Drug & supplement interaction

Homotaurine + Metformin

Metformin brand names: Glucophage, Metformin.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Homotaurine and Metformin in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Homotaurine and Metformin

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Metformin and Homotaurine in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Homotaurine at all — not against Metformin, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Homotaurine safety at a glance

Homotaurine overall Use caution Generally tolerated in studies, but long-term safety as a supplement is not well established.
Pregnancy Avoid There is not enough safety information, so it is best avoided during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid There is not enough safety information, so it is best avoided while breastfeeding.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Metformin and Homotaurine? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Homotaurine and Metformin May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

  • Dizziness / Headache Additional detail

    Homotaurine

    “Orally, homotaurine seems to be generally well tolerated. The most frequent side effects reported in clinical trials are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and sleep disorders.”

    Homotaurine · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    6 sources cited
    1. 17063. Greenberg SM, Rosand J, Schneider AT, et al. A phase 2 study of tramiprosate for cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2006;20:269-74. PubMed
    2. 17064. Aisen PS, Saumier D, Briand R, et al. A Phase II study targeting amyloid-beta with 3APS in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2006;67:1757-63.
    3. 17065. Wright TM. Tramiprosate. Drugs Today (Barc) 2006;42:291-8.
    4. 101097. Abushakra S, Porsteinsson A, Scheltens P, et al. Clinical effects of tramiprosate in APOE4/4 homozygous patients with mild Alzheimer's disease suggest disease modification potential. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2017;4(3):149-156. PubMed
    5. 101099. Ricciardi L, De Nigris F, Specchia A, Fasano A. Homotaurine in Parkinson's disease. Neurol Sci. 2015;36(9):1581-7. PubMed
    6. 104786. Marino PF, Rossi GCM, Campagna G, et al. Effects of citicoline, homotaurine, and vitamin E on contrast sensitivity and visual-related quality of life in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A preliminary study. Molecules. 2020 Nov 29;25(23):5614. PubMed

    “Orally, some of the most frequent side effects of homotaurine are dizziness, headache, and sleep disorders.”

    Homotaurine · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    4 sources cited
    1. 17063. Greenberg SM, Rosand J, Schneider AT, et al. A phase 2 study of tramiprosate for cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2006;20:269-74. PubMed
    2. 17064. Aisen PS, Saumier D, Briand R, et al. A Phase II study targeting amyloid-beta with 3APS in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2006;67:1757-63.
    3. 17065. Wright TM. Tramiprosate. Drugs Today (Barc) 2006;42:291-8.
    4. 104786. Marino PF, Rossi GCM, Campagna G, et al. Effects of citicoline, homotaurine, and vitamin E on contrast sensitivity and visual-related quality of life in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A preliminary study. Molecules. 2020 Nov 29;25(23):5614. PubMed

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Diarrhea / Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    Homotaurine

    “Orally, some of the most frequent side effects of homotaurine are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting are dose-dependent and the incidence ranges from 5% to 30% with doses of 50-150 mg twice daily. However, in some large studies, nausea and vomiting occurred at a similar rate in the placebo group.”

    Homotaurine · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    6 sources cited
    1. 17063. Greenberg SM, Rosand J, Schneider AT, et al. A phase 2 study of tramiprosate for cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2006;20:269-74. PubMed
    2. 17064. Aisen PS, Saumier D, Briand R, et al. A Phase II study targeting amyloid-beta with 3APS in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2006;67:1757-63.
    3. 17065. Wright TM. Tramiprosate. Drugs Today (Barc) 2006;42:291-8.
    4. 101097. Abushakra S, Porsteinsson A, Scheltens P, et al. Clinical effects of tramiprosate in APOE4/4 homozygous patients with mild Alzheimer's disease suggest disease modification potential. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2017;4(3):149-156. PubMed
    5. 101099. Ricciardi L, De Nigris F, Specchia A, Fasano A. Homotaurine in Parkinson's disease. Neurol Sci. 2015;36(9):1581-7. PubMed
    6. 104786. Marino PF, Rossi GCM, Campagna G, et al. Effects of citicoline, homotaurine, and vitamin E on contrast sensitivity and visual-related quality of life in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A preliminary study. Molecules. 2020 Nov 29;25(23):5614. PubMed

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Effects for Metformin come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Homotaurine come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

From our Q&A

Questions About Homotaurine or Metformin

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Homotaurine or Metformin, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metformin

This page covers Homotaurine only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metformin page lists 258 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Agaricus Mushroom (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 217 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metformin page

“Siberian cocklebur is the ingredient I most want anyone taking metformin (Glucophage) to know about. It has caused severe low blood sugar in people, documented in humans, and it should not be combined with any glucose-lowering medication.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metformin interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Homotaurine as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 2 real supplement products containing Homotaurine, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Homotaurine. Even though Homotaurine itself has no known interaction with Metformin, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Homotaurine and Metformin Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Homotaurine
Steady interest

#1,354 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Metformin
Top 1%

#29 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Homotaurine reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Homotaurine and Metformin records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Homotaurine

What is Homotaurine?

  • Memory support
  • Brain and cognitive health
  • Alzheimer's disease (investigational)
  • General neuroprotection

Homotaurine (also called tramiprosate) is a small amino acid-like molecule studied mainly for slowing memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Large clinical trials did not clearly prove it works, and it is now sold as a dietary supplement rather than an approved drug. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a medical condition.

Synthesized compound (also found naturally in some seaweeds) · Capsules, tablets

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Homotaurine is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Homotaurine record says about it on its own.

Homotaurine: dosing

There is no officially established supplement dose for homotaurine. Doses used in research were chosen for studying Alzheimer's disease and may not match what is sold in stores.If you choose to use a homotaurine product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed the recommended amount.

From our Homotaurine monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Homotaurine monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Metformin

What Is Metformin Used For?

Brand names: Glucophage, Metformin

Metformin is used to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is always used together with diet and exercise, not instead of them.

Metformin hydrochloride tablets and oral solution are approved for adults and children 10 years and older. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets — including brands such as Fortamet, Glumetza, and Metformin Hydrochloride Extended Release — are approved for adults only.

See full Metformin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Homotaurine

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Homotaurine — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
2,829 No interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Homotaurine against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Homotaurine list.

See the full Homotaurine interactions page
See every supplement checked against Metformin, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Homotaurine References

The 15 references that drive our Homotaurine monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Aisen PS, Gauthier S, Vellas B, et al. Alzhemed: a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2007;4:473-8.
  2. Greenberg SM, Rosand J, Schneider AT, et al. A phase 2 study of tramiprosate for cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2006;20:269-74. PubMed
  3. Aisen PS, Saumier D, Briand R, et al. A Phase II study targeting amyloid-beta with 3APS in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2006;67:1757-63.
  4. Wright TM. Tramiprosate. Drugs Today (Barc) 2006;42:291-8.
  5. Wong GT. FDA deems US Alzhemed trial results inconclusive. Alzheimer Research Forum. August 28, 2007. Available at: www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=1647. (Accessed 26 May 2009).
  6. McCaffrey P, Strobel G. Philadelphia: European trial of Alzhemed ends, marketing morphs to supplement. Alzheimer Research Forum. November 19, 2007. Available at: www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=1691. (Accessed 26 May 2009).
  7. Bossú P, Salani F, Ciaramella A, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of homotaurine in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Front Aging Neurosci. 2018;10:285. PubMed
  8. Abushakra S, Porsteinsson A, Scheltens P, et al. Clinical effects of tramiprosate in APOE4/4 homozygous patients with mild Alzheimer's disease suggest disease modification potential. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2017;4(3):149-156. PubMed
  9. Spalletta G, Cravello L, Gianni W, et al. Homotaurine effects on hippocampal volume loss and episodic memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(3):807-16. PubMed
  10. Ricciardi L, De Nigris F, Specchia A, Fasano A. Homotaurine in Parkinson's disease. Neurol Sci. 2015;36(9):1581-7. PubMed
  11. Gauthier S, Aisen PS, Ferris SH, et al. Effect of tramiprosate in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: exploratory analyses of the MRI sub-group of the Alphase study. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009;13(6):550-7. PubMed
  12. Aisen PS, Gauthier S, Ferris SH, et al. Tramiprosate in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre study (the Alphase Study). Arch Med Sci. 2011;7(1):102-11. PubMed
  13. Marino PF, Rossi GCM, Campagna G, et al. Effects of citicoline, homotaurine, and vitamin E on contrast sensitivity and visual-related quality of life in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A preliminary study. Molecules. 2020 Nov 29;25(23):5614. PubMed
  14. Toppi E, Sireno L, Lembo M, et al. IL-33 and IL-10 Serum Levels Increase in MCI Patients Following Homotaurine Treatment. Front Immunol 2022;13:813951. PubMed
  15. Rossi GCM, Rolle T, De Silvestri A, et al. Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Single Blind, Cross-Over Study on the Effect of a Fixed Combination of Citicoline 500 mg Plus Homotaurine 50 mg on Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) in Patients With Open Angl

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Homotaurine and Metformin Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Homotaurine with Metformin?
We do not list a known interaction between Homotaurine and Metformin. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Homotaurine and Metformin have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 5 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Does Metformin interact with any supplements?
Yes. Metformin has documented interactions with 258 supplements in our database — Homotaurine is not one of them. The Metformin interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Where next

Keep Exploring

Homotaurine monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Metformin drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Metformin supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Metformin, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 15 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Metformin and Homotaurine?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.