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Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects and Blood Sugar
Alpha lipoic acid side effects are usually mild: nausea, stomach pain, rash and itching. The bigger concern is blood sugar. Alpha lipoic acid may lower glucose and add to the effect of diabetes medicine. Synaptril lists it second in its blend, with the amount hidden.
Written by the Synaptril label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The short answer01
What are the side effects of alpha lipoic acid?
The usual alpha lipoic acid side effects are skin rash, itching, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness.
The Linus Pauling Institute says oral doses up to 1,800 mg a day for 6 months, and 1,200 mg for 2 years, were not tied to serious harm in studies (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid). Memorial Sloan Kettering also lists low blood sugar (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid).
Studies mostly looked at diabetes nerve pain, not memory. The same Institute calls the evidence for thinking and dementia too limited to draw conclusions (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid).
Blood sugar02
Does alpha lipoic acid lower blood sugar?
Yes, it may. Lipoic acid can improve glucose uptake, so people using insulin or diabetes pills should watch blood sugar closely (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid).
MSKCC says it may add to the effect of drugs that lower blood sugar (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid). It also notes that in people with certain genes it may trigger insulin autoimmune syndrome, a cause of low blood sugar episodes.
One case report describes a woman who developed this after taking 600 mg a day for shoulder pain. Episodes usually eased after stopping, and remission could take about three months (Okuroglu 2020, ALA and IAS).
Shakiness, sweating, hunger, confusion or fast heartbeat. Treat as your doctor has taught you and call them. Sudden confusion that does not clear: call 911.
Who should be careful03
Who should avoid alpha lipoic acid?
Talk to a doctor first if you take diabetes medicine, have low blood sugar episodes, are pregnant or nursing, or are in cancer treatment.
| Group | Why |
|---|---|
| Insulin or diabetes pills | May add to glucose lowering (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid) (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid) |
| History of low blood sugar | Possible autoimmune low blood sugar (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid) (Okuroglu 2020, ALA and IAS) |
| Chemotherapy or radiation | Antioxidant may interfere (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid) |
| Breastfeeding | Safety not established (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid) |
Children have accidentally swallowed it and had seizures (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid). Keep bottles out of reach.
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See packsIn Synaptril04
How much alpha lipoic acid is in Synaptril?
The label does not say. Alpha lipoic acid is second in the 575 mg blend, so it can be no more than 288 mg per capsule.
Pure magnesium glycinate would take about 570 mg of the blend. Even in a generous case, where it takes 400 mg, alpha lipoic acid holds at most 175 mg. The 20% figure is our assumption, not a published number.
Studies used 300 to 1,800 mg a day (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid). So Synaptril likely sits below those doses, which may lower the chance of side effects but also means study results do not apply to it. Details on the alpha lipoic acid page.
The label says to consult a physician if you take a medication. See supplements and medicines. Keep taking any prescribed medicine; do not change it because of a supplement.
FAQ05
Alpha lipoic acid side effect questions
Can alpha lipoic acid cause nausea?
Yes. Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain are among the most common effects (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid) (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid). If it happens, stop and ask your pharmacist or doctor. Keep a note of the dose and the time it started.
Is alpha lipoic acid safe with metformin or insulin?
Ask your doctor first. It may lower glucose and add to the effect of diabetes drugs (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid) (MSKCC, Alpha-lipoic acid). If you use both, your doctor may want you to check blood sugar more often.
What is insulin autoimmune syndrome?
It is a rare condition where the body makes antibodies against its own insulin, causing low blood sugar. Case reports tie it to alpha lipoic acid in people with certain gene types (Okuroglu 2020, ALA and IAS). Episodes usually ease after stopping.
How long do alpha lipoic acid side effects last?
Mild ones such as nausea usually fade soon after you stop. For the rare autoimmune low sugar case, remission could take about three months (Okuroglu 2020, ALA and IAS). See a doctor for any repeat low sugar.
Does the 600 mg dose in studies apply to Synaptril?
No. The 600 mg a day used in small dementia studies (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic acid) is above the 288 mg ceiling set by Synaptril's blend order, and likely well above the real amount. Results from those studies cannot be applied to this capsule.
Should I stop alpha lipoic acid before surgery?
Tell your surgical team about every supplement well before the date. FDA and NCCIH both advise this (NIH ODS, Supplements: What to know) (NCCIH, Using supplements wisely). Alpha lipoic acid may change blood sugar, so your team will want to plan for it.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Getsynaptril, a stocked U.S. Synaptril counter, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We are paid when you buy through our order links.
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