Shark Liver Oil 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Shark Liver Oil 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
Shark Liver Oil 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Vitamin World with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, skin conditions and wound healing, cancer support (unproven).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 Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World
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: shark liver oil, 500 mg per softgel capsule. Shark liver oil is derived from shark liver tissue and has been studied for a range of conditions including cancer, common cold, and chemotherapy side effects.
The softgel capsule itself is made from gelatin and vegetable glycerin as inactive ingredients — the materials that hold the oil and allow you to swallow it easily.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for shark liver oil isn't yet established for the conditions it's been studied in. According to our data, effectiveness ratings for cancer, chemotherapy-induced low white blood cell count, common cold, influenza, and radiation-related nausea and vomiting all fall into insufficient reliable evidence — meaning studies so far haven't been robust or consistent enough to say whether it works for these purposes.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Shark liver oil is generally tolerated for short-term use, but human safety data are limited and product quality varies between brands. The main concern we have documented is a case of severe liver inflammation (hepatitis) in someone who took shark liver oil twice daily for 2 weeks — they developed abdominal discomfort, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), weakness, itching, and abnormal liver blood tests.
Additionally, high doses (15 grams daily for 4 weeks) have raised total cholesterol by about 41.5 mg/dL to borderline high levels and lowered good cholesterol (HDL), though these changes reversed after stopping it. Lower doses of 1.5 grams daily for 8 weeks did not appear to significantly affect cholesterol.
There are also reported cases of aspiration and lipoid pneumonia (a lung condition caused by inhalation of fatty oils) linked to shark liver oil and its component squalene. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the safety data are insufficient — there isn't enough information to know whether it's safe.
Avoid use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding until your doctor or pharmacist can discuss your individual situation.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for shark liver oil. However, if you take any medications, mention this supplement to your doctor or pharmacist — they can review your full medication list and the most current evidence.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
Shark Liver Oil 500 mg has not been shown to work for the conditions studied so far, and human safety data are limited. It's generally tolerated in the short term, but high doses can affect cholesterol and liver damage has been reported.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are off the table without safety data. If you're considering this supplement, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether it 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 Nov 25, 2011.
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 Shark Liver Oil 500 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Vitamin World |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 074312755606 |
| Net contents | 90 Easy to Swallow Rapid Release Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 25, 2011 |
| DSLD ID | 2094 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 5 {Calories} | -- |
| Calories from Fat | 5 {Calories} | -- |
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 5 g | 1% |
| Shark Liver Oil | 500 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin
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.
FDA Statement of Identity
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
DIRECTIONS: For adults, take one (1) to three (3) softgels daily, preferably with meals.
Formula
Alkylglycerols are naturally found in bone marrow and human breast milk. Shark Liver Oil contains a minimum of 20% alkylglycerols.
NATURALLY CONTAINS NATURALLY CONTAINS ALKYLGLYCEROLS
General Statements
500 MG
©2011 Vitamin World, Inc. B5560 05D
For over 40 years, Vitamin World has pioneered the manufacture of premium nutritional supplements. Our commitment to quality is the highest in our industry. Every product undergoes rigorous analysis for purity, potency, safety and freshness. We guarantee it.
Get healthy.
Precautions
WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
Contains fish (shark) ingredients.
Formulation
No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Shellfish. Sodium Free.
Seals/Symbols
QUALITY ASSURED
General
PROD. #5560 B5560 05D
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World 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 Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Amounts shown are per serving.
Shark Liver Oil
No knowninteractions
Shark liver oil is taken from the livers of deep-sea sharks and is rich in compounds called alkylglycerols and squalene. People use it for immune supp...
Shark Liver Oil monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Shark Liver Oil 500 mg. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Shark Liver Oil 500 mg, from the product label.
Vitamin World
See all Vitamin World products- Phone Number
- 1-800-228-4533
- Web Address
- www.vitaminworld.com
Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World: Common Questions
Does Shark Liver Oil 500 mg by Vitamin World interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does shark liver oil actually work for colds or the flu?
What's the main safety concern with this supplement?
Is shark liver oil safe to take long-term?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Shark Liver Oil 500 mg 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 Shark Liver Oil 500 mg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Shark Liver Oil 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.
- 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 6 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 Liver Oil 6 references
- Lee JY, Lee KS, Kim TS, et al. Squalene-induced extrinsic lipoid pneumonia: serial radiologic findings in nine patients. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1999;23:730-5. PubMed
- Lee JS, Im JG, Song KS, et al. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia: high-resolution CT findings. Eur Radiol 1999;9:287-91. PubMed
- Asnis DS, Saltzman HP, Melchert A. Shark oil pneumonia. An overlooked entity. Chest 1993;103:976-7.
- Deniau AL, Mosset P, Pédrono F, Mitre R, Le Bot D, Legrand AB. Multiple beneficial health effects of natural alkylglycerols from shark liver oil. Mar Drugs. 2010 Jul 19;8(7):2175-84. PubMed
- Kilincalp S, Deveci M, Basar O, Ekiz F, Coban S, Yuksel O. Shark liver oil: hidden dangers. Ann Hepatol. 2012 Sep-Oct;11(5):728-30. DOI
- Hamadate N, Matsumoto Y, Seto K, Yamamoto T, Yamaguchi H, Nakagawa T, Yamamoto E, Fukagawa M, Yazawa K. Vascular effects and safety of supplementation with shark liver oil in middle-aged and elderly males. Exp Ther Med. 2015 Aug;10(2):641-646. Epub 2015 J PubMed
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