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Dietary supplement

Glycine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Protocol For Life Balance

Powder Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Glycine is a dietary supplement by Protocol For Life Balance with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sleep quality and insomnia, relaxation, cognitive function.Based on those ingredients, 1 medication has a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Glycine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance

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: glycine, an amino acid. It's a single-ingredient powder with no fillers or other inactive ingredients added.

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 Glycine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports energy production and DNA/RNA synthesis.
  • We looked for evidence on: Aging, Cognitive function, Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Physical performance, Wound healing — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Glycine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cognitive function (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Glycine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Obesity, Wound healing, Physical performance, Metabolic syndrome, and more.

The evidence for glycine is mixed depending on what you're using it for. It's possibly effective for schizophrenia, though as noted above, adding it to clozapine therapy can backfire.

For other uses — including 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (3-PGDH) deficiency, ADHD, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and cystic fibrosis — there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Glycine

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.

Glycine is generally well tolerated at typical doses, but long-term safety data are limited. Mild sedation, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, memory impairment, headache, and sensory impairment have been reported rarely; GI side effects like soft stools, nausea, vomiting, and upper abdominal discomfort have also been reported rarely.

These symptoms resolve quickly if you stop taking it. There isn't enough reliable safety data on glycine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in either situation.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Glycine

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 — Glycine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 1 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 clozapine (Clozaril) for schizophrenia, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product — adding glycine to clozapine therapy has been shown to worsen schizophrenia symptoms in a clinical trial.

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. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Glycine is a straightforward single-ingredient supplement generally well tolerated in typical doses. If you take clozapine for schizophrenia, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product — the evidence suggests it may worsen your symptoms.

Anyone considering glycine for other uses should discuss it with their own healthcare provider first, since long-term safety data are limited.

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 Glycine, straight from the product label.

Brand Protocol For Life Balance
Barcode (UPC) 707359102255
Net contents 1 lb; 454 g
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 25, 2012
DSLD ID 14922
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, 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 Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance, 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:
0.25 tsp
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.25 tsp
Servings per container
454
UPC/BARCODE
707359102255
IngredientAmount% DV
Glycine1 g--

Other ingredients: None

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, take a 1/4 level teaspoon mixed in water or juice 1 to 3 times daily.

General Statements

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid and has the simplest structure of all amino acids, allowing it to fit easily within protein chains and make space for structurally larger amino acids. This feature makes it very important for specific bodily functions. Glycine is also a precursor of creatine, which is used to construct DNA and RNA. And it supports glycogen storage, thereby making more glucose available for energy production. The amino acid Glycine is non-chiral and only has one form without a D- or L- designation.

100% Pure Powder Pharmaceutical Grade Amino Acid • Supports Energy Production • Important for DNA & RNA

Please Recycle.

This product is sold by weight not volume.

100% Pure.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General

CODE P0225 V1

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Vegetarian Product

Contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.

Vegetarian/Vegan Product.

Seals/Symbols

GMP

Brand IP Statement(s)

NOW(R) Glycine Powder is Pharmaceutical Grade.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance

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

Serving size0.25 tsp Dosage formPowder Servings per container454 Amounts shown are per serving.

Glycine

Interacts with
1 drug
1 g per serving

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid your body makes on its own and that also appears in protein-rich foods. It is most studied for improving sleep q...

Glycine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: None. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Glycine?

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
1Drugs
1 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Glycine 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.

Glycine1 drug type · 1 drug

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Theoretically, glycine might decrease the effectiveness of clozapine.
One small clinical study in patients with schizophrenia shows that adding glycine to clozapine therapy worsens symptoms of schizophrenia when compared with clozapine alone. The mechanism of this interaction is unclear.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Glycine, from the product label.

Protocol For Life Balance

See all Protocol For Life Balance products
Name
NHG
Street Address
P.O. Box 2203
City
Sparks
State
NV
ZipCode
89431
Web Address
www.protocolforlife.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance: Common Questions

Does Glycine by Protocol For Life Balance interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Glycine has a known interaction with 1 medication. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Glycine 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.
Is glycine safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable safety data on glycine in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation before taking it.
What side effects might I get from glycine?
Mild sedation, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, memory issues, headache, and sensory changes have been reported rarely. GI symptoms like soft stools, nausea, vomiting, and upper stomach discomfort also occur rarely. These resolve quickly if you stop taking it.
Is this product just glycine, or does it have fillers?
This is pure glycine powder with no fillers or other inactive ingredients added.
Can glycine help with ADHD or benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)?
There isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether glycine works for either condition. Talk with your doctor about whether it might be right for you.
How long-term is it safe to take glycine?
Glycine is generally well tolerated at typical doses, but long-term safety data are limited. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise whether ongoing use makes sense for you.

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

Not sure if Glycine is safe with your meds?

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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.

Glycine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Glycine'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 5 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.

Glycine 5 references
  1. Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ermilov M, et al. Efficacy of high-dose glycine in the treatment of enduring negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:29-36.. PubMed
  2. Potkin SG, Jin Y, Bunney BG, Costa J, Gulasekaram B. Effect of clozapine and adjunctive high-dose glycine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 1999;156:145-7.. PubMed
  3. Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI, Dambinova SA, et al. Neuroprotective effects of glycine for therapy of acute ischaemic stroke. Cerebrovasc Dis 2000;10:49-60. PubMed
  4. Inagawa K, Kawai N, Ono K, Sukegawa E, Tsubuku S, Takahashi M. Assessment of acute adverse effects of glycine ingestion at a high dose in human volunteers. Seikatsu Eisei. 2006; 50:27-32.
  5. Woods SW, Walsh BC, Hawkins KA, Miller TJ, Saksa JR, D'Souza DC, Pearlson GD, Javitt DC, McGlashan TH, Krystal JH. Glycine treatment of the risk syndrome for psychosis: report of two pilot studies. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Aug;23(8):931-40. PubMed

See these in context on the Glycine 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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