Betaine hydrochloride
Scientific names: Trimethylglycine hydrochloride
Alternate names: Acide Chlorhydrique de Bétaïne, Betaine Chlorhydrate, Betaine HCl, Bétaïne HCl, Betaine Hydrochloric Acid, Chlorhidrato de Betaína, Chlorhydrate de Bétaïne, Chlorhydrate de Triméthylglycine, Glycine Betaine Hydrochloric acid
Actions: Gastric reacidification, Homocysteine-lowering
Background
Betaine is found naturally in the body. Betaine hydrochloride is a man-made form of betaine previously used as a source of hydrochloric acid.
Betaine hydrochloride was previously available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to increase stomach acid in people with low stomach acid. But the US FDA banned its use in OTC products due to a lack of information about whether it is safe and effective.
Betaine hydrochloride is used for many conditions, including diarrhea, increasing stomach acid, and others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Don't confuse betaine hydrochloride with betaine anhydrous.
Betaine hydrochloride was previously available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to increase stomach acid in people with low stomach acid. But the US FDA banned its use in OTC products due to a lack of information about whether it is safe and effective.
Betaine hydrochloride is used for many conditions, including diarrhea, increasing stomach acid, and others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Don't confuse betaine hydrochloride with betaine anhydrous.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Betaine hydrochloride is possibly safe when taken as a single dose. There isn't enough reliable information to know if betaine hydrochloride is safe when taken in multiple doses. It might cause heartburn.
Peptic ulcer disease: Betaine hydrochloride can increase stomach acid. There is a concern that the hydrochloric acid produced from betaine hydrochloride might irritate stomach ulcers or keep them from healing.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if betaine hydrochloride is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Peptic ulcer disease: Betaine hydrochloride can increase stomach acid. There is a concern that the hydrochloric acid produced from betaine hydrochloride might irritate stomach ulcers or keep them from healing.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using betaine hydrochloride for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of betaine hydrochloride might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Antacids
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Betaine hydrochloride can increase stomach acid. Taking betaine hydrochloride might decrease the effects of antacids.
Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. Betaine hydrochloride can increase stomach acid. Taking betaine hydrochloride might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.
Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Proton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Betaine hydrochloride can increase stomach acid. Taking betaine hydrochloride might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors.
Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per tablet:
- Betaine hydrochloride 400 mg
- L-glutamic acid 100 mg
- Pepsin (porcine) 100 mg
Practitioner product
Per 8 g (Lemonade Ice Block):
- Betaine hydrochloride 1 g
- Creatine monohydrate 1.5 g
- Caffeine 150 mg
- Guanidinoacetic Acid (GAA) (Creatine) 500 mg
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Citrulline malate amino acid (L-Citrulline) 3 g
- L-theanine 125 mg
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) 150 mg
- Huperzia serrata equiv. huperzine A 2.5 mg
- Silicon dioxide
- Citric acid anhydrous
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This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
