Inositol side effects

Inositol side effects are relatively mild and have been well documented. Importantly, there is high quality research showing inositol to provide equal benefits, and with fewer side effects, than drugs such as fluvoxamine (Luvox - part of the Prozac "family"), for example in treating panic disorder.

What are the main side effects of inositol?

1. You get better!

I am not just being flip.

There is EXCELLENT scientific evidence to show that inositol is an effective treatment for mood swings, depression, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is a proven treatment for bipolar depression, especially for those with high basleine levels levels of anger and hostility. (See Goodwin and Jamison "Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression", 2007, p. 791.)

See benefits of inositol to discover more.

2. The published research has concluded side effects of inositol to be minor. They mainly consist of "upset tummy" symptoms that often go away as the body adjusts. This means things like gas and diarrhea. Often this only occurs when taking relatively large doses. Mental and emotional health benefits occur at doses ranging from 6 to 20 grams of inositol per day so if you are taking closer to 20 grams and get tummy upsets, it may be possible to cut the dose, reduce the side effects, and still get a positive result.

3. There is one potential side effect that does warrant caution and that really needs to be publicized more. Inositol may be UNSAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

However, pregnant women need to be very cautious about inositol as it MAY INDUCE CONTRACTIONS. The evidence for this comes from the relationship between inositol and oxytocin - a frequently used uterine stimulator with well documented clinical use in labor wards to aid delivery. Learn more about this side effect.

Why does inositol have such a benign side effect profile? Simple. It is because it is water soluble and so any excess gets excreted by the body's normal functioning, instead of allowing any toxic accumulation.

In summary, the side effects of inositol are minimal, especially compared with most of the drugs used to treat bipolar. However, there is not enough research to say it can be used as the major treatment instead of meds for serious cases of Bipolar I - use it as a supplement instead and always discuss with your medical expert.

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