Spirulina Powder Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Spirulina Powder 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
Spirulina Powder is a dietary supplement by Vitamin World with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, skin health and acne, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 662 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin A, Spirulina powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
Ask the Pharmacist
A licensed pharmacist will answer your question by email — free, usually within 24 hours.
Got it — thank you!
A licensed pharmacist will answer within 24 hours. Keep an eye on your email (worth checking spam, just in case).
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Spirulina Powder 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 powder contains two active ingredients. Vitamin A supports vision, skin, and immune function.
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that's been studied for blood pressure and general nutrition. The product also contains spirulina powder as an inactive ingredient — the list doesn't specify other fillers or binders beyond that.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
Vitamin A is effective for vitamin A deficiency and possibly effective for oral leukoplakia (precancerous mouth lesions), aging skin, measles, ulcerative colitis, and a lung condition in premature infants. Spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure.
For acne, hay fever, iron deficiency anemia, and arsenic poisoning, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate spirulina.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Vitamin A is generally well tolerated at recommended amounts, but high doses build up in your body and can become toxic — causing headaches, liver damage, bone pain, and in severe cases, coma or death. At recommended levels it's considered likely safe in pregnancy, but high doses (especially retinol) can cause birth defects and should be avoided.
Spirulina is generally well tolerated orally, though some people report abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or fatigue. Rare allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported.
A key concern with spirulina: quality varies, and some batches are contaminated with toxins or heavy metals — the safety data advises caution or avoidance because of this contamination risk.
Meds to double-check
Major interaction found
Check with your pharmacist before using this if you take retinoid medications (acne or psoriasis treatments) — vitamin A can reach dangerous levels together. Also double-check if you're on warfarin or other blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, immune-suppressing drugs, or diabetes medications.
No interactions are documented for spirulina beyond these, but the medication count reflects vitamin A's broad theoretical interactions at high doses.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This product may help if you're low in vitamin A or exploring spirulina for blood pressure, but you need to know your dose won't be high enough to cause vitamin A toxicity at typical powder servings. If you take retinoid drugs, warfarin, tetracycline antibiotics, immunosuppressants, diabetes drugs, or other blood thinners, check your exact medications before you start.
Talk with your pharmacist about whether this product fits your situation and whether quality or contamination is a concern for your brand.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 26, 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 Spirulina Powder, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Vitamin World |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 074312751936 |
| Net contents | 4 oz.; 113 g |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Oct 26, 2011 |
| DSLD ID | 812 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Powder |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, 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 Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 25 {Calories} | -- |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2 g | 1% |
| Protein | 5 g | -- |
| Vitamin A | 5000 IU | 100% |
| Spirulina powder | 7000 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Spirulina powder
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.
Brand IP Statement(s)
2011 Vitamin World. Inc.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
FDA Statement of Identity
VEGETARIAN DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
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 Fish. Sodium Free.
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.
General Statements
Get healthy.
Promotes Overall Health*
Spirulina is a well-known type of blue-green algae. Because of its popularity as a completely natural food source, Spirulina is harvested for commercial use around the world.
This product has been developed, manufactured and packaged by Vitamin World. Our world-class facilities allow us to control exactly what goes into each product. It is your assurance that you are getting the highest quality and freshest products. You have our guarantee!
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
DIRECTIONS: For adults, stir one (1) tablespoon (7 g) of powder into 8 ounces of cold water or your favorite beverage.
Seals/Symbols
QUALITY ASSURED QA
Formula
Blue-Green Algae
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Spirulina Powder 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 Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World
These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablespoon(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container16 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.
Protein
Vitamin A
Interacts with387 drugs
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient important for vision, skin, immune function, and growth. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, and supplemen...
Vitamin A monograph & interactionsSpirulina powder
Interacts with327 drugs
Blue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and...
Spirulina powder monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Spirulina powder. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Vitamin World's Spirulina Powder contains vitamin A and spirulina, and both carry documented interactions with medications.
Vitamin A is the more serious concern: at high doses, it can dangerously boost levels of retinoid drugs (acne medications, psoriasis treatments) to toxic levels — this is a Major severity interaction. It also theoretically increases bleeding risk with warfarin and the risk of a serious brain condition called pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure inside the skull) if you're taking tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Vitamin A at high doses may also increase liver damage risk if you're on other drugs that stress the liver. Spirulina carries Moderate interactions with blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets), immune-suppressing drugs, and diabetes medications — it may increase bleeding risk, interfere with immune therapy, or lower blood sugar unpredictably.
Altogether, these interactions span 644 individual medications. The key is dose: these risks are mainly theoretical at normal supplement levels but become real at high intakes.
Check your exact medications with the search tool on this page before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Spirulina Powder?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Spirulina Powder interact with 662 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 3 ingredients in Spirulina Powder interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Vitamin A Spirulina powder
AcitretinSoriatane
How Acitretin interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acitretin interactionAlitretinoinPanretin
How Alitretinoin interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Alitretinoin interactionBexaroteneTargretin
How Bexarotene interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Bexarotene interactionHalobetasol Propionate,tazaroteneDuobrii
How Halobetasol Propionate,tazarotene interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Halobetasol Propionate,tazarotene interactionIsotretinoinAbsorica, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Roaccutane, Sotret
How Isotretinoin interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Isotretinoin interactionTazaroteneArazlo, Avage, Fabior, Tazorotene, Zorac
How Tazarotene interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tazarotene interactionTretinoinAltreno, Renova, Retin-A, Vesanoid
How Tretinoin interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tretinoin interactionTretinoin, Benzoyl PeroxideTwyneo
How Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide interactionEtretinateTegison
How Etretinate interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin ARetinoids Major
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Read the full Vitamin A + Etretinate interaction6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + 6-mercaptopurine interactionSpirulina PowderImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Spirulina PowderAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Abciximab interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abiraterone interactionAbiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga
How Abiraterone Acetate interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Abiraterone Acetate interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Spirulina PowderAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs, Immunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Abrocitinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Spirulina PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Acarbose interactionVitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acebutolol interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Spirulina PowderAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Acenocoumarol interactionAcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionSpirulina PowderAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Spirulina PowderAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Spirulina Powder + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionVitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, CodeineGesic C15, Gesic C30, Gesic C8, Lenoltec 1, Lenoltec 2, Lenoltec 3 +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Spirulina Powder — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Vitamin AHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
Read the full Vitamin A + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Spirulina Powder with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Vitamin A
Retinoids
Concomitant use of retinoids with vitamin A supplements might produce supratherapeutic vitamin A levels.
Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, could have additive toxic effects when taken with vitamin A supplements.
Hepatotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, taking high doses of vitamin A in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver disease.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects. Doses of vitamin A above the UL can cause hepatotoxicity, ranging from elevated liver enzymes to liver failure.
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Theoretically, taking tetracycline antibiotics with high doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of pseudotumor cerebri.
Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) can occur with tetracyclines and with acute or chronic vitamin A toxicity. Case reports suggest that taking tetracyclines and vitamin A concurrently can increase the risk of this condition. Avoid high doses of vitamin A in people taking tetracyclines chronically.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Theoretically, high doses of vitamin A could increase the risk of bleeding with warfarin.
Vitamin A toxicity is associated with hemorrhage and hypoprothrombinemia, possibly due to vitamin K antagonism. Advise patients taking warfarin to avoid doses of vitamin A above the tolerable upper intake level of 10,000 IU/day for adults.
Spirulina powder
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.
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.
Immunosuppressants
Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Blue-green algae have been shown to stimulate the immune system.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Spirulina Powder, from the product label.
Vitamin World
See all Vitamin World products- Name
- Vitamin World, Inc.
- City
- Ronkonkoma
- State
- NY
- ZipCode
- 11779
- Phone Number
- 1-800-228-4533
- Web Address
- www.vitaminworld.com
Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World: Common Questions
Does Spirulina Powder by Vitamin World interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is this safe to take while pregnant?
Can I take this if I'm on blood thinner medication?
What are the most common side effects?
Does spirulina actually work for anything?
Should I worry about contamination in spirulina powder?
What is vitamin A in this product for?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Spirulina Powder 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 Spirulina Powder’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Vitamin A
Interacts with 387 drugsVitamin A is an essential nutrient important for vision, skin, immune function, and growth. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, and supplements are mainly useful for correcting a tr...
Read the full Vitamin A monograph → Herb & supplement monographBlue-green Algae
Interacts with 327 drugsBlue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and general wellness. Evidence for most heal...
Read the full Blue-green Algae monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Spirulina Powder'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 53 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.
Vitamin A 31 references
- McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
- Griffiths JK. The vitamin A paradox. J Pediatr 2000;137:604-7.. PubMed
- Hardman JG, Limbird LL, Molinoff PB, eds. Goodman and Gillman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
- Hansten PD, Horn JR. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Vancouver, WA: Applied Therapeutics Inc., 1997 and updates.
- FDA Talk Paper. Vitamin A and birth defects (T95-56). Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD. October 6, 1995.
- Russell RM. The vitamin A spectrum: from deficiency to toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:878-84. PubMed
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
- Feskanich D, Singh V, Willett WC, Colditz GA. Vitamin A intake and hip fractures among postmenopausal women. JAMA 2002;287:47-54. PubMed
- Melhus H, Michaelsson K, Kindmark A, et al. Excessive dietary intake of vitamin A is associated with reduced bone mineral density and increased risk for hip fracture. Ann Intern Med 1998;129:770-8. PubMed
- Michaelsson K, Lithell H, Vessby B, Melhus H. Serum retinol levels and the risk of fracture. N Engl J Med 2003;348:287-94.. PubMed
- Botterweck AA, van den Brandt PA, Goldbohm RA. Vitamins, carotenoids, dietary fiber, and the risk of gastric carcinoma: results from a prospective study after 6.3 years of follow-up. Cancer 2000;88:737-48.. DOI
- Meyskens FL Jr, Graham V, Chvapil M, et al. A phase I trial of beta-all-trans-retinoic acid delivered via a collagen sponge and a cervical cap for mild or moderate intraepithelial cervical neoplasia. J Natl Cancer Inst 1983;71:921-5..
- Hathcock JN, Hattan DG, Jenkins MY, et al. Evaluation of vitamin A toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;52:183-202.. PubMed
- Walters BN, Gubbay SS. Tetracycline and benign intracranial hypertension: report of five cases. Br Med J 1981;282:19-20.. PubMed
- Pearson MG, Littlewood SM, Bowden AN. Tetracycline and benign intracranial hypertension (letter). Br Med J 1981;282:568-9.. PubMed
- Azais-Braesco V, Pascal G. Vitamin A in pregnancy: requirements and safety limits. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:1325S-33S. PubMed
- Smedts HP, de Vries JH, Rakhshandehroo M, et al. High maternal vitamin E intake by diet or supplements is associated with congenital heart defects in the offspring. BJOG 2009;116:416-23. PubMed
- Grotto, I., Mimouni, M., Gdalevich, M., and Mimouni, D. Vitamin A supplementation and childhood morbidity from diarrhea and respiratory infections: a meta-analysis. J Pediatr 2003;142(3):297-304. PubMed
- Mahalanabis, D., Lahiri, M., Paul, D., Gupta, S., Gupta, A., Wahed, M. A., and Khaled, M. A. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of treatment with zinc or vitamin A in infants and young children with severe acute l
- Long, K. Z., Montoya, Y., Hertzmark, E., Santos, J. I., and Rosado, J. L. A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial of the effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on diarrheal disease and respiratory tract infections in children in Mexico City, Mex
- Fritz, H., Kennedy, D., Fergusson, D., Fernandes, R., Doucette, S., Cooley, K., Seely, A., Sagar, S., Wong, R., and Seely, D. Vitamin A and retinoid derivatives for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta analysis. PLoS.One. 2011;6(6):e21107. PubMed
- Mayo-Wilson, E., Imdad, A., Herzer, K., Yakoob, M. Y., and Bhutta, Z. A. Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d5094. PubMed
- Mazumder S, Taneja S, Bhatia K, Yoshida S, Kaur J, Dube B, Toteja GS, Bahl R, Fontaine O, Martines J, Bhandari N; Neovita India Study Group. Efficacy of early neonatal supplementation with vitamin A to reduce mortality in infancy in Haryana, India (Neovit
- Baineni R, Gulati R, Delhi CK. Vitamin A toxicity presenting as bone pain. Arch Dis Child. 2017;102(6):556-8. PubMed
- Darlow BA, Graham PJ, Rojas-Reyes MX. Vitamin A supplementation to prevent mortality and short- and long-term morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(8):CD000501. PubMed
- Haider BA, Sharma R, Bhutta ZA. Neonatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in term neonates in low and middle income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD006980. PubMed
- Mohammad YM, Raslan IR, Al-Hussain FA. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Induced by Topical Application of Vitamin A. J Neuroophthalmol. 2016;36(4):412-3. PubMed
- Masnadi Shirazi K, Nikniaz Z, Masnadi Shirazi A, Rohani M. Vitamin A supplementation decreases disease activity index in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Dec;41:215-219. PubMed
- Ding Y, Hu P, Yang Y, et al. Impact of maternal daily oral low-dose vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair: a randomised placebo-controlled trial in China. Nutrients 2021;13(7):2370. PubMed
- Knapik JJ, Hoedebecke SS. Vitamin A and bone fractures: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Spec Oper Med 2021;21(2):100-7. PubMed
- Imdad A, Mayo-Wilson E, Haykal MR, et al. Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022;3(3):CD008524. PubMed
Blue-green Algae 22 references
- 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.
- Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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