Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Phosphatidyl Serine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

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

Phosphatidyl Serine is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for liver health, memory and brain support, ulcerative colitis.Based on those ingredients, 219 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Phosphatidylserine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Phosphatidyl Serine 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 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This softgel contains four active ingredients, all phospholipids—compounds that are natural components of cell membranes. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine are the primary actives; phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol round out the four.

The softgel also includes gelatin (the capsule shell), medium chain triglycerides (a liquid fat), glycerin, caramel color, titanium dioxide, purified water, and pharmaceutical glaze as inactive ingredients—these are fillers and binders that help form and preserve the capsule.

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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: memory and cognitive support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Cognitive function, Dementia, Memory, mental performance — and 2 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Phosphatidylserine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Age-related cognitive decline (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Phosphatidylcholine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Memory, Dementia.
  • Also on file: Phosphatidylserine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Cognitive function, Dementia.

The evidence is mixed. Phosphatidylserine is possibly effective for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, according to the data we hold.

Phosphatidylcholine shows possibly effective evidence only for ulcerative colitis. For most other conditions listed—ADHD, general cognitive function, athletic performance, dementia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease, and anxiety—the evidence is insufficient to make a reliable rating.

That doesn't mean the ingredients don't work for those uses; it means solid trial data isn't established yet.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidylserine

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Both main actives are generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though side effects can occur. Phosphatidylcholine may cause bloating, diarrhea, altered taste, nausea, sweating, or vomiting at lower doses, and gastrointestinal upset becomes more likely at very high doses (30 grams per day).

Phosphatidylserine commonly causes flatulence, gastrointestinal upset, headache, insomnia (especially at higher doses around 600 mg), or nausea at typical doses of 200–300 mg per day. The safety data advises against using phosphatidylserine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

For phosphatidylcholine, choline itself is needed during pregnancy, but supplement safety beyond food sources is not well studied—talk with your doctor before using it while pregnant or nursing. We hold no pregnancy or breastfeeding safety data for phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylinositol.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidylserine

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 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Phosphatidylserine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • 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 this product, check with your own doctor or pharmacist if you take anticholinergic drugs (Moderate severity)—such as medications for overactive bladder or Parkinson's disease—or cholinergic drugs (Moderate severity)—such as medications that boost acetylcholine activity. Phosphatidylserine may interfere with how these medications work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may help with age-related cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease if phosphatidylserine is the main driver, though the evidence is not rock-solid. If you take anticholinergic or cholinergic medications (especially for bladder, Parkinson's, or neurological issues), check your specific drugs with your own pharmacist or doctor before starting—the interaction is Moderate and worth confirming.

Digestive side effects and insomnia are possible. Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to see if this makes sense for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2016.

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 Phosphatidyl Serine, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 745287200605
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2016
DSLD ID 56565
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Phosphatidyl Serine 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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
745287200605
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories5 {Calories}--
Calories from Fat4.5 {Calories}--
Total Fat0.5 Gram(s)1%
Phosphatidylcholine45 mg--
Phosphatidylserine100 mg--
Phosphatidylethanolamine10 mg--
Phosphatidylinositol5 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Glycerin, Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide, purified Water, Pharmaceutical Glaze

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

This product contains NO yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial preservatives, artificial flavoring, or genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 to 2 softgels 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

PHS

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Phosphatidyl Serine by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Phosphatidyl Serine by Douglas Laboratories

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

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

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Phosphatidylcholine

No known
interactions
45 mg per serving Form: Soy

Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid that is part of every cell membrane and a source of choline. People take it for liver, brain, and gut health, bu...

Phosphatidylcholine monograph & interactions

Phosphatidylserine

Interacts with
219 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Soy

Phosphatidylserine is a natural fat-like compound found in cell membranes, especially in the brain, and it is sold mainly to support memory and thinki...

Phosphatidylserine monograph & interactions

Phosphatidylethanolamine

10 mg per serving Form: Soy

Phosphatidylinositol

5 mg per serving Form: Soy

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Glycerin, Caramel color, Titanium Dioxide, Purified Water, Pharmaceutical Glaze. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Phosphatidyl Serine by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Phosphatidyl Serine?

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 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Phosphatidyl Serine 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.

Phosphatidylserine2 drug types · 219 drugs

Anticholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, phosphatidylserine might decrease the effectiveness anticholinergic drugs.
Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels, which could theoretically interfere with the activity of anticholinergic agents.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cholinergic Drugs

Theoretically, phosphatidylserine might have additive effects with cholinergic drugs.
Phosphatidylserine is thought to increase acetylcholine levels, which could theoretically lead to additive cholinergic effects when used with cholinergic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Phosphatidyl Serine, 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
Phone Number
1.800.245.440
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Phosphatidyl Serine by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Phosphatidyl Serine by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Phosphatidyl Serine 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?
Phosphatidyl Serine contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 phosphatidylserine safe to use during pregnancy?
No—the safety data advises against it during pregnancy. For phosphatidylcholine, while choline is needed in pregnancy, supplement safety beyond what you get from food is not well studied. Talk with your doctor before using any form of this product if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I breastfeed while taking this supplement?
The safety data advises against phosphatidylserine while breastfeeding. For phosphatidylcholine and the other two phospholipids, we don't have enough safety information. Check with your healthcare provider first.
Will this help my memory or thinking if I don't have Alzheimer's?
Phosphatidylserine is possibly effective for age-related cognitive decline and possibly effective for Alzheimer's disease. For general cognitive function, ADHD, and other brain uses, the evidence is not established yet.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common are digestive: bloating, flatulence, nausea, or diarrhea at typical doses. Insomnia and headache have been reported, especially at higher doses. High doses of phosphatidylcholine can make digestive upset worse.
What are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine?
They're phospholipids—natural fat-like compounds found in cell membranes throughout your body. Both are thought to support brain cell function and communication, which is why they're used in cognitive health supplements.
Why can't you check interactions for all the ingredients?
We hold no monograph data for phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, so we couldn't check them against medications. We can only report what's in our database; if you're on any prescription drugs, use the checker on this page or ask your pharmacist directly about those two ingredients.

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

Not sure if Phosphatidyl Serine 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.

Phosphatidyl Serine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Phosphatidyl Serine'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 24 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.

Phosphatidylcholine 15 references
  1. Domino EF, May WW, Demetriou S, et al. Lack of clinically significant improvement of patients with tardive dyskinesia following phosphatidylcholine therapy. Biol Psychiatry 1985;20:1189-96. PubMed
  2. Aronson PJ, Lorincz AL. Promotion of palmar sweating with oral phosphatidylcholine. Acta Derm Venereol 1985;65:19-24. DOI
  3. Hexsel DM, Serra M, de Oliveira Dal'Forno T, et al. Cosmetic uses of injectable phosphatidylcholine on the face. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2005;38:1119-29. PubMed
  4. Kopera D, Binder B, Toplak H, et al. Histopathologic changes after intralesional application of phosphatidylcholine for lipoma reduction: report of a case. Am J Dermatopathol 2006;28:331-3. PubMed
  5. Rittes PG. The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of lower lid bulging due to prominent fat pads. Dermatol Surg 2001;27:391-2. PubMed
  6. Rotunda AM, Kolodney MS. Mesotherapy and phosphatidylcholine injections: historical clarification and review. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:465-80. PubMed
  7. Hexsel D, Serra M, Mazzuco R, et al. Phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of localized fat. J Drugs Dermatol 2003;2:511-8.
  8. Hasengschwandtner F. Phosphatidylcholine treatment to induce lipolysis. Cosmet Dermatol 2005;4:308-13. PubMed
  9. Rittes PG. The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of localized fat deposits. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2003;27:315-8. PubMed
  10. Ablon G, Rotunda AM. Treatment of lower eyelid fat pads using phosphatidylcholine: clinical trial and review. Dermatol Surg 2004;30:422-7. PubMed
  11. Loguercio C, Andreone P, Brisc C, et al. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial. Free Radic Biol Med 2012;52(9):1658-65. PubMed
  12. Panos, J. M., Palson, R., Johnson, R., Portmann, B., and Williams, R. Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine for acute alcoholic hepatitis: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial. Eur.J.Gastroenterol 1990;2:351-355.
  13. Stremmel W, Braun A, Hanemann A, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Delayed release phosphatidylcholine in chronic-active ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blinded, dose finding study. J Clin Gastroenterol 2010;44(5):e101-7. PubMed
  14. Stremmel W, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(9):603-10. PubMed
  15. Stremmel W, Vural H, Evliyaoglu O, Weiskirchen R. Delayed Release Phosphatidylcholine is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis. Dig Dis 2021;39(5):508-515. PubMed

See these in context on the Phosphatidylcholine monograph →

Phosphatidylserine 9 references
  1. Crook T, Petrie W, Wells C, Massari DC. Effects of phosphatidylserine in Alzheimer's disease. Psychopharmacol Bull 1992;28:61-6.
  2. Pepping J. Phosphatidylserine. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 1999;56:2038,2043-4.
  3. Kidd PM. Phosphatidylserine; Membrane nutrient for memory. A clinical and mechanistic assessment. Altern Med Rev 1996;1:70-84.
  4. Kim HY, Akbar M, Lau A, et al. Inhibition of neuronal apoptosis by docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3). Role of phosphatidylserine in antiapoptotic effect. J Biol Chem 2000;275:35215-23.. PubMed
  5. Zanotti A, Valzelli L, Toffano G. Chronic phosphatidylserine treatment improves spatial memory and passive avoidance in aged rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1989;99:316-21.. PubMed
  6. Schreiber S, Kampf-Sherf O, Gorfine M, et al. An open trial of plant-source derived phosphatydilserine for treatment of age-related cognitive decline. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci 2000;37:302-7.
  7. Pepping, J. Phosphatidylserine. Am J Health Syst.Pharm. 10-15-1999;56(20):2038, 2043-2038, 2044.
  8. Monteverde, A., Gnemmi, P., Rossi, F., Monteverde, A., and Finali, G. C. Selegiline in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer-type dementia. Clin.Ther 1990;12(4):315-322.
  9. Vakhapova V, Cohen T, Richter Y, Herzog Y, Kam Y, Korczyn AD. Phosphatidylserine containing omega-3 Fatty acids may improve memory abilities in nondemented elderly individuals with memory complaints: results from an open-label extension study. Dement Geri PubMed

See these in context on the Phosphatidylserine 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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