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Dietary supplement

Malic Acid Tablets Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Malic Acid Tablets is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for fibromyalgia symptoms, muscle pain and fatigue, dry mouth (used in some lozenges).Based on those ingredients, 172 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Malic Acid. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Malic Acid Tablets 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 product contains malic acid as its single active ingredient. Malic acid is an organic compound that plays a role in how your body produces energy at the cellular level; it's found naturally in apples and other fruits.

The tablet also includes inactive ingredients—cellulose, vegetable stearate, and silica—which are fillers and binders that help form and stabilize the tablet.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Malic Acid's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Malic Acid for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Dry mouth — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for malic acid is mixed and limited. It's rated possibly effective for dry mouth, meaning some evidence suggests it may help, but more research is needed to be sure.

For acne, GERD (acid reflux), fatigue, fibromyalgia, and psoriasis, the evidence we hold is insufficient to say whether it works or not. If you're considering this supplement for one of those uses, talk with your doctor about whether it's worth trying and what you might expect.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Malic Acid

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.

Malic acid from food sources appears well tolerated. However, safety data for supplement doses—the amounts in pills like these—is limited, so caution is advised if you take it at higher levels than you'd get from eating fruit.

When taken by mouth, malic acid seems generally well tolerated, though a small number of people taking a combination product containing malic acid and magnesium reported diarrhea and nausea; it's unclear whether malic acid alone caused this, since magnesium has a laxative effect at higher doses. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, malic acid is rated likely safe, but talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Malic Acid

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 — Malic Acid.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 172 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 any blood pressure medication (antihypertensive drugs), check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product. Malic acid may theoretically increase the risk of low blood pressure when combined with these medications.

No other medication interactions are documented for the ingredients we checked.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a single-ingredient supplement that may help with dry mouth, though the evidence is still developing. The main thing to watch for is whether you take blood pressure medication—malic acid could theoretically lower your blood pressure further.

Before you start, check your exact medications with your own doctor or pharmacist, especially if you're on any antihypertensive 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 Jun 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 Malic Acid Tablets, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Net contents 90 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2012
DSLD ID 10263
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Malic Acid Tablets 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
90
IngredientAmount% DV
Malic Acid500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, 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 tablet daily or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Tamper resistant package, do not use if outer seal is missing.

Storage

For optimal storage conditions, store in a cool, dry place. (59(0)-77(0)F/15(0)-25(0)C) (35-65% relative humidity)

General

Formula #85041

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Formulation

This product contains NO yeast, wheat gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring.

See for yourself

Malic Acid Tablets by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Malic Acid Tablets by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Malic Acid

Interacts with
172 drugs
500 mg per serving

Malic acid is a natural acid found in apples and other fruits, often combined with magnesium in supplements marketed for fibromyalgia and muscle pain....

Malic Acid monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Malic Acid Tablets by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Malic Acid Tablets?

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
172Drugs
172 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Malic Acid Tablets 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.

Malic Acid1 drug type · 172 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, malic acid might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research shows that malic acid isolated from tagetes roots can reduce mean arterial blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Malic Acid Tablets, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Malic Acid Tablets by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Malic Acid Tablets by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Malic Acid Tablets has a known interaction with 172 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Malic Acid Tablets 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 malic acid safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes, malic acid is rated likely safe during pregnancy and lactation based on the data we hold. That said, it's always a good idea to let your doctor or pharmacist know you're considering any new supplement during pregnancy or while nursing, so they can review it in the context of your full health picture.
Can malic acid cause side effects?
When taken by mouth, malic acid is generally well tolerated. A small number of people taking a combination product that included malic acid and magnesium reported diarrhea and nausea, but it's unclear whether malic acid itself or the magnesium (which has a laxative effect) was responsible. If you experience any unusual symptoms, let your pharmacist know.
Does this really help with dry mouth?
The evidence suggests it may help, which is why it's rated possibly effective for dry mouth. But the research isn't conclusive yet, so results may vary from person to person. If dry mouth is a problem for you, talk with your doctor about whether it's worth trying and what else might help.
What are the inactive ingredients in this tablet?
The tablet contains cellulose, vegetable stearate, and silica—these are fillers and binders that help hold the tablet together and are not active ingredients.
Will this work for fibromyalgia or fatigue?
The evidence for malic acid in fibromyalgia and fatigue is insufficient—we don't have enough reliable data to say whether it works or not. If you're thinking about trying it for either of those reasons, check with your doctor first to see if it's a reasonable option alongside your other treatments.

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

Not sure if Malic Acid Tablets 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.

Malic Acid Tablets label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Malic Acid Tablets'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 7 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.

Malic Acid 7 references
  1. Russell IJ, Michalek JE, Flechas JD, Abraham GE. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover pilot study. J Rheumatol 1995;22:953-8.
  2. Fiume, Z. Final report on the safety assessment of malic acid and sodium malate. Int J Toxicol 2001;20 Suppl 1:47-55. PubMed
  3. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 184 - Direct Food Substances Affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe. Available at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=786bafc6f6343634fbf79fcdca7061e1&rgn=div5&view=text&node=21:3.0.1.1
  4. Saleem R, Ahmad M, Naz A, et al. Hypotensive and toxicological study of citric acid and other constituents from Tagetes patula roots. Arch Pharm Res 2004;27(10):1037-42.
  5. Chiriac A, Brzezinski P. Topical malic acid in combination with citric acid: an option to treat recalcitrant warts. Dermatol Ther. 2015;28(6):336-8. PubMed
  6. CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 SUBCHAPTER B. 184.1069 Malic Acid. Food and Drug Administration Department Of Health And Human Services. Updated April 1, 2017. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1069.
  7. Amended Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate as Used in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Updated May 19, 2017. http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/malic%20acid.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2018.

See these in context on the Malic Acid 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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