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Dietary supplement

Betaine Hydrochloride Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

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

Betaine Hydrochloride is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), bloating and gas, indigestion.Based on those ingredients, 36 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Betaine Hydrochloride. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories

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.

This supplement contains one active ingredient: betaine hydrochloride. It's a compound that increases the acidity in your stomach.

The capsule also holds cellulose, gelatin, water, silica, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients—standard binders and fillers that help form and stabilize the capsule.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Betaine Hydrochloride's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: stomach acid support for digestion.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, hypochlorhydria, indigestion, protein malabsorption.
  • The closest evidence on file: Betaine Hydrochloride is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold isn't established for the uses typically associated with betaine hydrochloride—indigestion (dyspepsia), low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) all show insufficient reliable evidence to rate its effectiveness. If you're considering this supplement for one of these purposes, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the science supports it for you.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Betaine Hydrochloride

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.

Betaine hydrochloride can irritate your stomach and isn't safe if you have ulcers, gastritis, or true acid reflux disease. The compound may trigger or worsen heartburn and could interfere with ulcer healing.

There isn't enough safety data to recommend this supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so those are times to avoid it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Betaine Hydrochloride

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Betaine Hydrochloride.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 36 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 supplement, check with your pharmacist or doctor if you take any of the following: H2-blockers or other acid reducers, antacids, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Betaine hydrochloride works by raising stomach acid and may decrease the effects of all three drug types.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Betaine hydrochloride is meant to increase stomach acid, so it's not suitable if you have ulcers, gastritis, or acid reflux. If you take medications to lower stomach acid—H2-blockers, antacids, or PPIs—this supplement could reduce their effectiveness.

Check your medications with your pharmacist before starting, and avoid it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

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 23, 2016.

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 Betaine Hydrochloride, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 745287200254
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2016
DSLD ID 57099
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) 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 Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories, 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)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
745287200254
IngredientAmount% DV
Betaine Hydrochloride648 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Gelatin, Water, Silica, Magnesium Stearate

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 capsule just before or during each meal or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Betaine Hydrochloride is a dietary supplement which adds hydrochloric acid to the stomach. Do not use if gastric hyperacidity or peptic ulcers are present. These capsules are intended to be taken whole, not pulled apart.

Tamper resistant package, do not use if outer seal is missing.

Storage

For optimal storage conditions, store in a cool, dry place. (59(0)-77(0)F/15(0)-25(0)C) (35-65% relative humidity)

General

HCL

See for yourself

Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Betaine Hydrochloride

Interacts with
36 drugs
648 mg per serving

Betaine hydrochloride is a supplement used to temporarily increase stomach acid in people who may have low acid levels. Evidence for its benefits is l...

Betaine Hydrochloride monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Gelatin, Water, Silica, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Betaine Hydrochloride?

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
36Drugs
36 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Betaine Hydrochloride 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.

Betaine Hydrochloride3 drug types · 36 drugs

Antacids

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of antacids.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. Antacids are taken to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with antacids might decrease the effects of the antacids.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
H2-Blockers

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of H2-blockers.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with H2-blockers might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Proton Pump Inhibitors (Ppis)

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of PPIs.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. PPIs are used to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with PPIs might decrease the effects of PPIs

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Betaine Hydrochloride, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Betaine Hydrochloride by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Betaine Hydrochloride has a known interaction with 36 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Betaine Hydrochloride 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 does betaine hydrochloride do?
It increases the acidity in your stomach. This supplement is typically marketed for digestive support and nutrient absorption, though the evidence for those uses isn't established in the data we hold.
Can I take this if I have acid reflux or GERD?
No. Betaine hydrochloride raises stomach acid and can irritate your stomach or worsen reflux symptoms. It's not safe for people with true acid reflux disease.
Will this interact with my acid reflux medication?
Very likely. If you take H2-blockers (like famotidine), antacids, or PPIs (like omeprazole), this supplement may reduce how well those medications work. Check the exact names of your medications with your pharmacist before starting.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information, so both pregnancy and breastfeeding are times to avoid this supplement. Talk with your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
What side effects might I notice?
The main concern is stomach irritation and heartburn. If you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer, this supplement could irritate it or slow healing. Stop taking it and talk with your doctor if you develop heartburn or stomach pain.

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

Not sure if Betaine Hydrochloride 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.

Betaine Hydrochloride label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Betaine Hydrochloride'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 2 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.

Betaine Hydrochloride 2 references
  1. Yago MR, Frymoyer A, Benet LZ, Smelick GS, Frassetto LA, Ding X, Dean B, Salphati L, Budha N, Jin JY, Dresser MJ, Ware JA. The use of betaine HCl to enhance dasatinib absorption in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. AAPS J. 2014 PubMed
  2. Yago MR, Frymoyer AR, Smelick GS, Frassetto LA, Budha NR, Dresser MJ, Ware JA, Benet LZ. Gastric reacidification with betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. Mol Pharm. 2013 Nov 4;10(11):4032-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Betaine Hydrochloride 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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