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 Source Naturals

D-Ribose label
See full label image
Powder Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking D-Ribose 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

D-Ribose is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals 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.

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Check Your Meds Against D-Ribose by Source Naturals

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with D-Ribose by Source Naturals — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of D-Ribose by Source Naturals

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 23, 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 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 naturally occurring sugar that your body uses to produce energy in your cells. There are no inactive ingredients listed for this powder form.

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 Ribose's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Enhances ATP energy levels.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Congestive heart failure (CHF), Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, Coronary heart disease (CHD) — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Ribose is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Ribose is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Coronary heart disease (CHD), Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Congestive heart failure (CHF), Fibromyalgia, and more.

The evidence for D-Ribose is mixed and limited. For athletic performance and McArdle disease (a rare muscle disorder), it's rated possibly ineffective — meaning studies haven't shown it works for those uses.

For restless legs syndrome, muscle soreness, congestive heart failure, and recovery after heart bypass surgery, there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it helps or doesn't. If you're thinking about using it for one of these reasons, it's worth talking to your doctor about whether the evidence supports it for your particular situation.

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 in short-term use (up to about a month in studies), but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. The most common side effects taken by mouth are diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, and low blood sugar.

Some people report anxiety, lightheadedness, or increased appetite — though lowering the dose has resolved these in some cases. Because ribose can lower blood sugar, caution is needed if you're watching your glucose levels.

There isn't enough safety information to recommend D-Ribose during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.

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 this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on insulin or antidiabetes drugs (like metformin, glipizide, or glyburide). Ribose can lower blood sugar, and combining it with these medications raises your risk of hypoglycemia.

No other medication interactions are documented for the ingredients we checked.

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

D-Ribose may appeal to people looking to support energy or muscle function, but the evidence for most common uses is weak or unclear. The main concern is blood sugar — if you take insulin or diabetes medication, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, because ribose can add to their effect.

For anyone else, short-term use is generally well tolerated, but discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider first.

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 Jan 25, 2020.

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 Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078020066
Net contents 100 Gram(s); 3.53 Oz(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2020
DSLD ID 213795
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 D-Ribose by Source Naturals, 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
20
UPC/BARCODE
021078020066
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories20 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates5 Gram(s)2%
Sugar5 Gram(s)--
D-Ribose5 Gram(s)--

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

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Enhances ATP energy levels

Suitable for vegetarians.

Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy or wheat. Contains no starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Formula

During strenuous exercise, large amounts of ATP, the body's primary energy-carrying molecule, can be depleted from the heart and skeletal muscle cells. D-Ribose is a simple sugar that is used by the body to synthesize nucleotides, ATP, nucleic acids, and glycogen.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 rounded teaspoon daily.

Precautions

Caution: If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, breastfeeding, have gout or any glucose metabolism disorders such as diabetes or hypoglycemia, or if you are taking any prescription drug, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

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.

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

See for yourself

D-Ribose by Source Naturals label

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

D-Ribose 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 D-Ribose by Source Naturals

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

Serving size5 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container20 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 Gram(s) per serving

D-Ribose

Interacts with
86 drugs
5 Gram(s) 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 Source Naturals 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

D-Ribose 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in D-Ribose interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in D-Ribose interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. D-Ribose

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
D-Ribose full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Source Naturals

Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

D-Ribose by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does D-Ribose by Source Naturals 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 take blood sugar medication?
Not without checking first. Ribose lowers blood sugar, and combining it with diabetes medications or insulin raises your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's safe for you and how to monitor your glucose if you do use it.
Will this help with my muscle soreness or athletic performance?
The evidence doesn't support it. For athletic performance and muscle soreness, ribose either hasn't been shown to work or there isn't enough reliable research yet. Your doctor or a sports medicine specialist can suggest options with better evidence.
Is D-Ribose safe to take long-term?
We don't know. Studies have looked at short-term use (up to about a month), and it's generally well tolerated then. But long-term safety hasn't been well studied, so it's worth discussing with your doctor if you're thinking of using it regularly.
What side effects might I get?
The most common are diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, and low blood sugar. Some people report anxiety, lightheadedness, or increased appetite. If side effects happen, lowering your dose has helped in some cases.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information, so it's best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing — they can help you decide.

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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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
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind D-Ribose’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Ribose

Interacts with 86 drugs

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, fibromyalgia, exercise recovery, or heart conditio...

Read the full Ribose monograph →
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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