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Dietary supplement

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Twinlab

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

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) is a dietary supplement by Twinlab 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 Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab

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.

DMAE Caps contains one active ingredient: DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol), also known as deanol. It's sold as a single-ingredient supplement in capsule form.

The inactive ingredients are potato starch, gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate, medium chain triglycerides, 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: memory, focus and brain health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer disease, mental clarity, concentration, age-related cognitive decline.
  • 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 not strong. It's rated likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease and tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder).

For aging skin, ADHD, and athletic performance, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works or not. The data we hold doesn't support using it for these purposes.

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 seems to be tolerated by some adults when taken by mouth, though the evidence is limited. The most common side effects are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Other reported effects include constipation, headache, insomnia, confusion, and changes in mood. At doses above 1,000 mg daily, it's been linked to depression and mood swings in people with psychiatric conditions, and at 1,500 mg daily it may worsen schizophrenia symptoms in those with that diagnosis.

DMAE is not recommended in pregnancy because safety data is missing and some animal research raises concern. For breastfeeding, safety is unknown, so it's best to avoid it.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether DMAE is right for your situation.

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.

If you take anticholinergic drugs or cholinergic drugs, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding DMAE. These are Minor severity interactions, but they're theoretically important enough to confirm your specific medications won't be affected.

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 is one active ingredient with theoretical interactions mainly involving anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs. It's rated likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease and tardive dyskinesia, and evidence is insufficient for other claimed uses.

Side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and drowsiness are possible, and it's not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Before you start, check your medications with your own doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take any prescription drugs.

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 Oct 25, 2012.

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 Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol), straight from the product label.

Brand Twinlab
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 25, 2012
DSLD ID 12965
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab, 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)
IngredientAmount% DV
DMAE100 mg--

Other ingredients: Potato Starch, Gelatin, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, 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 Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

General Statements

How It Works: Each specially formulated, highly concentrated capsule contains the highest quality DMAE (2-Dimethylaminoethanol). This product is manufactured at our own state of the art facility with stringent quality control. Capsules are easier to swallow than hard tablets and dissolve faster to assure maximum effects.

Product Specs: Size/Count: 100 Form: Capsule

100 mg

Formulation

Unlike tablets, each capsule contains no added coatings or colors which may cause adverse reactions in people with allergies or on special diets.

Storage

Packaged in glass bottle for maximum stability, quality and freshness.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take one capsule daily or as recommended by your health care professional.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Proudly manufactured in our NSF(R) GMP registered facility.

All rights reserved.

See for yourself

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab

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
100 mg per serving Form: DMAE 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: Potato Starch, Gelatin, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol)?

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 Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) 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 Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol), from the product label.

Twinlab

See all Twinlab products
Name
Twinlab Corporation
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab: Common Questions

Does DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) by Twinlab interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) 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 Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) 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 that's thought to increase levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in your brain. It's marketed for brain health and aging, but evidence shows it's likely ineffective for Alzheimer disease and tardive dyskinesia, and evidence is insufficient for ADHD, athletic performance, and aging skin.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects reported are abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Other possible effects include headache, insomnia, and mood changes, especially at higher doses.
Can I take DMAE if I'm pregnant?
No. Safety data in pregnancy is missing, and some animal research raises concern, so DMAE is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
Can I take DMAE while breastfeeding?
Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it's best to avoid it. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it.
Does DMAE work for ADHD or memory problems?
For memory loss (Alzheimer disease), DMAE is rated likely ineffective. For ADHD, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. If you're considering it for either condition, talk with your doctor about options with stronger evidence.
What medications should I be careful about?
If you take anticholinergic drugs (medications that block acetylcholine) or cholinergic drugs (medications that boost acetylcholine), check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting DMAE. These interactions are theoretically possible based on how DMAE works in your body.

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

Not sure if DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) 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.

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol) label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol)’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

DMAE Caps (2-Dimethylaminoethanol)'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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