Shark Liver Oil Complex 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Solgar
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Shark Liver Oil Complex 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 Complex 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Solgar with 2 active ingredients. 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 Complex 500 mg by Solgar
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 has 2 active ingredients: shark liver oil and squalene. Shark liver oil is derived from shark livers and contains squalene and other compounds.
Squalene is also present as a separate active ingredient. The softgels also contain gelatin and vegetable glycerin as inactive ingredients.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for shark liver oil isn't established yet. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for cancer, chemotherapy-induced low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), common cold, influenza, and radiation-induced nausea and vomiting.
That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the research so far isn't solid enough to say either way.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Shark liver oil is generally tolerated in the short term, but human safety data are limited and product quality varies across brands. One case of severe liver inflammation has been reported after taking shark liver oil twice daily for 2 weeks, with symptoms including abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and yellowing of the skin and eyes — though other causes were ruled out.
At higher doses (15 grams daily for 4 weeks), shark liver oil raised total cholesterol by about 41.5 mg/dL and lowered HDL (good) cholesterol in healthy adults; these changes reversed when the product was stopped. Lower doses (1.5 grams daily for 8 weeks) did not significantly affect cholesterol levels.
There have also been cases of lipoid pneumonia, a type of lung inflammation, linked to aspiration of shark liver oil and squalene. We don't have enough safety data to recommend this product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the shark liver oil we could check. Even so, check your full medication list with the search tool on this page before you start, and ask your pharmacist if you want a final confirmation.
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 hasn't been studied enough yet for us to say whether it works for the conditions it's marketed for. It's generally tolerated short-term, but liver inflammation and changes in cholesterol have occurred in some people, and lung issues from aspiration have been reported.
If you're considering it, run it by your own doctor or pharmacist first — especially if you have liver disease, high cholesterol, or lung problems.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 23, 2020.
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 Complex 500 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Solgar |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 033984025660 |
| Net contents | 60 Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Apr 23, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 218681 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other |
| 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 Shark Liver Oil Complex 500 mg by Solgar, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 Calorie(s) | -- |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg | 2% |
| Total Fat | 1 Gram(s) | 1% |
| Squalene | 500 mg | -- |
| 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.
Formula
Solgar Shark liver Oil Complex supplies standardized amounts of alkoxyglycerols and squalene, two important components found in Shark Liver Oil. Shark Liver Oil has been traditionally used by Scandinavian fishermen and the people along the west coast of Norway and Sweden for hundreds of years.
Traditional ingredients
Brand IP Statement(s)
2018 Solgar, Inc.
General Statements
Solgar since 1947
Formulation
Non-GMO Gluten, wheat & dairy free
Free of: Gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, yeast, sugar, sodium, artificial flavor, sweetener, preservatives and color.
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Precautions
Contains fish (shark) ingredients.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, including blood thinners, planning any medical or surgical procedure or have any medical condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.
Discontinue use and consult your healthcare practitioner if any adverse reactions occur.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if outer bottle seal is missing or damaged.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement for adults, take two (2) softgels daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Shark Liver Oil Complex 500 mg by Solgar 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 Complex 500 mg by Solgar
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.
Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.
Squalene
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 Complex 500 mg by Solgar Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Shark Liver Oil Complex 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 Complex 500 mg, from the product label.
Solgar
See all Solgar products- Name
- Solgar, Inc.
- Street Address
- 500 Willow Tree Road
- City
- Leonia
- State
- NJ
- ZipCode
- 07605
- Phone Number
- 1-877-765-4274
- Web Address
- www.solgar.com
Shark Liver Oil Complex 500 mg by Solgar: Common Questions
Does Shark Liver Oil Complex 500 mg by Solgar interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take Shark Liver Oil Complex if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What side effects might happen?
Does it really work for colds, flu, or cancer?
What is squalene?
Will this affect my cholesterol?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Shark Liver Oil Complex 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 Complex 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 Complex 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