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Dietary supplement

Shark Cartilage Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BulkSupplements.com

Powder Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Shark Cartilage is a dietary supplement by BulkSupplements.com 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 by BulkSupplements.com

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 is just shark cartilage — a single active ingredient in powder form. It contains no other active ingredients, and the facts list no inactive fillers or binders.

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 behind shark cartilage is thin. For cancer, the data suggests it's likely ineffective.

For age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Kaposi sarcoma, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works or not. The bottom line: proven benefits are lacking.

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 by mouth, but it's often poorly studied and may cause digestive upset — nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, and indigestion are the most common side effects. Rare serious effects have been reported, including altered consciousness, weakness, and liver inflammation, though these are uncommon.

There isn't enough safety data to use shark cartilage during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — the safety data advises against it in both cases.

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.

If you take any immunosuppressant medication — including those used after transplant or for autoimmune conditions — check your specific drug with the search tool on this page before adding shark cartilage.

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 generally well tolerated, but the evidence it works is weak to absent for most conditions. If you take an immunosuppressant medication, check with us before starting.

Because proven benefits are lacking and safety data is limited, it's worth discussing with your pharmacist whether this is the right choice 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 Jun 20, 2024.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand BulkSupplements.com
Barcode (UPC) 849720027696
Net contents 100 Gram(s); 3.5 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 311554
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com, 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:
1500 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
1500 mg
Servings per container
67
UPC/BARCODE
849720027696
IngredientAmount% DV
Shark Cartilage1500 mg--

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

BulkSupplements.com Clean & Pure Bulk Supplements

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Warning: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Formulation

Free of: Added sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten, additives

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1500mg (about 1/3 tsp) once daily, or as directed by a physician.

Storage

Store in a dry, cool, dark place.

General Statements

Use an accurate milligram scale. Contents are sold by weight, not volume. Settling may occur. NewItem

See for yourself

Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com

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

Serving size1500 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container67 Amounts shown are per serving.

Shark Cartilage

Interacts with
121 drugs
1500 mg 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
Interaction report

Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Shark Cartilage?

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 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, from the product label.

BulkSupplements.com

See all BulkSupplements.com products
Name
BulkSupplements.com
Street Address
7511 Eastgate Rd
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Web Address
bulksupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com: Common Questions

Does Shark Cartilage by BulkSupplements.com interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Shark Cartilage 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 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.
Does shark cartilage really help with arthritis or other conditions?
For most conditions — including osteoarthritis — there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. For cancer, the data suggests it's likely ineffective. The proven benefits are lacking, so it's hard to know if you'd see a real difference.
What are the common side effects?
Most people tolerate it well, but digestive issues are common: nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, and indigestion. You may also notice dizziness, fatigue, or taste changes. Serious side effects are rare but have been reported — liver inflammation, weakness, and altered consciousness among them.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data in either case, and the safety data advises against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it during pregnancy or while nursing.
Why is this so poorly studied?
The product facts note that shark cartilage is often poorly studied overall — that's just how the evidence base stands right now. There's a lot we don't know about it.
Is there anything in this besides shark cartilage?
No — it's 100% shark cartilage powder with no fillers, binders, or other inactive ingredients added.

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

Not sure if Shark Cartilage 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 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Shark Cartilage'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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