Irish moss

Carrageenan/Drug Interactions:

  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Theoretically, carrageenan may increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Antiinflammatory agentsAntiinflammatory agents: Carrageenan is popularly used to stimulate inflammation in animal models (16; 17; 18).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (1).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased postprandial blood glucose (2).
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Theoretically, carrageenan may decrease blood pressure.
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Based on in vitro study, lambda-carrageenan may inhibit angiogenesis and endothelial cell invasion and migration (7).
  • Antiretroviral agents, non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIsAntiretroviral agents, non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): In vitro, the combination of the NNRTI MIV-150 and carrageenan had additive effects over MIV-150 alone (22).
  • Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: In animal models, carrageenan blocks cell trafficking of macrophages (thought to prevent HIV transmission) from the vagina and offers protection against herpes simplex virus-2 (23; 11; 8; 9). Also, carrageenan-based gels are hypothesized to reduce HIV transmission during sexual intercourse and have been investigated for safety and acceptability in published studies involving healthy females (20; 13; 14; 24).
  • Azidodeoxythymidine (AZT)Azidodeoxythymidine (AZT): A kappa carrageenan-AZT conjugate has been synthesized (25). In vitro, this conjugate demonstrated a synergistic effect on MT-4 cells infected with HIV-1.
  • AzoxymethaneAzoxymethane: When carrageenan was added to the diet of animals treated with azoxymethane, tumor incidence was increased over azoxymethane alone (12).
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: Theoretically, oral carrageenan may have immunomodulating effects.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Theoretically, oral carrageenan may have immunomodulating effects.
  • NitrosomethylureaNitrosomethylurea: When carrageenan was added to the diet of animals treated with nitrosomethylurea, tumor incidence was increased over nitrosomethylurea alone (12).
  • Ophthalmic agentsOphthalmic agents: Carrageenan has been tested as an anionic polymer to increase ophthalmic delivery of medication (26).
  • Oral agentsOral agents: Theoretically, carrageenan may impair absorption of oral medications.
  • Vaginal agentsVaginal agents: Vaginal use of carrageenan-based gels may increase mild side effects of vaginal agents (13; 14).

    • Carrageenan/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Theoretically, carrageenan may increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Antiinflammatory herbs and supplementsAntiinflammatory herbs and supplements: Carrageenan is popularly used to stimulate inflammation in animal models (16; 27; 18).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (1).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Based on in vitro study, lambda-carrageenan may inhibit angiogenesis and endothelial cell invasion and migration (22).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In vitro, carrageenan prevented cell death following lymphocyte exposure to H2O2 and ultraviolet UVA (6).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: In animal models, carrageenan blocks cell trafficking of macrophages (thought to prevent HIV transmission) from the vagina and offers protection against herpes simplex virus-2 (23; 28; 8; 9). Also, carrageenan-based gels are hypothesized to reduce HIV transmission during sexual intercourse and have been investigated for safety and acceptability in published studies involving healthy females (20; 13; 14; 24).
  • CalciumCalcium: In animals, dietary carrageenan had no effect on calcium absorption (29).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased postprandial blood glucose (2).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: Theoretically, carrageenan may decrease blood pressure.
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: Theoretically, oral carrageenan may have immunomodulating effects.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Theoretically, oral carrageenan may have immunomodulating effects.
  • Ophthalmic herbs and supplementsOphthalmic herbs and supplements: Carrageenan has been tested as an anionic polymer to increase ophthalmic delivery of medication (26).
  • Oral herbs and supplementsOral herbs and supplements: Theoretically, carrageenan may impair absorption of oral medications.
  • Vaginal herbs and supplementsVaginal herbs and supplements: Vaginal use of carrageenan-based gels may increase mild side effects of vaginal agents (13; 14).

    • Carrageenan/Food Interactions:

  • FiberFiber: Carrageenan is a fiber; therefore, consumption of carrageenan may have additive effects with other fibers.
  • Hypoglycemic dietHypoglycemic diet: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased postprandial blood glucose (2).
  • Hypolipidemic dietHypolipidemic diet: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (1).

    • Carrageenan/Lab Interactions:

  • GlucoseGlucose: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased postprandial blood glucose (2).
  • Immune markersImmune markers: Theoretically, oral carrageenan may have immunomodulating effects, and thus carrageenan may change levels of certain immune markers in the body.
  • Lipid panelLipid panel: In humans, carrageenan-enriched foods decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (1).
  • Prothrombin time / international normalized ratio (PT/INR)Prothrombin time / international normalized ratio (PT/INR): Theoretically, carrageenan may increase the risk of bleeding and thus may have effects on anticoagulant markers.