Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 1 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Branched Chain Amino Acids Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Branched Chain Amino Acids is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for general amino acid/protein support, muscle and tissue health, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 3 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Threonine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Branched Chain Amino Acids 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 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 4 branched chain amino acids: L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, and L-Threonine. These are amino acids your body uses to build and repair muscle and other tissues.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — cellulose, gelatin, and vegetable stearate — that help form and deliver the capsule.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Threonine product and its label doesn't state a use — see Threonine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for threonine alone in treating muscle and nerve conditions is limited or mixed. For ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), the data we hold suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For multiple sclerosis, familial spastic paraparesis, and spasticity, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. The data we hold does not include effectiveness ratings for the other three amino acids in this product.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Threonine

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.

Threonine from food is well tolerated, but supplement safety at higher doses hasn't been well studied. Some people taking threonine supplements have reported headache and minor stomach upset, including diarrhea, gas, or constipation.

The safety data advises against threonine supplements in pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a clinician advises otherwise, since supplement use at these times hasn't been well studied. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Threonine

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Threonine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 3 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.

Check any NMDA antagonists you may be taking before you add this product — threonine may reduce their effectiveness. We could not check three of the four ingredients in this supplement, so discuss your full medication list with your pharmacist.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a branched chain amino acid blend — useful for people who want to support muscle and tissue repair. Anyone taking NMDA antagonists should check their exact medication with your pharmacist first.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any prescription drugs, have that conversation before you start.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 1, 2012.

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 Branched Chain Amino Acids, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539003299
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 1, 2012
DSLD ID 8825
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Branched Chain Amino Acids 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
100
UPC/BARCODE
310539003299
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Leucine150 mg--
L-Isoleucine150 mg--
L-Valine150 mg--
L-Threonine10 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Gelatin, Vegetable 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.
Formulation

This product contains NO yeast, wheat gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

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

Formula #7488

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Branched Chain Amino Acids by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Branched Chain Amino Acids by Douglas Laboratories

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 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.

L-Leucine

150 mg per serving

L-Isoleucine

150 mg per serving

L-Valine

150 mg per serving

L-Threonine

Interacts with
3 drugs
10 mg per serving

Threonine is an essential amino acid your body needs but cannot make, so you must get it from food or supplements. Most people get plenty from a norma...

L-Threonine monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Branched Chain Amino Acids by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Branched Chain Amino Acids?

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
3Drugs
3 Major

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Branched Chain Amino Acids 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.

L-Threonine1 drug type · 3 drugs

Nmda Antagonists

Theoretically, threonine might decrease the effects of NMDA antagonists.
Threonine increases central nervous system (CNS) glycine levels. Glycine seems to bind a site on NMDA receptors and enhance the activity of the receptors.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Branched Chain Amino Acids, 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

Branched Chain Amino Acids by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Branched Chain Amino Acids by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Branched Chain Amino Acids has a known interaction with 3 medications, including 3 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Branched Chain Amino Acids contains 4 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.
What are branched chain amino acids, and what do they do?
Branched chain amino acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine) are amino acids your body uses to build and repair muscle and other tissues. This product also includes L-Threonine, another amino acid with similar roles in your body.
Does threonine help with ALS or multiple sclerosis?
For ALS, the evidence we have suggests threonine is possibly ineffective. For multiple sclerosis and related nerve conditions, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works.
What side effects has threonine caused?
Some people have reported headache and mild stomach upset, including diarrhea, gas, or constipation. Threonine from food is generally well tolerated; supplements at higher doses haven't been well studied.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against threonine supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding since supplement use at these times hasn't been well studied. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What's in the capsule besides the amino acids?
The capsule contains cellulose, gelatin, and vegetable stearate — inactive ingredients that help form and deliver the product.

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

Not sure if Branched Chain Amino Acids 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.

Branched Chain Amino Acids label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Branched Chain Amino Acids’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Branched Chain Amino Acids'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 4 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.

Threonine 4 references
  1. Tandan R, Bromberg MB, Forshew D, et al. A controlled trial of amino acid therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: I. Clinical, functional, and maximum isometric torque data. Neurology 1996;47:1220-6. PubMed
  2. Lee A, Patterson V. A double blind study of L-threonine in patients with spinal spasticity. Acta Neurol Scand 1993;88:334-8. PubMed
  3. Blin O, Pouget J, Aubrespy G, et al. A double-blind placebo controlled trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 1992;239:79-81.
  4. Roufs JB. L-threonine as a symptomatic treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Med Hypotheses 1991;34:20-3. PubMed

See these in context on the Threonine 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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