Side effects
MemoPryl Side Effects, Interactions and When to Stop
MemoPryl side effects depend on its six named ingredients: stomach upset, dizziness and headache are most common. The bigger risks are interactions: St. John's wort with many medicines, ginkgo with blood thinners and carnitine with seizure disorders. Ask a pharmacist first.
Prepared by the MemoPryl label deskUpdated
Side effects01
Does MemoPryl have side effects?
MemoPryl can have side effects, but no safety study of the finished product exists, so the list comes from its six named ingredients. Nobody can tell you the exact rate for the capsule, because its amounts are not published.
The common ones across the six are mild: stomach upset, nausea, dizziness and headache. Ginkgo is generally well tolerated, with dizziness, stomach upset and headache the usual complaints (NCCIH, Ginkgo). Bacopa side effects are described as minor and short-lived, with rates close to placebo in trials (LiverTox, Bacopa).
The table sets out each name. A safe list on paper does not guarantee that a capsule is safe for you. A bottle with a different formula would have a different list.
| Ingredient | Reported side effects | Main caution |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphatidylserine | No serious problems in small trials | May lower blood pressure or raise bleeding risk (ADDF, phosphatidylserine) |
| Ginkgo biloba leaf | Dizziness, stomach upset, headache | Bleeding risk with blood thinners; seizure caution; not for pregnancy (EMA/HMPC, Ginkgo monograph) |
| N-acetyl L-carnitine HCl | Nausea, cramps, diarrhea, fishy odor at about 3 g a day | Seizures in people with seizure disorders (NIH ODS, Carnitine) |
| St. John's wort | Diarrhea, dizziness, trouble sleeping, restlessness, skin tingling | Many drug interactions; sun sensitivity (NCCIH, St. John's wort) |
| Bacopa (brahmi) | Stomach upset, nausea, dry mouth | May raise thyroid hormone; may change levels of some drugs (Merck Manual, Bacopa) |
| L-glutamine | Belching, nausea, gut discomfort at high doses | Small studies only (Ogden 2020, L-glutamine tolerance) |
Safety02
Is MemoPryl safe to take?
Whether MemoPryl is safe to take depends on your health, your medicines and the formula in your bottle. No one can call it safe for everyone, and no one can call it unsafe for everyone.
The FDA does not approve supplements before sale (FDA, using supplements). Firms are responsible for the safety of their products, but the FDA does not review that evidence first (FDA, supplements Q&A). So the checking falls to you and your pharmacist.
"Natural" does not mean safe (NIH ODS, supplements basics). Ginkgo seeds are toxic when eaten, and St. John's wort can cause dangerous interactions (NCCIH, Ginkgo) (NCCIH, St. John's wort).
Three steps that lower the risk
- Match every ingredient on your bottle to the six names. If the list differs, ask the order desk at Order desk before you take it.
- Show the bottle and your medicine list to a pharmacist.
- Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Never swap a prescription for a supplement.
Interactions03
Which medicines does MemoPryl interact with?
MemoPryl's named herbs may interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, birth control pills, seizure medicines and more. St. John's wort carries the widest list, and ginkgo the clearest bleeding warning.
St. John's wort is a strong inducer of liver enzymes. That can weaken cyclosporine, some HIV drugs, birth control pills, warfarin, digoxin and benzodiazepines (NCCIH, herb-drug interactions). With certain antidepressants, it can raise serotonin to a dangerous level (NCCIH, St. John's wort in depth).
Ginkgo with warfarin is linked to a higher risk of major bleeding than warfarin alone (NCCIH, herb-drug interactions). It is also noted to reduce the effect of efavirenz (MSK, Ginkgo).
Serotonin warning signs
Agitation, diarrhea, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, hallucinations or a high body temperature after mixing St. John's wort with an antidepressant need urgent care (NCCIH, St. John's wort in depth).
Bleeding and surgery
Tell your surgical team about ginkgo. The European monograph says to stop it 3 to 4 days before surgery (EMA/HMPC, Ginkgo monograph), and a doctor should confirm your timing.
Carnitine and seizure drugs
Valproic acid, phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine lower blood carnitine (NIH ODS, Carnitine). Ask your neurologist first.
Bacopa and the thyroid
Bacopa may raise thyroid hormone levels, and people on thyroid hormone medicine should not take it (Merck Manual, Bacopa).
Two guides go deeper: memory supplements and medicines and who MemoPryl is for.
When to stop04
When should you stop taking MemoPryl and call a doctor?
Stop taking MemoPryl and call a doctor or pharmacist if you get a rash, unusual bleeding, a seizure, severe stomach upset or new agitation. Call 911 for sudden confusion, trouble speaking or weakness on one side.
If you think a supplement caused a serious reaction, stop using it right away and report it. The FDA takes reports from the public through its Safety Reporting Portal (FDA, report a problem).
A new symptom after you start is worth noting even if it seems small. Write down the date, the symptom and the time of your last capsule. A pharmacist will want those details.
- Daily life disruptedForgetting recently learned things, repeating questions, relying on notes for everything
- Lost in familiar placesGetting lost in your own neighborhood or on a usual route
- Trouble with usual tasksCooking, paying bills or using a phone becomes hard
- Words and namesUsing odd words for familiar things, or forgetting a close relative's name
- Mood or personality changeWithdrawal, suspicion, new anxiety or poor judgment
See a doctorAny of these signs, or memory trouble that is getting worse, is a reason to see a doctor. Early diagnosis helps with treatment and planning. A supplement should not delay it.
Go nowSudden confusion, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, or a severe sudden headache can be a stroke or another emergency. Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Warning signs from the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association (CDC, dementia signs) (Alzheimer's Assoc., 10 signs).
Smaller cautions05
Are there long-term side effects of MemoPryl?
Long-term side effects of MemoPryl are unknown, because no long-term study of the capsule exists. Trials of single ingredients mostly ran for weeks to months (ADDF, phosphatidylserine) (Pase 2012, Bacopa review).
Bacopa has not been linked to liver injury (LiverTox, Bacopa), and small phosphatidylserine trials found no serious problems. That is reassuring about those two, not about the combination.
Sun, surgery and sleep
St. John's wort can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sun protection while taking it. Ginkgo is the one to flag before any surgery. St. John's wort can cause trouble sleeping in some people, so note changes in your nights.
Look-alike products
Other listings use the name MemoPryl for different formulas. The side effects above apply only to the six named ingredients. Read your own panel.
FAQ06
MemoPryl questions people ask
What are the most common MemoPryl side effects?
Stomach upset, nausea, dizziness and headache are the most likely, based on the six named ingredients. No safety study of the finished capsule exists, so the true rate is unknown. Stop and call a pharmacist if symptoms are strong or new.
Does MemoPryl cause headaches or dizziness?
It might. Headache and dizziness are listed for ginkgo, St. John's wort and bacopa (NCCIH, Ginkgo) (LiverTox, Bacopa). If you get either soon after starting, note the time of your last capsule and ask a pharmacist before taking another one.
Can MemoPryl interact with antidepressants?
Yes, it may. St. John's wort combined with certain antidepressants can raise serotonin to a dangerous level (NCCIH, St. John's wort in depth). Do not start MemoPryl while on an antidepressant without asking the prescriber, and never stop your antidepressant on your own.
Is MemoPryl safe with warfarin or other blood thinners?
Ask your prescriber first. Ginkgo with warfarin is linked to a higher risk of major bleeding (NCCIH, herb-drug interactions), and St. John's wort can change how warfarin works. Keep taking your blood thinner as directed while you ask.
Does MemoPryl cause weight gain or stomach problems?
Our sources list weight gain only for phosphatidylserine, as a possible effect (ADDF, phosphatidylserine). Stomach upset is more often listed, for bacopa, carnitine and high-dose glutamine. Ask about food timing if your stomach reacts.
Is MemoPryl safe while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Not without a doctor's advice. Ginkgo is contraindicated in pregnancy in the European monograph and not recommended during breastfeeding (EMA/HMPC, Ginkgo monograph). Little is known about many herbs in nursing (NCCIH, women's health). Ask your obstetrician or pediatrician first.
How can I report a bad reaction to MemoPryl?
Stop taking it, get medical care if needed, and report it to the FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal (FDA, report a problem). Also tell the order desk at Order desk and keep the bottle, the lot printed on it and your order ID.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the official site, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Find our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. order-link partner, not by the maker of MemoPryl. This site earns a commission when you buy through our order links.
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