Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

ZanthoSyn 12 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Cardax

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

ZanthoSyn 12 mg is a dietary supplement by Cardax with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for antioxidant support, skin health and aging, eye health.Based on those ingredients, 673 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Astaxanthin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax

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.

ZanthoSyn contains one active ingredient: astaxanthin, a 12 mg dose per capsule. Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment — related to beta-carotene — that functions as an antioxidant in the body.

The capsule also contains several inactive ingredients used to form and fill it: modified food starch, tapioca, microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, glucose syrup, sodium ascorbate, and vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol).

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Joint, cardiovascular, liver and metabolic health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Heart failure, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Stroke — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Astaxanthin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Heart failure, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, and more.

The evidence for astaxanthin in the conditions we have data on — age-related cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), aging skin, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, and carpal tunnel syndrome — is currently insufficient to rate. That means existing studies are too limited or mixed to draw firm conclusions about whether it works for these purposes.

If you're considering ZanthoSyn for a specific health goal, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the current evidence supports its use for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin

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.

Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated in studies, though long-term safety data remain limited. The most common side effects reported orally are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and red-colored stools — the latter is a harmless pigmentation effect.

At the 12 mg dose in this product, such effects appear uncommon, but they have occurred at both lower and higher doses in trial participants. Because safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding are insufficient, the data advises against use in both situations.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Astaxanthin

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 — Astaxanthin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 674 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 taking Cardax ZanthoSyn, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medications metabolized by CYP3A4 or CYP2B6 enzymes — these are common liver pathways. The concern is Moderate-severity: astaxanthin may theoretically speed up how your liver clears these drugs, lowering their blood levels and reducing effectiveness.

Use the medication checker on this page to confirm your drugs are not affected, and talk with your healthcare provider about timing and safety.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

ZanthoSyn may be worth considering if you're interested in astaxanthin's antioxidant properties, but the evidence for specific health claims is not yet established. The main caution is its potential to affect how your liver metabolizes a large number of medications — you'll want to check your exact prescriptions before starting.

If you take any regular drugs, especially those cleared by the liver, discuss this product with your doctor or pharmacist first. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are reasons to avoid it.

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 Feb 25, 2021.

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 ZanthoSyn 12 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Cardax
Barcode (UPC) 861098000316
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2021
DSLD ID 243994
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)
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 ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
861098000316
IngredientAmount% DV
Astaxanthin12 mg--

Other ingredients: modified Food Starch, Tapioca Capsule, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch, Glucose Syrup, Sodium Ascorbate, DL-Alpha-Tocopherol

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.
Formulation

ZanthoSyn is a pure and highly absorbed form of astaxanthin recommended by doctors. Astaxanthin is a clinically studied ingredient with safe anti-inflammatory activity that supports: Joint health Cardiovascular health Liver health Metabolic health

Safe anti-inflammatory for health & longevity

Vegan friendly

Non-GMO

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily or as directed by a healthcare professional. For optimal absorption, take after a meal containing healthy fats.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Astaxanthin Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Physician Endorsed

Formula

30 Capsules / 12 mg

Precautions

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Consult your physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Astaxanthin

Interacts with
673 drugs
12 mg per serving

Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid pigment with strong antioxidant activity in the lab, and it is widely promoted for skin, eye, heart, and exercise...

Astaxanthin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Modified Food Starch, Tapioca Capsule, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch, Glucose Syrup, Sodium Ascorbate, DL-Alpha-Tocopherol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against ZanthoSyn 12 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
673Drugs
673 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in ZanthoSyn 12 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.

Astaxanthin2 drug types · 673 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces cytochrome CYP2B6 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, astaxanthin may decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that astaxanthin induces CYP3A4 enzyme activity in human hepatocytes. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for ZanthoSyn 12 mg, from the product label.

Cardax

See all Cardax products
Name
Cardax, Inc.
City
Honolulu
State
HI
ZipCode
96822
Phone Number
1-800-618-3050
Web Address
zanthosyn.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax: Common Questions

Does ZanthoSyn 12 mg by Cardax interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, ZanthoSyn 12 mg has a known interaction with 673 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
ZanthoSyn 12 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.
What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment — a type of antioxidant found naturally in algae, krill, and other marine organisms. It's the compound that gives salmon and shrimp their pink color. In ZanthoSyn, you're getting a concentrated 12 mg dose per capsule.
Can I take ZanthoSyn if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data for astaxanthin during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not sufficient, so the data advises against it in both situations. Talk with your doctor if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing — they can discuss whether it's right for you.
What side effects might I experience?
Astaxanthin is generally well tolerated, but some people report abdominal pain, diarrhea, or red-colored stools — the last is just a harmless color effect from the pigment. These effects were seen in trial participants at various doses, though they're not common at 12 mg.
Will ZanthoSyn help with age-related macular degeneration or cognitive decline?
The current evidence for astaxanthin in those conditions is insufficient to say whether it works. Talk with your doctor about whether ZanthoSyn is appropriate for your specific health goals.
How do I know if my medications interact with this product?
Use the medication checker on this page to search your exact drugs. Astaxanthin can theoretically affect how your liver processes a large number of medications — especially those cleared by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 enzymes. If anything comes up, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Is it safe to take long-term?
Long-term safety data for astaxanthin are limited, so we don't have robust evidence on extended use. If you're thinking of taking ZanthoSyn regularly over months or years, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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

Not sure if ZanthoSyn 12 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.

ZanthoSyn 12 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

ZanthoSyn 12 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 3 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.

Astaxanthin 3 references
  1. Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, et al. Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled
  2. Kistler, A., Liechti, H., Pichard, L., Wolz, E., Oesterhelt, G., Hayes, A., and Maurel, P. Metabolism and CYP-inducer properties of astaxanthin in man and primary human hepatocytes. Arch.Toxicol. 2002;75(11-12):665-675. PubMed
  3. Choi HD, Youn YK, Shin WG. Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2011;66:363-369. PubMed

See these in context on the Astaxanthin 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

Keep exploring