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Dietary supplement

Advanced Stress Support Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by The Vitamin Shoppe

Advanced Stress Support label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Advanced Stress Support 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Advanced Stress Support is a dietary supplement by The Vitamin Shoppe with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, relaxation and calm, sleep support.Based on those ingredients, 581 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Suntheanine L-Theanine, Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product has 2 active ingredients: Suntheanine L-Theanine and Cyracos Lemon Balm extract. Theanine is an amino acid that research suggests may help with focus and calm — we have some evidence it's possibly effective for cognitive function.

Lemon balm is a plant extract that's possibly effective for stress and cold sores, and may have mild calming properties. The product also contains inactive ingredients (cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide) that serve as fillers and binders in the capsule.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: relaxation and stress support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Stress, Insomnia, nervousness, restlessness.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lemon Balm is rated "Possibly Effective" for Stress (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lemon Balm is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety, Insomnia.
  • Also on file: Theanine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Insomnia, Stress.

Theanine shows possibly reliable evidence for cognitive function — meaning there's some research backing it, though it's not definitive. For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, generalized anxiety, OCD, and cancer, the evidence we hold isn't established enough to rate it.

Lemon balm has possibly effective evidence for both stress and depression, and also for cold sores if you apply it topically. That said, the evidence for these uses exists but isn't airtight — talk with us about whether it fits what you're looking for.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Theanine Lemon Balm

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Both ingredients are generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but neither has strong long-term safety data. Theanine may cause headaches, drowsiness, or changes in sleep and dreams.

Lemon balm occasionally causes dizziness or sedation in some people, though study data suggests these don't happen more often than with placebo. A rare case of heart rhythm changes and QT prolongation has been reported with a product containing lemon balm, but it's unclear whether lemon balm itself caused it.

During pregnancy, the safety data isn't reliable enough — it's best to avoid both ingredients unless your doctor advises otherwise. While breastfeeding, lemon balm safety information is limited, so check with your doctor first; theanine also lacks breastfeeding data.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Theanine Lemon Balm

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lemon Balm, Theanine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 581 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 this product, double-check your exact blood pressure medications (Moderate severity), any sedatives or sleep aids you take (Moderate with lemon balm, Minor with theanine), and thyroid hormone replacement if you use one (Moderate). If you're on serotonin-based antidepressants, those carry a Minor interaction with theanine.

Use the medication checker below with your full list.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

If you take blood pressure medications, sedatives, sleep aids, thyroid replacements, or serotonin-based antidepressants, you need to check this product against your specific drugs before starting — the interaction potential is real. This might be worth considering if you're looking for stress support or cognitive help and your medications don't conflict, but talk to your pharmacist first to be sure.

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 Mar 25, 2014.

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 Advanced Stress Support, straight from the product label.

Brand The Vitamin Shoppe
Barcode (UPC) 766536042579
Net contents 30 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2014
DSLD ID 31836
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
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 Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
766536042579
IngredientAmount% DV
Suntheanine L-Theanine200 mg--
Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm300 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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.
General Statements

specialty

relaxation stress

{veggie capsule} actual size

Visit www.vitaminshoppe.com or call 1-800-223-1216 for more information and to reorder.

FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Formulation

gluten free dairy free soy free nut free

Does not contain: Yeast, Corn, Wheat, Gluten, Sugar, Salt, Soy, Starch, Dairy, Citrus, Fish, Animal Derivatives, Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors Added.

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) veggie capsule twice daily, preferably with meals.

Precautions

WARNING: Consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have any medical conditions.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

TAMPER EVIDENT Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.

Storage

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE.

General

Item No. VS-4257 1777002 HN 52

Brand IP Statement(s)

Suntheanine(R) is a registered trademark of Taiyo International, Inc. Use of Suntheanine(R) is protected by US Trademark Registration No. 2,548,957. Cyracos(R) is a registered trademark of Naturex, Inc.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe label

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

Advanced Stress Support label

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)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Suntheanine L-Theanine

Interacts with
565 drugs
200 mg per serving

Theanine (usually L-theanine) is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves that many people take to feel calmer and less stressed without strong dro...

Suntheanine L-Theanine monograph & interactions

Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm

Interacts with
264 drugs
300 mg per serving

Lemon balm is a gentle, lemon-scented mint-family herb traditionally used to ease stress, support sleep, and calm digestion, and topically for cold so...

Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Advanced Stress Support?

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
581Drugs
435 Moderate 146 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Suntheanine L-Theanine 565
Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm 264

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Advanced Stress Support interact with 581 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Advanced Stress Support interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Suntheanine L-Theanine Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Advanced Stress Support 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.

Suntheanine L-Theanine3 drug types · 565 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theanine might lower blood pressure, potentiating the effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research shows that theanine can lower blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive animals. Theoretically, concomitant use of theanine and antihypertensive drugs might potentiate the antihypertensive activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, theanine might have additive sedative effects when used in conjunction with CNS depressants. However, it is unclear if this concern is clinically relevant.
Theoretically, theanine may compete with glutamate and/or increase plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, which could cause CNS depression. In one clinical study, some subjects taking oral theanine reported drowsiness.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Clinical studies regarding the effects of L-theanine on serotonin levels are conflicting. Some studies suggest it can increase serotonin levels in the brain while others report that it may decrease them. Nevertheless, there have been no reports of l-theanine being a causative agent in serotonergic-related side effects or serotonin syndrome.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence C
Suntheanine L-Theanine full monograph & interactions

Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm2 drug types · 264 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of lemon balm might have additive effects with CNS depressant drugs.
Lemon balm seems to have CNS depressant activity in animals and in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, lemon balm might interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
In vitro, constituents of lemon balm extract bind to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), preventing TSH receptor-binding and leading to the inhibition of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In animals, lemon balm extract has been shown to decrease levels of circulating TSH and inhibit thyroid secretion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyracos(R) Lemon Balm full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Advanced Stress Support, from the product label.

The Vitamin Shoppe

See all The Vitamin Shoppe products
Name
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
City
Secaucus
State
NJ
ZipCode
07094
Phone Number
1-800-223-1216
Web Address
www.vitaminshoppe.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe: Common Questions

Does Advanced Stress Support by The Vitamin Shoppe interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Advanced Stress Support has a known interaction with 581 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Advanced Stress Support contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Is it safe to take this while I'm pregnant?
The safety data for both ingredients during pregnancy isn't reliable enough, so it's best to avoid them unless your doctor advises otherwise. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Lemon balm has limited safety information for breastfeeding — use caution and talk to your doctor first. Theanine doesn't have enough safety data either. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide.
What side effects might I notice?
Theanine may cause headaches, drowsiness, or changes to your sleep and dreams. Lemon balm can occasionally cause dizziness or sedation, though these don't appear to happen more often than placebo in studies.
Does theanine actually help with focus and stress?
Theanine has possibly effective evidence for cognitive function — there's some research backing it, but it's not definitive. For stress and anxiety specifically, the evidence we hold isn't established enough to rate.
What is lemon balm supposed to do in this formula?
Lemon balm is possibly effective for stress and depression, and it may have mild calming properties. It's also possibly effective for cold sores if applied topically.
How long is it safe to use this product?
Both ingredients are generally well tolerated for short-term use, but long-term safety isn't well studied. If you're thinking of using it for weeks or months, check with your pharmacist first.

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

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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.

Advanced Stress Support label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Advanced Stress Support’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Theanine

Interacts with 565 drugs

Theanine (usually L-theanine) is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves that many people take to feel calmer and less stressed without strong drowsiness. Early research suggests it may...

Read the full Theanine monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Lemon Balm

Interacts with 264 drugs

Lemon balm is a gentle, lemon-scented mint-family herb traditionally used to ease stress, support sleep, and calm digestion, and topically for cold sores. Early studies are promising but gen...

Read the full Lemon Balm monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Advanced Stress Support'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 18 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.

Theanine 6 references
  1. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M. Hypotensive effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Life Sci 1998;62:1065-8.
  2. Haskell, C. F., Kennedy, D. O., Milne, A. L., Wesnes, K. A., and Scholey, A. B. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol.Psychol. 2008;77(2):113-122. PubMed
  3. Yokogoshi, H., Kato, Y., Sagesaka, Y. M., Takihara-Matsuura, T., Kakuda, T., and Takeuchi, N. Reduction effect of theanine on blood pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 1995;59(4):615-618. PubMed
  4. Lyon MR, Kapoor MP, Juneja LR. The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):348-
  5. Hidese S, Ota M, Wakabayashi C, et al. Effects of chronic l-theanine administration in patients with major depressive disorder: an open-label study. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2017;29(2):72-9.
  6. Tsuchiya T, Honda H, Oikawa M, et al. Oral administration of the amino acids cystine and theanine attenuates the adverse events of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Int J Clin Oncol 2016;21(6):1085-90. PubMed

See these in context on the Theanine monograph →

Lemon Balm 12 references
  1. Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:25-31.
  2. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, et al. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:863-6. PubMed
  3. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002;72:953-64. PubMed
  4. Albrecht M, Berger W, Laux P, Schmidt U, et al. Psychopharmaka und Verkehrssicherheit. Der Einfluß von Euvegal® - Dragees forte auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und Kombinationswirkungen mit Alkohol Z Allg Med 1995;71:1215-25.
  5. Herberg, KW. Nebenwirkungen pflanzlicher Beruhigungsmittel/ Leistung und Befinden nach Einnahme einer Baldrian-Hopfen-Kombination. Z.Allg Med 1996;72:234-240.
  6. Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991 Apr;57:105-9.
  7. Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, et al. Antihormonal effects of plant extracts. TSH- and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale and other plants. Planta Med. 1982 Jun;45:78-86. DOI
  8. Auf'mkolk M, Ingbar JC, Amir SM, et al. Inhibition by certain plant extracts of the binding and adenylate cyclase stimulatory effect of bovine thyrotropin in human thyroid membranes. Endocrinology. 1984 Aug;115:527-34. PubMed
  9. Santini F, Vitti P, Ceccarini G, et al. In vitro assay of thyroid disruptors affecting TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Oct;26:950-5. PubMed
  10. Alijaniha F, et al. Heart palpitation relief with Melissa officinalis leaf extract: double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial of efficacy and safety. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;164:378-384. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Feb 11. PubMed
  11. Araj-Khodaei M, Noorbala AA, Yarani R, et al. A double-blind, randomized pilot study for comparison of Melissa officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. with Fluoxetine for the treatment of depression. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):207. PubMed
  12. Kucuk U, Pham M, Raza Raja MH, Saad Shaukat MH, Clark R. Transient complete atrioventricular block associated with herbal supplement use. S D Med 2023;76(7):311-313.

See these in context on the Lemon Balm 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

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