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Dietary supplement

DMAE Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Minor
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

DMAE is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and focus, mood and mental clarity, adhd-type symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 219 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are DMAE. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of DMAE 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

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.
  • “DMAE” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (130 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Source Naturals DMAE is a single-ingredient supplement containing DMAE bitartrate (also called deanol). It's a compound related to choline, a nutrient involved in brain function and nerve signaling.

The capsule itself is made with microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and silica.

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 Deanol's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: enhances mental concentration.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental clarity, focus, acetylcholine support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Deanol is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Deanol is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cognitive function.

The evidence for DMAE doesn't show it works for the purposes it's often marketed for. Research rates it likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease and tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder).

For attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aging skin, and athletic performance, there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to say whether it works or not.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Deanol

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.

Deanol is generally well tolerated by mouth in some adults, but the safety data is limited and side effects do happen. The most common ones reported are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Other reported effects include constipation, headache, insomnia, confusion, and mood changes. At doses over 1000 mg daily, deanol has been linked to depression and mood swings in people with psychiatric conditions, and at 1500 mg daily it's been reported to worsen schizophrenia symptoms.

The safety data during pregnancy is insufficient — there isn't enough information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Deanol

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Deanol.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 219 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 Source Naturals DMAE, check with your pharmacist if you use anticholinergic drugs (medications that block acetylcholine) or cholinergic drugs (medications that boost acetylcholine). Both categories may be affected, though the documented interactions are Minor in severity.

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. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

DMAE may be something to discuss with your pharmacist if you're curious about it, but the research doesn't support its use for memory, ADHD, or skin — and it does carry a small risk of digestive upset and mood effects. If you take anticholinergic or cholinergic medications, check with us first.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a psychiatric condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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 Apr 25, 2017.

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 DMAE, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078015826
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2017
DSLD ID 72791
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, 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 DMAE 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
021078015826
IngredientAmount% DV
DMAE130 mg--
DMAE Bitartrate351 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

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

Formula

Dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate

General Statements

Enhances mental concentration 351 mg

DMAE is naturally found in some foods. It is a highly bioactive nutritional precursor to acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter. DMAE has been found to enhance mental concentration.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 capsule daily.

Precautions

Caution: If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, breastfeeding, or have epilepsy, 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.

Formulation

Hypoallergenic: Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy or wheat.

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

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.

General

SN1582 REV D121

See for yourself

DMAE by Source Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in DMAE by Source Naturals

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

DMAE

Interacts with
219 drugs
130 mg per serving

Deanol (DMAE) is a compound related to choline that is marketed for memory, focus, and mood, but solid human evidence for most of these uses is limite...

DMAE monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

DMAE by Source Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against DMAE?

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
219Drugs
219 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

DMAE 219

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in DMAE 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.

DMAE2 drug types · 219 drugs

Anticholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, deanol might decrease the effectiveness of anticholinergic drugs.
Deanol is thought to increase acetylcholine levels.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Cholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, deanol might increase the effects and adverse effects of cholinergic drugs.
Deanol is thought to increase acetylcholine levels.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for DMAE, 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

DMAE by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does DMAE by Source Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, DMAE has a known interaction with 219 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
DMAE 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.
What is DMAE and what is it supposed to do?
DMAE (deanol) is a compound related to choline, a nutrient your brain uses for nerve signaling. It's marketed for memory, focus, and skin health, but the evidence doesn't support those uses.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common reported side effects are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Most people who take it don't experience these, but they can happen.
Is DMAE safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know whether DMAE is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.
Can DMAE affect my mood or psychiatric symptoms?
Yes — at higher doses (over 1000 mg daily), deanol has been reported to cause mood changes like depression and mood swings in people with psychiatric conditions. At 1500 mg daily, it's been linked to worsening schizophrenia symptoms.
Does DMAE actually improve memory or help ADHD?
The research doesn't support it. Studies rate DMAE likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease and rate the evidence for ADHD as insufficient to know either way.

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

Not sure if DMAE 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.

DMAE label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

DMAE'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 15 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.

Deanol 15 references
  1. Davies C, Maidment S, Hanley P, et al. Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). HSE. Risk assessment document; EH72/2;1997. (TOXLINE).
  2. Re O. 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (deanol): a brief review of its clinical efficacy and postulated mechanism of action. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 1974;16:1238-42.
  3. Pieralisi G, Ripari P, Vecchiet L. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract combined with dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements on physical performance during exercise. Clin Ther 1991;13:373-82.
  4. George J, Pridmore S, Aldous D. Double blind controlled trial of deanol in tardive dyskinesia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1981;15:68-71. PubMed
  5. Penovich P, Morgan JP, Kerzner B, et al. Double-blind evaluation of deanol in tardive dyskinesia. JAMA 1978;239:1997-8. DOI
  6. de Montigny C, Chouinard G, Annable L. Ineffectiveness of deanol in tardive dyskinesia: a placebo controlled study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1979;65:219-23. PubMed
  7. Lindeboom SF, Lakke JP. Deanol and physostigmine in the treatment of L-dopa-induced dyskinesias. Acta Neurol Scand 1978;58:134-8. PubMed
  8. Jus A, Villeneuve A, Gautier J, et al. Deanol, lithium and placebo in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. A double-blind crossover study. Neuropsychobiology 1978;4:140-9. PubMed
  9. Lewis JA, Young R. Deanol and methylphenidate in minimal brain dysfunction. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1975;17:534-40. PubMed
  10. Fisman M, Mersky H, Helmes E. Double-blind trial of 2-dimethylaminoethanol in Alzheimer's disease. Am J Psychiatry 1981;138:970-2. PubMed
  11. Ferris SH, Sathananthan G, Gershon S, et al. Senile dementia: treatment with deanol. J Am Geriatr Soc 1977;25:241-4. PubMed
  12. Haug BA, Holzgraefe M. Orofacial and respiratory tardive dyskinesia: potential side effects of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol)? Eur Neurol 1991;31:423-5. PubMed
  13. Casey DE. Mood alterations during deanol therapy. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1979;62:187-91. PubMed
  14. Sergio W. Use of DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol) in the induction of lucid dreams. Med Hypotheses 1988;26:255-7. PubMed
  15. Osol A, Hoover JE, eds. Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 15th ed. Easton, PA: Mack Publishing Company, 1975.

See these in context on the Deanol 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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