Meta Information
ID:inositol
Name:
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-05-21T22:30:00Z
Model
phase-a-upgrade-claude-sonnet-4.6
Interactions
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Inositol improves insulin sensitivity and can lower blood glucose, potentially enhancing the effects of medications like metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or GLP-1 agonists.
Actionable advice:
Blood glucose levels are best monitored closely when combining with diabetes drugs to avoid hypoglycemia.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Objective To compare the effects of metformin alone versus combined therapy of metformin with myoinositol (MI) plus D-chiro-inositol (DCI) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Label source:
PubMed: Comparison of Clinical, Metabolic and Hormonal Effects of Metformin Versus Combined Therapy of Metformin With Myoinositol Plus D-Chiro-Inositol in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Randomized Controlled Trial. (PMID 34268040)
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/class/glucose-lowering-supplements
Target name:
Glucose-Lowering Supplements
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Inositol has an additive effect with other supplements that lower blood sugar, such as berberine or alpha-lipoic acid, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Caution is warranted, and blood sugar should be monitored, when combining with other glucose-lowering supplements.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Myoinositol and D-chiroinositol improve insulin resistance in women with obesity and gestational diabetes and in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
Label source:
PubMed: The effect of combined inositol supplementation on maternal metabolic profile in pregnancies complicated by metabolic syndrome and obesity. (PMID 27255472)
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/intervention/lithium
Target name:
Lithium
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Lithium's therapeutic mechanism for bipolar disorder involves depleting inositol in the brain; supplementing with inositol may directly counteract its intended effects.
Actionable advice:
Inositol is best avoided with lithium therapy unless specifically directed by a psychiatrist.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Lithium inhibition of inositol monophosphatase, an enzyme required for inositol recycling and de novo synthesis, suggested the hypothesis that lithium depletes brain inositol and attenuates phosphoinositide signaling.
Label source:
PubMed: Valproate decreases inositol biosynthesis. (PMID 15576064)
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/condition/bipolar-disorder
Target name:
Bipolar Disorder
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
There is a theoretical concern that high-dose inositol could worsen manic symptoms or induce mania in individuals with bipolar disorder, although evidence is limited.
Actionable advice:
Inositol is best not used in bipolar disorder without consulting a psychiatrist.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Those who had worsening in depressive symptoms on inositol had significantly higher scores at baseline on the YMRS total score and irritability, disruptive/aggressive behavior and unkempt appearance items.
Label source:
PubMed: Bipolar disorders (2006)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Furthermore, a controlled dosage of inositols, up to 6 grams/daily, may reduce the side effects caused by lithium therapy, without hindering its central therapeutic role on patients' mood.
Label source:
PubMed: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2021)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Limited evidence found that inositol may be helpful for bipolar depression, but larger sample sizes are needed.
Label source:
PubMed: Psychotherapy and psychosomatics (2013)
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/class/serotonergic-agents
Target name:
Serotonergic Medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, etc.)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Inositol acts as a second messenger in serotonin signaling pathways and may have a mild, generally safe, additive effect with serotonergic medications.
Actionable advice:
This potential additive effect is worth keeping in mind, although the clinical risk is considered very low.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Inositol is a simple polyol precursor in a second messenger system important in the brain.
Label source:
PubMed: Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry. (PMID 9169302)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal (for GI comfort) (Glycemic Context)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
informational
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
At high doses (typically over 12 grams per day), inositol can cause gastrointestinal side effects like gas or diarrhea; taking it with food can mitigate this discomfort.
Actionable advice:
If you experience stomach upset from high doses, take inositol with a small meal or snack.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
The main outcome was that only the highest dose of myo-inositol (12 g/day) induced mild gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, flatus and diarrhea. The severity of side effects did not increase with the dosage.
Label source:
PubMed: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2011)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Myo-inositol likely causes fewer gastrointestinal adverse events compared with metformin; however, these are typically mild and self-limited.
Label source:
PubMed: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (2024)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/intervention/choline
Target name:
Choline
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Inositol and choline are both components of phospholipids in cell membranes (phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine) and work together to support cellular structure and signaling.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking choline and inositol together to support overall cellular and neurological health.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
We focused on two metabolites involved in glia: myo-Inositol (myo-Ins) and total Choline (tCho), measured in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), relating them to quantitative dMRI metrics derived from Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) and WM Tract Integrity-Watson (WMTI-W) biophysical model, including mean diffusivity and kurtosis, axonal water fraction and extra-axonal diffusivities in the whole white matter.
Label source:
PubMed: Myo-inositol concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with changes in brain white matter microstructure in early psychosis. (PMID 42230558)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/intervention/folate
Target name:
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Inositol and folate play complementary roles in neural development and function, and their combination has been studied for preventing neural tube defects.
Actionable advice:
Taking inositol with folate may provide synergistic benefits for neurological health.
Validation status:
validated_via_expert_review
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
expert_review_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Inositol increases flux through the inositol/lipid cycle
Label source:
Primary literature: Inositol/Folate Neural Tube Closure
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
While studied for conditions like gestational diabetes and appearing generally safe, any supplement use during pregnancy requires medical guidance to ensure maternal and fetal safety.
Actionable advice:
It is important to talk to a healthcare provider before using inositol during pregnancy.
Validation status:
anecdotal
Evidence tier:
tier_d
Evidence basis:
anecdotal_summary
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
Research suggests that dietary supplements containing myo-inositol could reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
Label source:
Anecdotal: NIH
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
There is insufficient data on the safety of high-dose inositol supplementation while breastfeeding; medical consultation is necessary to weigh risks and benefits.
Actionable advice:
It is important to talk to a healthcare provider before using inositol while breastfeeding.
Validation status:
anecdotal
Evidence tier:
tier_d
Evidence basis:
anecdotal_summary
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
There isn't enough reliable information to know if inositol is safe to use when breast-feeding.
Label source:
Anecdotal: WebMD
Action type:
informational_none