Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

D-Ribose Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Biotics Research Corporation

Liquid Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

D-Ribose is a dietary supplement by Biotics Research Corporation with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for energy and fatigue, athletic performance and recovery, fibromyalgia symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are D-Ribose. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation

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 product contains one active ingredient: D-Ribose, a five-carbon sugar. The liquid form contains no other inactive ingredients on file.

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 Ribose product and its label doesn't state a use — see Ribose'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 D-Ribose isn't strong for most uses. For athletic performance and McArdle disease, it's rated possibly ineffective.

For restless legs syndrome, heart failure, muscle soreness, and recovery after heart bypass surgery, we hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Ribose

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.

D-Ribose is generally well tolerated over the short term — up to about a month — but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. It does lower blood sugar, which is important to know if you're at risk for low blood sugar.

The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, and low blood sugar. Some people report lightheadedness, increased appetite, and mild anxiety.

Lowering the dose has resolved nausea and anxiety in studies. There isn't enough safety information to use this during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Ribose

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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Ribose.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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 D-Ribose, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use insulin or antidiabetes drugs (like metformin, sulfonylureas, or GLP-1 agonists). Both carry a Moderate severity interaction — ribose may increase their blood-sugar-lowering effect and raise your risk of low blood sugar.

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. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

D-Ribose might appeal to someone looking for help with heart or muscle function, but the evidence for it is thin. If you take insulin or blood-sugar-lowering medication, this product carries a real risk and needs clearance from your doctor or pharmacist first.

Pregnant or nursing? The safety data just isn't there — check with your healthcare provider before use.

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 May 24, 2013.

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 D-Ribose, straight from the product label.

Brand Biotics Research Corporation
Net contents 300 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2013
DSLD ID 21683
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Liquid
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 D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation, 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:
5 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
5 Gram(s)
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories20 {Calories}--
Total Carbohydrates5 g2%
Sugar5 g--
D-Ribose5 g--

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

RECOMMENDATION: One (1) serving mixed with 6 to 8 ounces of water or other beverage, taken twice daily or as otherwise directed by a healthcare professional.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry area at room temperature away from direct light. Container should be resealed immediately after use.

Precautions

Caution: Insulin dependent diabetics should consult their physicians before use of this product. Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

SEALED FOR PROTECTION

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

General

Rev. 9/07

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

D-Ribose is a white to slightly yellow, naturally occuring five carbon sugar with a neutral to slightly sweet taste.

Brand IP Statement(s)

(C) Copyright 2007

See for yourself

D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation

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

Serving size5 Gram(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 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.

Sugar

5 g per serving

D-Ribose

Interacts with
86 drugs
5 g per serving

Ribose (D-ribose) is a simple sugar your body makes naturally and uses to build energy molecules like ATP. Some people take it for fatigue, fibromyalg...

D-Ribose monograph & interactions
Interaction report

D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against D-Ribose?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in D-Ribose 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.

D-Ribose2 drug types · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking ribose in combination with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In clinical research, ribose decreases serum glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Insulin

Theoretically, taking ribose with insulin could increase the hypoglycemic effect of insulin.
In clinical pharmacokinetic studies, oral administration of ribose modestly increased serum insulin levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for D-Ribose, from the product label.

Biotics Research Corporation

See all Biotics Research Corporation products
Name
BIOTICS RESEARCH CORP.
City
Rosenberg
State
Texas
Phone Number
(281) 344-0909
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation: Common Questions

Does D-Ribose by Biotics Research Corporation interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, D-Ribose has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
D-Ribose 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.
Can I take D-Ribose if I have diabetes or use insulin?
Not without checking first. Ribose lowers blood sugar and may boost how much your insulin or diabetes medication works, raising your risk of low blood sugar. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they'll decide if it's safe for your situation and whether you need to adjust your dose.
What are the most common side effects?
Diarrhea, nausea, stomach discomfort, headache, and low blood sugar are the main ones reported. Some people also notice lightheadedness, increased appetite, or mild anxiety. Lowering the dose has helped resolve nausea and anxiety in studies.
Is D-Ribose safe to take long-term?
It's generally well tolerated for up to a month, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking of taking it beyond that, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does D-Ribose actually help athletic performance?
According to our data, the evidence rates it as possibly ineffective for athletic performance, so we don't have strong support for that use.
Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information, so it's best avoided in both cases. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

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

Not sure if D-Ribose is safe with your meds?

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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.

D-Ribose label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

D-Ribose'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 8 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.

Ribose 8 references
  1. Segal S, Foley J. The metabolism of D-ribose in man. J Clin Invest 1958;37:719-35. PubMed
  2. Perlmutter NS, Wilson RA, Angello DA, et al. Ribose facilitates thallium-201 redistribution in patients with coronary artery disease. J Nucl Med 1991;32:193-200.
  3. Hegewald MG, Palac RT, Angello DA, et al. Ribose infusion accelerates thallium redistribution with early imaging compared with late 24-hour imaging without ribose. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991;18:1671-81. PubMed
  4. Pliml W, von Arnim T, Stalein A, et al. Effects of ribose on excercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease. Lancet 1992;340:507-10.
  5. Burke ER. D-Ribose What You Need To Know. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group 1999;1-43.
  6. Gross M, Reiter S, Zollner N. Metabolism of D-ribose administered continuously to healthy persons and to patients with myoadenylate deaminase deficiency. Klin Wochenschr 1989;67:1205-13. PubMed
  7. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:857-62. PubMed
  8. Thompson J, Neutel J, Homer K, Tempero K, Shah A, Khankari R. Evaluation of D-ribose pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, food effect, and pharmacodynamics after oral solution administration in healthy male and female subjects. J Clin Pharmacol 2014;54 PubMed

See these in context on the Ribose 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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