Side Effects of DMAE

DMAE, also marketed as Deanol, is an organic compound related to B vitamins that is produced in small amounts in the brain. As a dietary or medical supplement, it is used to treat tardive dyskinesia, hyperactivity, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. However, like many supplements, DMAE has the potential to cause side effects in some patients.

Oral vs. Topical

• Side effects from DMAE are most likely to occur when the supplement is taken by mouth (orally) rather than used topically, according to RxList.

Types of Side Effects

• Possible side effects of DMAE include constipation, headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, hyperactivity, abnormal dreams, confusion, depression, changes in personality, nervousness and anxiousness.

Drug Interactions

• DMAE increases the risk of side effects associated with certain medications used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease, including donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne).

Risks

• In some patients, DMAE causes an increase in blood pressure. Additionally, DMAE can cause the onset of schizophrenia symptoms or exacerbate mental illness in patients already affected by mental-health issues.

Considerations

• If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid taking DMAE. Because it has the potential to cause drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how DMAE affects you.