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 4 g (Lemon Twist):
- Betaine hydrochloride 250 mg
- Calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate monohydrate 750 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus 500 mg
- Camellia sinensis 100 mg
- Theacrine 75 mg
- Caffeine 125 mg
- Beta alanine 1 g
- Creatine hydrochloride 500 mg
- Taurine 250 mg
- Polyphenolic fulvic minerals (Cell Charge™) 5 mg
- Natural flavours
- Malic acid
- Silicon dioxide
- Stevia rebaubiana
Per tablet:
- Betaine hydrochloride 10 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 50 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 20 mg
- Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3) 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 220 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 100 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 91.6 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 41 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 μg
- Retinyl palmitate 750 μg RE equiv. vitamin A 2500 IU
- Folic acid 150 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- Cholecalciferol 2.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 100 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 50 mg equiv. vitamin E 50 IU
- Aminobenzoic acid (PABA) 20 mg
- Biotin 50 μg
- Choline bitartrate 50 mg
- L-glutamine 50 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Lecithin 50 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 50 mg
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA) 25 mg
- Taurine 125 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate 50 mg equiv. calcium 11.5 mg
- Chromium amino acid chelate 200 μg equiv. chromium 4 μg
- Cobaltous chloride hexahydrate 100 μg equiv. cobalt 36 μg
- Copper amino acid chelate 100 μg equiv. copper 6 μg
- Potassium iodide 40.5 μg equiv. iodine 31 μg
- Lithium carbonate 600 μg equiv. lithium 112 μg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 500 μg equiv. manganese 162.5 μg
- Magnesium phosphate pentahydrate 33.88 mg equiv. magnesium 7 mg
- Magnesium aspartate tetrahydrate 11.87 mg equiv. magnesium 0.8 mg
- Sodium molybdate 100 μg equiv. molybdenum 46.6 μg
- Potassium phosphate - tribasic 30 mg equiv. potassium 14 mg
- Potassium aspartate 13.82 mg equiv. potassium 3 mg
- Rubidium chloride 25 μg equiv. rubidium 18 μg
- Zinc gluconate 100 mg equiv. zinc 14.4 mg
- Dunaliella salina cell powder (Green micro-algae) 150 mg equiv. beta-carotene 6 mg
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This monograph was last reviewed on 18/02/2022 23:20:55. 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.
