Spirulina

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 23, 2021.

What are other common names?

• Anabaena species
• Aphanizomenon flos-aquae
• Arthrospira maxima
• Arthrospira platensis
• Lyngbya wollei
• Microcystis aeruginosa
• Microcystis wesenbergii
• Nostoc ellipsosporum
• Spirulina fusiformis
• Spirulina maxima
• Spirulina pacifica
• Spirulina platensis
• AFA
• Algae
• Algas Verdiazul
• Algues BleuVert
• Algues BleuVert du Lac Klamath
• Anabaena
• Aphanizomenon flosaquae
• Arthrospira fusiformis
• Arthrospira maxima
• Arthrospira platensis
• BGA
• Blue Green Algae
• Blue Green Algas
• Blue Green Micro-Algae
• Cyanobacteria
• Cyanobactérie
• Cyanophycée
• Dihe
• Espirulina
• Hawaiian Spirulina
• Klamath
• Klamath Blue/Green Algae
• Klamath Lake Algae
• Lyngbya wollei
• Microcystis aeruginosa and other Microcystis species
• Nostoc ellipsosporum
• SBGA
• SF
• Spirulina Blue-Green Algae
• Spirulina fusiformis
• Spirulina maxima
• Spirulina platensis
• Spiruline
• Spiruline d'Hawaii
• Tecuitlatl

What is this product used for?

Spirulina may help with allergies. Spirulina may help people who have diabetes with blood sugar levels. It may also help with some people with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with other drugs or natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.

• Take extra care if you are at a high risk for infection. This includes people who have had a transplant, are on chemo, or have an autoimmune disease.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Liver problems

  • Phenylketonuria

  • Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and pemphigus vulgaris

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of liver problems. These include upset stomach or throwing up, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, not hungry.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

• Very bad muscle pain

Last Reviewed Date

Consumer information use

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication ...