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Dietary supplement

D-Ribose Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Earthborn Elements

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

D-Ribose is a dietary supplement by Earthborn Elements with 1 active ingredient. 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 Earthborn Elements

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 simple sugar your cells naturally produce and use for energy. Ribose is sold as a dietary supplement intended to support athletic performance, muscle recovery, and certain heart and neurological conditions, though the evidence for most of these uses is limited or not yet established.

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 is mixed and incomplete. For athletic performance and McArdle disease (a rare metabolic disorder), ribose is rated possibly ineffective based on available research.

For restless legs syndrome, muscle soreness, congestive heart failure, and recovery after bypass surgery, there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works. If you're considering ribose for any of these reasons, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current evidence actually supports.

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.

Ribose is generally well tolerated in the short term (up to about 1 month in studies), but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. The main concern is that it can lower your blood sugar.

Common side effects when taken by mouth include diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, and in some cases low blood sugar. A few people have reported anxiety, lightheadedness, or increased appetite, and in one study, lowering the dose resolved the anxiety.

Lowering the dose also resolved nausea in one case. There isn't enough safety information to recommend ribose during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.

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 you start Earthborn Elements D-Ribose, double-check it against insulin and any antidiabetes drugs (blood-sugar–lowering medications) you take. Both are rated Moderate interactions—ribose can increase the blood-sugar–lowering effect and raise your risk of low blood sugar.

Your doctor may need to monitor your levels or adjust your dose.

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 may be worth considering if you're interested in athletic support or heart health, but the evidence for most uses is thin or lacking. If you take insulin or any blood-sugar–lowering medication, check with your pharmacist first—ribose can lower blood sugar further.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it until you've talked with your doctor.

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 Dec 21, 2024.

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 Earthborn Elements
Net contents 200 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 21, 2024
DSLD ID 319547
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
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 D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
5 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
40
IngredientAmount% DV
D-Ribose2250 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin

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

Suggested use: Take 5 capsules once daily. Take with at least 8 oz of liquid.

Precautions

If you have diabetes, are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications, consult your physician.

General Statements

Questions? Concerns? Scan this code with your phone's camera to chat with us online and get 20% coupon for your next Amazon Earthborn Elements order!

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements

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

Serving size5 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container40 Amounts shown are per serving.

D-Ribose

Interacts with
86 drugs
2250 mg 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

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

Interaction report

D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements 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.

Earthborn Elements

See all Earthborn Elements products
Name
Earthborn Elements
Street Address
9450 SW Gemini Dr #49936
City
Beaverton
State
Oregon
ZipCode
97008
Web Address
Earthbornelements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements: Common Questions

Does D-Ribose by Earthborn Elements 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 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.
Can I take this if I use insulin or diabetes medication?
Not without checking with your doctor first. Ribose can lower blood sugar on its own and may make your insulin or diabetes medication work harder, raising your risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar or adjust your dose.
Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information about ribose in pregnancy or lactation, so it's best avoided in both cases. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to be.
What are the most common side effects?
Diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, and nausea are the most frequent. Some people have also reported low blood sugar, anxiety, or lightheadedness. In studies, lowering the dose resolved nausea and anxiety in some cases.
How long is it safe to take?
In research, ribose has been studied for up to about 1 month and is generally well tolerated over that window. Long-term safety beyond that hasn't been well studied, so don't rely on this supplement long-term without talking to your doctor.
Does it actually work for athletic performance?
The evidence doesn't support that. Ribose is rated possibly ineffective for athletic performance based on current research. If you're looking to boost your workout recovery, talk with your trainer or doctor about approaches with stronger evidence behind them.
What is D-ribose, and why is it in a supplement?
D-ribose is a simple sugar your body makes naturally and uses for energy in your cells. It's sold as a supplement because some early research suggested it might help with heart health, muscle recovery, and a few other conditions—but for most of those uses, the evidence isn't solid yet.

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.

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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