Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

GABA 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

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

GABA 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, sleep problems, relaxation.Based on those ingredients, 419 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are GABA. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories

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 is a single-ingredient supplement: 500 mg of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an amino acid compound that your brain naturally produces. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium silicate, vegetable stearate, and silica—which are fillers and binding agents that hold the formula together.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) product and its label doesn't state a use — see Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba)'s own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for GABA supplements isn't established in our data. It's been studied for anxiety, ADHD, chronic bronchitis, cerebral palsy, and athletic performance, but the research doesn't yet support a clear rating for any of these uses.

Your results may vary, and talking with your pharmacist or doctor about whether it's right for your particular situation makes sense.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba)

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.

GABA is often well tolerated in the short term when taken by mouth. The most common side effects a small number of people report are drowsiness, stomach upset, minor throat burning, muscle weakness, and nausea.

One person reported a temporary stop in menstruation when taking GABA with another supplement, though this is rare. Long-term safety hasn't been well studied.

The data advises against using GABA unless your doctor says otherwise. It's also advised to avoid it while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba)

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 — Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba).
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 419 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.

Check with your pharmacist before adding GABA if you take blood pressure medications—there's a Moderate risk of blood pressure dropping too far. Also double-check any sedating medications or sleep aids you're on, as there's a Minor theoretical risk of extra drowsiness.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement may be worth considering if you're curious about GABA and your doctor okays it, but keep in mind the evidence for its effectiveness isn't solid yet. If you take blood pressure medications or sedating drugs, absolutely check with your pharmacist first—interactions here are documented.

For long-term use, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether GABA is right for you.

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, 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 GABA 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539009222
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 313539
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
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 GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories, 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)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
310539009222
IngredientAmount% DV
GABA500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Silicate, Vegetable 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by your health professional.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, have any health condition or taking any medication, consult your health professional before using this product

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten-free, Non-GMO

Support for relaxation

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.

General Statements

Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

GABA

Interacts with
419 drugs
500 mg per serving

GABA is a calming chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that your body makes on its own, and it is sold as a supplement for stress, anxiety, and sleep...

GABA monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against GABA 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
419Drugs
172 Moderate 247 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

GABA 419

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in GABA 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.

GABA2 drug types · 419 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking GABA with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Some clinical research shows that GABA can decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, GABA might have additive sedative effects when used in conjunction with CNS depressants. However, it is unclear if this concern is clinically relevant.
Endogenous GABA has well-established relaxant effects and GABA(A) receptors have an established physiological role in sleep. However, the effects of GABA supplements are unclear, as it is unknown whether exogenous GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier. Although there have been limited reports of drowsiness or tiredness with GABA supplements, these effects have not been widely reported in clinical studies. Additionally, intravenous GABA 0.1-1 mg/kg has been shown to induce anxiety in a dose-dependent manner.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for GABA 500 mg, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
City
Sudbury
State
MA
ZipCode
01776
Phone Number
1.800.245.440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does GABA 500 mg by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, GABA 500 mg has a known interaction with 419 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
GABA 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 does GABA actually do?
GABA is an amino acid your brain makes naturally to help calm and relax your nervous system. The supplement form is intended to support that, but strong evidence that the oral supplement works the same way your body's own GABA does hasn't been established yet in the research we hold.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough safety data on file for GABA in pregnancy to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to figure out what's best for you personally.
Is GABA safe to take long-term?
Short-term use is generally well tolerated, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking about taking it regularly, that's a good conversation to have with your pharmacist or doctor.
What are the most common side effects?
Drowsiness, stomach upset, minor throat burning, muscle weakness, and nausea are the side effects reported most often. Most people don't experience them, but it's worth knowing they're possible.
Can I take this with my sleep medication?
There's a Minor theoretical risk of extra drowsiness if you combine GABA with sedating drugs. Check with your pharmacist about your specific medication before you start.

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

Not sure if GABA 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.

GABA 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

GABA 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 12 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.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) 12 references
  1. Cavagnini F, Invitti C, Pinto M, et al. Effect of acute and repeated administration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1980;93:149-54.
  2. Nurnberger JI Jr, Berrettini WH, Simmons-Alling S, et al. Intravenous GABA administration is anxiogenic in man. Psychiatry Res 1986;19:113-7. PubMed
  3. Gershman RN, Vasilenko MA, Iliushina GG, et al. [Gammalon in the rehabilitation in infantile cerebral palsy]. Pediatr.Akus.Ginekol. 1977;(6):26-7.
  4. Loeb C, Benassi E, Bo, GP, et al. Preliminary evaluation of the effect of GABA and phosphatidylserine in epileptic patients. Epilepsy Res. 1987;1:209-12 . PubMed
  5. Inoue K, Shirai T, Ochiai H, et al. Blood-pressure-lowering effect of a novel fermented milk containing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mild hypertensives. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:490-95.
  6. ELLIOTT, K. A. and JASPER, H. H. Gammaaminobutyric acid. Physiol Rev. 1959;39(2):383-406.
  7. Winsky-Sommerer, R. Role of GABAA receptors in the physiology and pharmacology of sleep. Eur.J.Neurosci. 2009;29(9):1779-1794.
  8. Meldrum, B. S. GABAergic mechanisms in the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 1989;27 Suppl 1:3S-11S. PubMed
  9. Loeb, C., Marinari, U. M., Benassi, E., Besio, G., Cottalasso, D., Cupello, A., Maffini, M., Mainardi, P., Pronzato, M. A., and Scotto, P. A. Phosphatidylserine increases in vivo the synaptosomal uptake of exogenous GABA in rats. Exp.Neurol. 1988;99(2):4 PubMed
  10. Melis, G. B., Paoletti, A. M., Mais, V., and Fioretti, P. Interference of dopamine infusion on gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-stimulated prolactin increase. J.Endocrinol.Invest 1980;3(4):445-448.
  11. Boonstra E, de Kleijn R, Colzato LS, Alkemade A, Forstmann BU, Nieuwenhuis S. Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Front Psychol. 2015 Oct 6;6:1520. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01520. eCollection 2015. PubMed
  12. de Bie TH, Witkamp RF, Balvers MG, Jongsma MA. Effects of ?-aminobutyric acid supplementation on glucose control in adults with prediabetes: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2023;118(3):708-719. PubMed

See these in context on the Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) 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

Keep exploring