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Dietary supplement

Phosphatidylserine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Metagenics

Softgel Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Phosphatidylserine is a dietary supplement by Metagenics with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and cognitive support, age-related cognitive decline, attention and focus (adhd).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 Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics

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: phosphatidylserine, a naturally occurring compound found in cell membranes. The softgel capsule also includes medium-chain triglycerides and a softgel shell as inactive ingredients.

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 Phosphatidylserine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: mental focus and stress response support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Cognitive function, Mental performance, Acute stress response.
  • The closest evidence on file: Phosphatidylserine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Phosphatidylserine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cognitive function.

Phosphatidylserine is possibly effective for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease based on available evidence. For athletic performance, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), general cognitive function, and dementia, the evidence is insufficient to establish whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 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 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.

Phosphatidylserine is generally well tolerated in studies, though long-term safety hasn't been fully established. The most common side effects are flatulence, gastrointestinal upset, headache, insomnia, and nausea.

Insomnia is more likely at higher doses around 600 mg, and gastrointestinal upset can occur at doses of 200–300 mg per day. There isn't enough safety data to know whether phosphatidylserine is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient 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 1 matched ingredient 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 doctor or pharmacist if you take anticholinergic drugs (such as benztropine, scopolamine, or oxybutynin) or cholinergic drugs (such as donepezil, physostigmine, or pilocarpine). Phosphatidylserine may theoretically 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 no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Phosphatidylserine may help with age-related memory loss and Alzheimer disease, but evidence for other brain-related conditions is still limited. If you take anticholinergic or cholinergic medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it.

It's generally well tolerated, though stomach upset and insomnia are possible. Make sure your own healthcare provider knows about it before you take it.

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 Dec 22, 2019.

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 Phosphatidylserine, straight from the product label.

Brand Metagenics
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 22, 2019
DSLD ID 211167
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics, 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:
1 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories10 Calorie(s)--
Total Fat1 Gram(s)1%
Saturated Fat1 Gram(s)5%
Phosphatidylserine150 mg--

Other ingredients: Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Softgel Shell, Contains 2% or less of

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.
Formula

Phosphatidylserine is an important phospholipid in the brain and key building block of nerve cell membranes. Research suggests phosphatidylserine may support mental focus and help support a healthy endocrine response of acute mental stress.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one softgel twice daily with food or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Formulation

This product is non-GMO and gluten-free.

Helps support cognitive function and learning

Precautions

Warning: If pregnant or nursing, or taking medication, consult your healthcare practitioner before use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Caution: May be associated with mild gastrointestinal distress or temporary insomnia.

Storage

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Practitioner exclusive

See for yourself

Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics

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

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

Phosphatidylserine

Interacts with
219 drugs
150 mg per serving Form: Sunflower Lecithin

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

Other (inactive) ingredients: Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Softgel Shell, Contains 2% or less of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Phosphatidylserine?

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 Phosphatidylserine 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 Phosphatidylserine, from the product label.

Metagenics

See all Metagenics products
Name
Metagenics
City
Gig Harbor
State
WA
ZipCode
98332
Phone Number
800 692 9400
Web Address
metagenics.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics: Common Questions

Does Phosphatidylserine by Metagenics interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Phosphatidylserine 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?
Phosphatidylserine 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 phosphatidylserine do?
Phosphatidylserine is a natural compound that's part of cell membranes. It's possibly effective for age-related memory decline and Alzheimer disease, but evidence for other uses like ADHD or general brain function isn't solid yet.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are stomach upset (including flatulence or nausea), headache, and insomnia. Gastrointestinal upset can happen at doses of 200–300 mg daily, and insomnia is more likely with higher doses around 600 mg.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. You should avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding based on current information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation.
How long can I safely take this?
Phosphatidylserine is generally well tolerated in studies, but long-term safety hasn't been fully established. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist how long it's appropriate for you to use it.
Does it have fillers or other ingredients I should know about?
The softgel contains medium-chain triglycerides and a softgel shell as inactive ingredients, along with less than 2% of certain other ingredients. The product has one active ingredient: phosphatidylserine.

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

Not sure if Phosphatidylserine 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.

Phosphatidylserine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Phosphatidylserine'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 9 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.

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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