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Dietary supplement

DMAE 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by HBC Protocols

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

DMAE 500 mg is a dietary supplement by HBC Protocols 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 500 mg by HBC Protocols

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: DMAE (also called deanol), a compound thought to increase acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and nerve signaling. The capsule also contains gelatin, maltodextrin, and silica as inactive ingredients.

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: memory and brain health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer disease, focus, mental clarity, acetylcholine.
  • The closest evidence on file: Deanol is rated "Likely Ineffective" for Alzheimer disease (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Deanol is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Cognitive function.

The evidence for DMAE is limited. It's been studied for Alzheimer disease and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement disorder) — and in both cases, research rated it likely ineffective.

For aging skin, ADHD, and athletic performance, the data we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to know 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.

DMAE is generally well tolerated by mouth, but side effects do occur. The most common ones reported in trials are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Less common but serious effects reported include headache, insomnia, confusion, depression, mood swings, and in people with a history of schizophrenia, worsening of symptoms — especially at doses above 1000 mg daily. For pregnancy, we don't have safety data on file, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use.

The same applies to breastfeeding — the evidence isn't there to say it's safe, so avoiding it while nursing is advised until you've discussed it with your healthcare provider.

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 DMAE, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on anticholinergic drugs (such as those for overactive bladder or certain tremors) or cholinergic drugs (such as those for myasthenia gravis). Both interactions are Minor, but they're worth confirming before you start.

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 appeal to people looking for cognitive or skin support, but the evidence for both is thin or negative. If you take anticholinergic or cholinergic medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding it — the interaction is minor but real.

Anyone with a psychiatric history should be especially cautious, given reports of mood and psychotic symptom changes at higher doses. Talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist to see if it fits your situation.

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 Jul 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 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand HBC Protocols
Barcode (UPC) 679840362205
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2017
DSLD ID 74958
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 500 mg by HBC Protocols, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
679840362205
IngredientAmount% DV
DMAE500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Maltodextrin, 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.
Formulation

No sugar, no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no preservatives, sodium free, no wheat, no gluten, no soy, no dairy, yeast free.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is present in small amounts in all living organism. DMAE has been found to increase choline levels. Choline serves as a precursor of acetylcholine, which is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for memory and muscle function.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Direction For Use: As dietary supplement, take one to three capsules daily.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

DMAE 500 mg by HBC Protocols label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in DMAE 500 mg by HBC Protocols

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

DMAE

Interacts with
219 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate

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: Gelatin, Maltodextrin, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

DMAE 500 mg by HBC Protocols Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against DMAE 500 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
219Drugs
219 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

DMAE 219

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in DMAE 500 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.

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 500 mg, from the product label.

HBC Protocols

See all HBC Protocols products
Name
HBC Protocols, Inc.
Street Address
8205 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 472
City
Los Angeles
State
California
ZipCode
90046
Phone Number
888.497.3742
Web Address
ww.hbcprotocols.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

DMAE 500 mg by HBC Protocols: Common Questions

Does DMAE 500 mg by HBC Protocols interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, DMAE 500 mg 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 500 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.
What is DMAE and what does it do?
DMAE (deanol) is a compound that's thought to increase acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and nerve signaling. It's been studied for memory problems, attention, and skin aging, but the evidence for its effectiveness is limited or negative for most of those uses.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects reported are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Less common effects include headache, insomnia, confusion, and mood changes — especially at higher doses or in people with a history of psychiatric conditions.
Is it safe to take DMAE if I have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder?
DMAE has been reported to worsen schizophrenic symptoms and cause mood swings including depression and hypomania, especially at doses above 1000 mg daily. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering it if you have a psychiatric history.
Can I take DMAE while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don't have safety data for pregnancy on file. For breastfeeding, the evidence isn't there to say it's safe, so it's advised to avoid it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation before taking it.
Does DMAE work for memory or Alzheimer disease?
Research we hold rates DMAE as likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease. For general memory or cognitive support, the evidence isn't strong enough to say whether it works.

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

Not sure if DMAE 500 mg 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 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

DMAE 500 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 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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