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Dietary supplement

Ribose Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Carlson

Ribose label
See full label image
Powder Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Ribose against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Ribose is a dietary supplement by Carlson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for energy and fatigue, athletic performance and recovery, fibromyalgia symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are pure D-Ribose. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Ribose by Carlson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Ribose by Carlson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Ribose by Carlson

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Sep 10, 2026

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: pure D-ribose, a naturally occurring sugar that your cells use to make energy. Carlson's formula is a powder with no other inactive ingredients listed.

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 Ribose's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: energy support and muscle recovery.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Heart failure, Coronary heart disease (CHD), Muscle soreness — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Ribose is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Ribose is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Coronary heart disease (CHD), Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Congestive heart failure (CHF), Fibromyalgia, and more.

The evidence for ribose is mixed and limited. For athletic performance and McArdle disease, it's rated possibly ineffective.

For restless legs syndrome, heart failure, muscle soreness, and recovery after heart bypass surgery, there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to know whether it works. If you're considering ribose for one of these uses, talk it over with your doctor about whether there's a better-studied option for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Ribose

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.

Ribose is generally well tolerated for short-term use — up to about a month in studies — but its long-term safety hasn't been well studied. The main concern is that it can lower your blood sugar.

Common side effects when taken by mouth include diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, and low blood sugar. Some people report anxiety, lightheadedness, or increased appetite, though lowering the dose has resolved these in some cases.

There isn't enough safety information to recommend ribose during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Ribose

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 — Ribose.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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 Carlson's Ribose, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any antidiabetes drugs (like metformin or sulfonylureas) or insulin. Both carry Moderate-severity risk of low blood sugar when combined with ribose.

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.

Ribose may interest people looking for athletic or energy support, but evidence for most uses is thin or absent. The real concern here is blood sugar — if you take diabetes medications or insulin, this product could push your levels too low.

Check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, and discuss whether ribose makes sense for what you're trying to do.

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 May 19, 2022.

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 Ribose, straight from the product label.

Brand Carlson
Barcode (UPC) 088395088247
Net contents 150 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 265643
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Ribose by Carlson, 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:
5 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
5 Gram(s)
UPC/BARCODE
088395088247
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories20 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates5 Gram(s)2%
Total Sugars5 Gram(s)--
added Sugars5 Gram(s)10%
pure D-Ribose5 Gram(s)--

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

Convenient single serving packets Easily dissolves in any beverage Ideal for your exercise regimen

Non-GMO

Energy support Muscle recovery Current research suggests Ribose promotes Energy production Muscle endurance Muscle recovery Cardiac efficiency

Support energy levels naturally with ribose What is Ribose? Pure D-Ribose is an all-natural, five-carbon sugar that’s important for producing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the primary source of energy for all of our cellular processes. Our bodies naturally produce Ribose; however, it’s often a slow process, and exercise can quickly deplete energy reserves within muscle tissue. Amp up your body before your next workout. Ribose supports healthy energy levels, promotes muscle endurance, and shortens recovery time following intense exercise.

Gluten-free Milk/casein-free No artificial preservative

Potency & quality guaranteed An FDA regulated facility

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 Statements

30-single serving packets 30-5 g servings

Please recycle

Formula

100% pure D-Ribose

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Adults: Take one packet one to two times daily for dietary supplementation. Stir into any beverage.

Storage

Store away from heat and moisture.

Precautions

Warning: Insulin-dependent diabetics, hypoglycemics and pregnant or lactating women should consult with their doctor before using this product.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Ribose by Carlson label

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

Ribose label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Ribose by Carlson

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

Serving size5 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Amounts shown are per serving.

Pure D-Ribose

Interacts with
86 drugs
5 Gram(s) per serving

Ribose (D-ribose) is a simple sugar your body makes naturally and uses to build energy molecules like ATP. Some people take it for fatigue, fibromyalg...

Pure D-Ribose monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Ribose by Carlson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Ribose?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

pure D-Ribose 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Ribose interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Ribose interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. pure D-Ribose

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Ribose 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.

pure D-Ribose2 drug types · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking ribose in combination with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In clinical research, ribose decreases serum glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Insulin

Theoretically, taking ribose with insulin could increase the hypoglycemic effect of insulin.
In clinical pharmacokinetic studies, oral administration of ribose modestly increased serum insulin levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
pure D-Ribose full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Carlson

See all Carlson products
Name
Carlson Division of J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc.
City
Arlington Heights
State
IL
ZipCode
60004
Phone Number
888-234-5656
Web Address
www.carlsonlabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Ribose by Carlson: Common Questions

Does Ribose by Carlson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Ribose has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Ribose 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.
Does ribose actually help with athletic performance?
The evidence says it's possibly ineffective for athletic performance. That doesn't mean it never helps anyone, but the research doesn't support it as a reliable choice for that goal right now.
What are the most common side effects?
Diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, and nausea are the main ones people report when taking ribose by mouth. Lowering your dose has resolved nausea in some cases. Low blood sugar is also possible, especially if you take diabetes or insulin medications.
How long can I safely take ribose?
Studies show ribose is generally well tolerated for up to about 1 month. Beyond that, we don't have good long-term safety data, so it's worth checking in with your doctor if you're thinking of using it longer.
Is ribose safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to recommend it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's okay in your situation.
Will ribose lower my blood sugar?
Yes — ribose can lower blood glucose levels. If you don't take diabetes medications, a modest drop probably isn't a concern, but if you take antidiabetes drugs or insulin, combining them with ribose could cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

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

Not sure if Ribose 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.

Ribose label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Ribose’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Ribose

Interacts with 86 drugs

Ribose (D-ribose) is a simple sugar your body makes naturally and uses to build energy molecules like ATP. Some people take it for fatigue, fibromyalgia, exercise recovery, or heart conditio...

Read the full Ribose monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Ribose'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 8 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.

Ribose 8 references
  1. Segal S, Foley J. The metabolism of D-ribose in man. J Clin Invest 1958;37:719-35. PubMed
  2. Perlmutter NS, Wilson RA, Angello DA, et al. Ribose facilitates thallium-201 redistribution in patients with coronary artery disease. J Nucl Med 1991;32:193-200.
  3. Hegewald MG, Palac RT, Angello DA, et al. Ribose infusion accelerates thallium redistribution with early imaging compared with late 24-hour imaging without ribose. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991;18:1671-81. PubMed
  4. Pliml W, von Arnim T, Stalein A, et al. Effects of ribose on excercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease. Lancet 1992;340:507-10.
  5. Burke ER. D-Ribose What You Need To Know. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group 1999;1-43.
  6. Gross M, Reiter S, Zollner N. Metabolism of D-ribose administered continuously to healthy persons and to patients with myoadenylate deaminase deficiency. Klin Wochenschr 1989;67:1205-13. PubMed
  7. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:857-62. PubMed
  8. Thompson J, Neutel J, Homer K, Tempero K, Shah A, Khankari R. Evaluation of D-ribose pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, food effect, and pharmacodynamics after oral solution administration in healthy male and female subjects. J Clin Pharmacol 2014;54 PubMed

See these in context on the Ribose 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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