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Dietary supplement

Taurine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

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

Taurine is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for exercise performance and endurance, heart health, energy support.Based on those ingredients, 173 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Taurine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Taurine 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 one active ingredient: taurine, an amino acid your body makes naturally and gets from protein-rich foods. The capsule also holds four inactive ingredients—hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, ascorbyl palmitate, and silica—which are fillers and binders used to 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

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

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Taurine 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: Congestive heart failure (CHF) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hepatitis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold shows taurine is possibly effective for hepatitis and for congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition where the heart doesn't pump blood efficiently. For obesity, the evidence suggests taurine is possibly ineffective.

If you're considering it for another purpose, the evidence may not be established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Taurine

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.

Taurine is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth in typical doses for up to a year. The most common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Rare serious reactions include allergic responses—especially in people sensitive to sulfites or sulfur-containing compounds—and, in one case report, cardiovascular symptoms after energy drinks containing taurine and other ingredients, though it's unclear whether taurine alone was responsible. Long-term safety beyond one year is less certain, so use this supplement only under medical guidance if you plan extended use.

Taurine is likely safe in pregnancy and lactation, and it occurs naturally in breast milk, but supplement safety during breastfeeding hasn't been well studied—talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Taurine

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 — Taurine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 173 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.

Check your exact medications before starting, especially if you take blood pressure drugs (antihypertensives) or lithium—both have Moderate interactions with taurine. No other interactions are documented for the ingredient we could check.

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.

Taurine may help with hepatitis or congestive heart failure if that's why you're considering it. If you take blood pressure medication or lithium, check with us or your pharmacist first—these two drug types interact with taurine.

Otherwise, it's generally well tolerated for short-term use.

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 Aug 23, 2020.

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 Taurine, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539978351
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2020
DSLD ID 232827
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses 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 Taurine 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
310539978351
IngredientAmount% DV
Taurine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, 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 Use: Take 1 capsule, 1-3 times daily, between meals, or as directed by a health professional.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, or nursing, or if you are taking perscription medications, consult your health professional before using this product.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten-free, Non-GMO

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity. Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Taurine by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Taurine by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Taurine

Interacts with
173 drugs
500 mg per serving

Taurine is an amino acid your body makes naturally and that you also get from animal foods. It is widely used in energy drinks and sports supplements,...

Taurine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Taurine by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Taurine?

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
173Drugs
173 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Taurine 173

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Taurine 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.

Taurine2 drug types · 173 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taurine might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Some clinical evidence suggests that taurine can reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, taurine might reduce excretion and increase plasma levels of lithium.
Taurine is thought to have diuretic properties, which might reduce the excretion of lithium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Taurine, 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
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taurine by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Taurine by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Taurine has a known interaction with 173 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Taurine 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Taurine is rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation, and it's naturally in breast milk. But supplement safety during breastfeeding hasn't been well studied, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion are the most common. Taurine is generally well tolerated in typical doses for up to a year.
Is taurine safe long-term?
Safety data for long-term use beyond one year is less certain. Use this supplement only under medical guidance if you plan to take it for extended periods.
Does taurine work for weight loss?
The evidence we have suggests taurine is possibly ineffective for obesity. If you're considering it for weight management, talk to your pharmacist about other evidence or options.
What exactly is taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid your body makes naturally and you get from protein-rich foods. It plays roles in heart function, nerve signaling, and other processes.

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

Not sure if Taurine 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.

Taurine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Taurine'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 21 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.

Taurine 21 references
  1. Ahmad S, Robertson HT, Golper TA, et al. Multicenter trial of L-carnitine in maintenance hemodialysis patients. II. Clinical and biochemical effects. Kidney Int 1990;38:912-8. PubMed
  2. Machado-Vieira R, Viale CI, Kapczinski F. Mania associated with an energy drink: the possible role of caffeine, taurine, and inositol. Can J Psychiatry 2001;46:454-5. PubMed
  3. Obermann M, Schorn CF, Mummel P, et al. Taurine induced toxic encephalopathy? Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2006;108:812-3. PubMed
  4. Bichler, A., Swenson, A., and Harris, M. A. A combination of caffeine and taurine has no effect on short term memory but induces changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. Amino Acids 2006;31(4):471-476. PubMed
  5. Iyadurai, S. J. and Chung, S. S. New-onset seizures in adults: possible association with consumption of popular energy drinks. Epilepsy Behav 2007;10(3):504-508. PubMed
  6. Berger, A. J. and Alford, K. Cardiac arrest in a young man following excess consumption of caffeinated "energy drinks". Med J Aust. 1-5-2009;190(1):41-43. PubMed
  7. Worthley, M. I., Prabhu, A., De, Sciscio P., Schultz, C., Sanders, P., and Willoughby, S. R. Detrimental effects of energy drink consumption on platelet and endothelial function. Am J Med 2010;123(2):184-187. PubMed
  8. Morchon, Simon D. and Perez Castrillon, J. L. [Hypoglycemia by intake of taurine]. Rev.Clin Esp. 2010;210(1):49.
  9. Livshits, Z., Hoffman, R. S., Hymes, K. B., and Nelson, L. S. If vitamins could kill: massive hemolysis following naturopathic vitamin infusion. J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(3):224-226. PubMed
  10. Schoffl, I., Kothmann, J. F., Schoffl, V., Rupprecht, H. D., and Rupprecht, T. "Vodka energy": too much for the adolescent nephron? Pediatrics 2011;128(1):e227-e231. PubMed
  11. Calabro, R. S., Italiano, D., Gervasi, G., and Bramanti, P. Single tonic-clonic seizure after energy drink abuse. Epilepsy Behav 2012;23(3):384-385. PubMed
  12. Fujita, T., Ando, K., Noda, H., Ito, Y., and Sato, Y. Effects of increased adrenomedullary activity and taurine in young patients with borderline hypertension. Circulation 1987;75(3):525-532. PubMed
  13. Darling, P. B., Lepage, G., Leroy, C., Masson, P., and Roy, C. C. Effect of taurine supplements on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Res 1985;19(6):578-582. PubMed
  14. Fukuyama, Y. and Ochiai, Y. Therapeutic trial by taurine for intractable childhood epilepsies. Brain Dev. 1982;4(1):63-69. PubMed
  15. Franconi, F., Bennardini, F., Mattana, A., Miceli, M., Ciuti, M., Mian, M., Gironi, A., Anichini, R., and Seghieri, G. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of taurine supplementation. Am.J. DOI
  16. Stohs SJ, Miller M. A case study involving allergic reactions to sulfur-containing compounds including, sulfite, taurine, acesulfame potassium and sulfonamides. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Jan;63:240-3. PubMed
  17. Sun Q, Wang B, Li Y, Sun F, et al. Taurine supplementation lowers blood pressure and improves vascular function in prehypertension: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension 2016 Mar;67(3):541-9. PubMed
  18. Jang ES, Hwang SH, Kim JW, Jeong SH. Effectiveness of 4-week oral taurine treatment for muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis: a single-arm pilot study. Yonsei Med J 2021;62(1):21-8. PubMed
  19. Guan L, Miao P. The effects of taurine supplementation on obesity, blood pressure and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Pharmacol 2020;885:173533. PubMed
  20. Higgins JP, Liras GN, Liras IN, et al. Energy Drink Effects on Hemodynamics and Endothelial Function in Young Adults. Cardiology. 2021;146(2):258-262. PubMed
  21. Pallangyo P, Bhalia SV, Komba M, et al. Acute Myocardial Infarction Following the Consumption of Energy Drink in a 28-Year-Old Male: A Case Report. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2023 Jan-Dec;11:23247096231168811. PubMed

See these in context on the Taurine 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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