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Dietary supplement

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW Sports

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

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg is a dietary supplement by NOW Sports 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 Bioenergy Ribose. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports

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 a single active ingredient: Bioenergy Ribose at 5,000 mg per serving. Ribose is a five-carbon sugar your cells use to make energy.

There are no inactive ingredients listed for this powder.

Does it work?

Leans against
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
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: energy and athletic performance support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Muscle soreness, Congestive heart failure (CHF), Coronary heart disease (CHD) — and 2 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 ribose's effectiveness is mixed. It appears to be possibly ineffective for athletic performance and McArdle disease.

For other uses—restless legs syndrome, congestive heart failure, muscle soreness, and recovery after bypass surgery—the evidence isn't established enough to rate. If you're considering ribose for one of these purposes, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether the current data supports it for your specific 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.

Ribose is generally well tolerated for short-term use (up to about a month), but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. The most common side effects when taken by mouth are diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, nausea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Some people have also reported a hyperanxious feeling, lightheadedness, increased appetite, and mild anxiety—though lowering the dose resolved these in at least one study. Nausea and gastrointestinal issues also improved when dose was reduced.

Because of insufficient safety data, ribose should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

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 take this, double-check any insulin you're on and any antidiabetes drugs (metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, and others)—both are Moderate severity interactions. Ribose can lower your blood sugar, and combining it with these medications could push it too low.

Have that conversation with your pharmacist first.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

D-Ribose may be worth considering if you're exploring options for athletic recovery or heart-related conditions, though the evidence is limited. If you take insulin or any blood sugar medication, this product isn't safe without checking your specific drugs first—low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a real risk.

Talk with your pharmacist before starting, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

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 Aug 22, 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 Powder 5000 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW Sports
Barcode (UPC) 733739021472
Net contents 8 Ounce(s); 227 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 22, 2024
DSLD ID 314365
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Halal, Gluten 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 Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports, 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
45
UPC/BARCODE
733739021472
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories20 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates5 Gram(s)2%
Bioenergy Ribose5 Gram(s)--
Total Sugars5 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested usage: Take 1 1/2 level teaspoons daily, prior to exercise.

Formula

Ribose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in all living cells. Ribose is the structural backbone of ATP, the primary form of energy used for all cellular processes. Demand for ATP availability is especially critical in the heart and skeletal muscle and Ribose supplementation can help to maintain optimal energy levels in these tissues.

Crescent H (Halal)

Bioenergy RIBOSE

Triangle K (Kosher)

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.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only.

Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not eat freshness packet enclosed.

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Formulation

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Energy production Muscle fuel ATP production

Steroid free Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

Vegan

Packaged and quality tested in the USA.

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place after opening.

This product is sold by weight not volume.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Quality Assured Crescent H (Halal)

Informed Sport We Test - You Trust Triangle K (Kosher) Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Bioenergy RIBOSE is a registered trademark of Bioenergy Life Science, Inc. Use of ribose is licensed by Bioenergy Life Science, Inc. under U.S. Patents and foreign patents issued and pending.

See for yourself

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports

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

Serving size5 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bioenergy Ribose

Interacts with
86 drugs
5 Gram(s) per serving Form: D-Ribose, Powder

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...

Bioenergy Ribose monograph & interactions
Interaction report

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg?

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 Powder 5000 mg 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.

Bioenergy 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 Powder 5000 mg, from the product label.

NOW Sports

See all NOW Sports products
Name
NOW Foods
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowsportsproducts.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports: Common Questions

Does D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg by NOW Sports interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg 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 Powder 5000 mg 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.
Will D-Ribose help my athletic performance?
The evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective for athletic performance. If that's your main reason for considering it, the current data doesn't support that use.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones are diarrhea, stomach discomfort, nausea, and headache. You might also experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or less commonly, anxiety or lightheadedness. If side effects bother you, lowering your dose may help.
Is it safe to take long-term?
Ribose is generally well tolerated for up to about a month, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking of using it beyond that, talk with your pharmacist.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—there isn't enough safety information, so ribose should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor about what's appropriate for you.
What is Bioenergy Ribose?
It's ribose, a five-carbon sugar your cells naturally use to produce energy. In this product, it's the only active ingredient.

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

Not sure if D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg 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 Powder 5000 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

D-Ribose Powder 5000 mg'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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