Inc. products are made with the highest quality ingredients and manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

Made with non-GMO ingredients

Beneficial mucopolysaccharides

Healthy joint support Bioavailable naturally occuring chondroitin Immune system support

Precautions

Discontinue use if allergic reaction occurs.

Caution: If you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medication, consult your healthcare professional before using this or any other nutritional supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product contains fish (shark).

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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.

General

REV 11-06-15

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take three (3) capsules one to three times a day with meals, or as directed by a healthcare professional.

See for yourself

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc. label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc.

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

Serving size3 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Shark Cartilage

Interacts with
121 drugs
2.25 grams per serving

Shark cartilage is a supplement made from the skeletal tissue of sharks that was heavily promoted for cancer and joint conditions, but good-quality cl...

Shark Cartilage monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc. Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Shark Cartilage 2250 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
121Drugs
121 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Shark Cartilage 2250 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.

Shark Cartilage1 drug type · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, shark cartilage might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro evidence suggests that shark cartilage might stimulate immune responses. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Shark Cartilage 2250 mg, from the product label.

OL Olympian Labs, Inc.

Name
Olympian Labs, Inc.
City
Phoenix
State
AZ
ZipCode
85027
Phone Number
1.800.473.5883
Web Address
www.olympianlabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc.: Common Questions

Does Shark Cartilage 2250 mg by OL Olympian Labs, Inc. interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Shark Cartilage 2250 mg has a known interaction with 121 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Shark Cartilage 2250 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.
Will shark cartilage help my osteoarthritis (or joint pain)?
There isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to say whether shark cartilage works for osteoarthritis. While it's promoted for joint health, proven benefits are lacking. Talk with your doctor about what evidence does exist and what other options might help.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—not enough safety data exists. The facts advise against shark cartilage during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new supplement.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most commonly, constipation, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, dizziness, fatigue, and taste disturbance. Rare serious effects include altered consciousness, weakness, decreased sensation, liver inflammation, and changes in blood sugar. Stop and contact your doctor if you have any serious symptoms.
Is shark cartilage safe for cancer?
It's rated likely ineffective for cancer in the data we hold. If you're undergoing cancer treatment, talk with your oncologist before adding any supplement—some can interfere with your care.
What exactly is shark cartilage?
It's a tissue extract from shark cartilage, sold as a dietary supplement. While it's sometimes promoted for various health claims, evidence for benefit is mixed or absent for most uses, and safety in certain populations isn't well established.

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

Not sure if Shark Cartilage 2250 mg 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.

Shark Cartilage 2250 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Shark Cartilage 2250 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 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.

Shark Cartilage 12 references
  1. Ashar B, Vargo E. Shark cartilage-induced hepatitis [letter]. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:780-1. PubMed
  2. Lane IW, Comac L. Sharks don't get cancer. Garden City, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1992.
  3. Miller DR, Anderson GT, Stark JJ, et al. Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:3649-55. PubMed
  4. Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick L, et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) in patients (pts) with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. Proc Am Soc Clinical Oncol 1998;17:A240.
  5. Batist G, Patenaude F, Champagne P, et al. Neovastat (AE-941) in refractory renal cell carcinoma patients: report of a phase II trial with two dose levels. Ann Oncol 2002;13:1259-63..
  6. Merly, L., Simjee, S., and Smith, S. L. Induction of inflammatory cytokines by cartilage extracts. Int Immunopharmacol. 2007;7(3):383-391. PubMed
  7. Bargahi, A., Hassan, Z. M., Rabbani, A., Langroudi, L., Noori, S. H., and Safari, E. Effect of shark cartilage derived protein on the NK cells activity. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. 2011;33(3):403-409. PubMed
  8. Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick DD, and et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) in patients with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. Amer Soc Clin Oncol 1998;17:A240.
  9. Milner M. A guide to the use of shark cartilage in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases. Amer Chiropractor 1999;21:40-42.
  10. Rosenbluth, RJ, Jennis, AA, Cantwell, S, and et al. Oral shark cartilage in the treatment of patients with advanced primary brain tumors. A phase II pilot study (meeting abstract). Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol 1999;18:A554.
  11. Saad F, Klotz L, Babaian R, Lacombe L, Champagne P, and Dupont E. Phase I/II trial on AE-941 (Neovastat) in patients with metastatic refractory prostate cancer (abstract presentation). Canadian Urological Association Annual Meeting (June 24-27, 2001).
  12. Merly L, Smith SL. Pro-inflammatory properties of shark cartilage supplement. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2015;37(2):140-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Shark Cartilage 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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