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Dietary supplement

Spirulina 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Mountain Meadow Herbs

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

Spirulina 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Mountain Meadow Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for general nutrition and energy, antioxidant support, cholesterol and metabolic health.Based on those ingredients, 327 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Spirulina platensis. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs

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: spirulina platensis, a blue-green algae. The capsule also holds hypromellose, an inactive ingredient that helps form the capsule shell.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Blue-green Algae's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: everyday health and nutrition support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Malnutrition, Metabolic syndrome, Dyslipidemia, Obesity, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Athletic performance — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Blue-green Algae is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Blue-green Algae is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Athletic performance, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Dyslipidemia, Obesity, and more.

The evidence we hold shows spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure (hypertension). For acne, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), iron deficiency anemia, and arsenic poisoning, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works or doesn't — the data we have just isn't strong enough to rate it either way.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Blue-green Algae

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.

Spirulina is generally well tolerated by mouth, though some people report abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flatulence, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Allergic reactions can occur — including rashes, itching, and rarely severe reactions like anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction with throat swelling and trouble breathing).

A few cases of mild gum bleeding and bruising have been reported. The safety data for spirulina during pregnancy and lactation is not on file.

Because spirulina products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals depending on their source, there's real concern about safety — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before taking it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Blue-green Algae

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 — Blue-green Algae.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 327 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.

Before you start, check with us or your pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin), diabetes medications, or drugs that suppress your immune system. Spirulina may affect how all three work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you have high blood pressure and want to explore spirulina, it may be worth a conversation with your pharmacist. But if you take blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or immunosuppressants, check your specific medications first — spirulina could interfere.

And because contamination is a genuine concern with some products, quality matters here.

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 Jan 25, 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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Spirulina 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Mountain Meadow Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 813086015284
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2020
DSLD ID 212851
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs, 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:
4 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
813086015284
IngredientAmount% DV
Spirulina platensis2000 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose

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.
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.

Formulation

Plant-based superfood

GF (Gluten Free) Sugar Free

Vegan

Energy and immune support Brain health benefits Support heart, liver, and kidneys

General Statements

Everyday health

Boost your intake of vegetable nutrition

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

GF Vegan

Made in Montana USA

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 6+ yrs: Take 4 capsules daily.

Precautions

Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking a prescription, consult your health care provider before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Use with caution

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight.

See for yourself

Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs

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

Serving size4 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Spirulina platensis

Interacts with
327 drugs
2000 mg per serving

Blue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and...

Spirulina platensis monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Spirulina 500 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
327Drugs
327 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Spirulina 500 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.

Spirulina platensis3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, this is unlikely.
Spirulina blue-green algae have shown antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in vitro. However, one preliminary study in 24 patients receiving spirulina blue-green algae 2.3 grams daily for 2 weeks showed no effect on platelet activation or measures of clotting time.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Human research shows that spirulina blue-green algae can have hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes, at least some of whom were using antidiabetes drugs. However, blue-green algae does not seem to improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with diabetes. A meta-analysis of animal studies also suggests that spirulina blue-green algae have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Blue-green algae have been shown to stimulate the immune system.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Spirulina 500 mg, from the product label.

Mountain Meadow Herbs

See all Mountain Meadow Herbs products
Name
Mountain Meadow Herbs, Inc.
Street Address
1019 Hard Rock Rd
City
Somers
State
MT
ZipCode
59932
Phone Number
888.528.8615
Web Address
www.mmherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs: Common Questions

Does Spirulina 500 mg by Mountain Meadow Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Spirulina 500 mg has a known interaction with 327 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Spirulina 500 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.
Does spirulina actually lower blood pressure?
The evidence shows spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure. That means there's some research backing it, but it's not definitive — talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people tolerate it fine, but some experience stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or fatigue. Allergic reactions including rashes and itching can happen too, and very rarely, severe allergic reactions.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
We don't have safety data on file for spirulina in pregnancy or lactation. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice — and mention the contamination concerns, which are real with some products.
Can spirulina help with anemia or acne?
The evidence we hold isn't strong enough to say spirulina works for either one. There simply isn't enough reliable research yet to rate it.
Does quality matter with spirulina products?
Yes — spirulina products can be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals depending on how and where they're grown. That's a real safety concern, so sourcing matters.

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

Not sure if Spirulina 500 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.

Spirulina 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Spirulina 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.

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 22 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.

Blue-green Algae 22 references
  1. Jensen GS, Ginsberg DJ, Huerta P, et al. Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae has rapid effects on the circulation and function of immune cells in humans. A novel approach to nutritional mobilization of the immune system. JANA 2000;2:50-6.
  2. Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
  3. Hayashi O, Katoh T, Okuwaki Y. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary Spirulina platensis. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1994;40:431-41.. PubMed
  4. Vitale S, Miller NR, Mejico LJ, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:18-32. PubMed
  5. Mani UV, Desai S, Iyer U. Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. J Nutraceut 2000;2(3):25-32. DOI
  6. Chiu HF, Yang SP, Kuo YL, et al. Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet effect of C-phycocyanin. Br J Nutr 2006;95:435-40. PubMed
  7. Hsiao G, Chou PH, Shen MY, et al. C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53:7734-40.
  8. Katz M, Levine AA, Kol-Degani H, Kav-Venaki L. A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. J Atten Disord 2010;14:281-91. PubMed
  9. Madhyastha, H. K., Radha, K. S., Sugiki, M., Omura, S., and Maruyama, M. Purification of c-phycocyanin from Spirulina fusiformis and its effect on the induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator from calf pulmonary endothelial cells. Phytomedicine PubMed
  10. Mazokopakis, E. E., Karefilakis, C. M., Tsartsalis, A. N., Milkas, A. N., and Ganotakis, E. S. Acute rhabdomyolysis caused by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):525-527. PubMed
  11. Halidou, Doudou M., Degbey, H., Daouda, H., Leveque, A., Donnen, P., Hennart, P., and Dramaix-Wilmet, M. [The effect of spiruline during nutritional rehabilitation: systematic review]. Rev.Epidemiol.Sante Publique 2008;56(6):425-431.
  12. Konno, T., Umeda, Y., Umeda, M., Kawachi, I., Oyake, M., and Fujita, N. [A case of inflammatory myopathy with widely skin rash following use of supplements containing Spirulina]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51(5):330-333. PubMed
  13. Le TM, Knulst AC, Röckmann H. Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets. Food Chem Toxicol 2014;74:309-10. PubMed
  14. Rzymski P, Niedzielski P, Kaczmarek N, Jurczak T, Klimaszyk P. The multidisciplinary approach to safety and toxicity assessment of microalgae-based food supplements following clinical cases of poisoning. Harmful Algae 2015;46:34-42. DOI
  15. Petrus M, Culerrier R, Campistron M, et al. First case report of anaphylaxis to spirulin: identification of phycocyanin as responsible allergen. Allergy 2010;65(7):924-5. PubMed
  16. Marles RJ, Barrett ML, Barnes J, et al. United States Pharmacopeia safety evaluation of spirulina. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2011;51(7):593-604. PubMed
  17. Majdoub H, Ben Mansour M, Chaubet F, et al. Anticoagulant activity of a sulfated polysaccharide from the green alga Arthrospira platensis. Biochim Biophys Acta 2009;1790(10):1377-81. PubMed
  18. Cha BG, Kwak HW, Park AR, et al. Structural characteristics and biological performance of silk fibroin nanofiber containing microalgae spirulina extract. Biopolymers 2014;101(4):307-18. PubMed
  19. Jensen GS, Drapeau C, Lenninger M, Benson KF. Clinical safety of a high dose of phycocyanin-enriched aqueous extract from Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis: results from a randomized, double-Blind, placebo-controlled study with a focus on anticoagulant ac
  20. Hamedifard Z, Milajerdi A, Reiner Z, Taghizadeh M, Kolahdooz F, Asemi Z. The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized con
  21. Moradi S, Zobeiri M, Feizi A, Clark CCT, Entezari MH. The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative
  22. Ghanbari F, Amerizadeh A, Behshood P, Moradi S, Asgary S. Effect of microalgae arthrospira on biomarkers of glycemic control and glucose metabolism: a systematic Review and meta-analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022;47(10):100942. PubMed

See these in context on the Blue-green Algae 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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