Overview

Taurine is an amino acid that is available in many energy drinks and over the counter as a supplement. Taurine may be used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. It seems to be well tolerated, but there is not enough research to know if high doses of taurine may cause side effects. Before taking taurine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is taurine used for?

Taurine is used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using taurine include the following.

• To lower high blood pressure
• To improve athletic performance
• To increase muscle strength
• To increase energy levels

Note: The FDA has not reviewed taurine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

Taurine is available as a dietary supplement in various strengths and dosage forms. It is also added to dietary supplements or products that contain other ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, creatine, or caffeine.

Taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, which often contain other ingredients such as caffeine, glucuronolactone, and guarana.

How does taurine work (mechanism of action)?

Taurine is an amino acid, which is a building block for protein. It has many important functions in the body, such as building protein, creating energy, and controlling the signals that are sent in your brain and throughout your body.

Taurine is found in many foods, including meat and fish. But your body makes enough taurine to meet your needs. You do not need to get a certain amount of taurine from your diet each day in order to have enough taurine in your body.

Taurine may reduce swelling (inflammation) and have antioxidant effects in the body. It can also change the way your body processes fats and sugars. This has led to interest in taking taurine supplements to improve athletic performance and muscle strength. But the benefits of taurine for these uses are not well defined.

Some research has found that taking very high doses of taurine, such as 1.5-6 grams daily, may lower blood pressure by a small amount. But this change in blood pressure may not be meaningful for people with high blood pressure. It is also not clear if smaller doses of taurine can affect blood pressure.

Since taurine plays a role in the signals that are sent in your brain, some people have proposed that taurine can have stimulant-like effects. As a result, taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, which usually also contain caffeine. But it is not clear if taurine has any effect on energy levels or tiredness. It is also not clear if combining taurine with caffeine changes the effects of caffeine in any way.

How should I store taurine?

You should store taurine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of taurine?

Taurine seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the side effects may be when taurine is taken in high doses. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of taurine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of taurine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of taurine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Taurine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking taurine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use taurine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take taurine.

• Magnesium taurate
• Taurine
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific taurine products they stock.

What should I know about taurine before using it?

Taurine is available as a dietary supplement and in many energy drinks. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep taurine out of the reach of children.

Many dietary supplements and drinks that contain taurine also contain caffeine. For example, energy drinks often contain taurine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, and other ingredients. However, these beverages are not required to state added caffeine content. Use these products with caution, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine or you regularly drink caffeinated beverages. Too much caffeine can increase your risk for side effects.

Children and adolescents can be at greater risk of some side effects from taurine, especially when it is added to energy drinks that contain caffeine. Talk to your health care provider about the risks to your child or teenager.

The FDA has not tested taurine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using taurine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if taurine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Heart problems
• Kidney or liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how taurine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Taurine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does taurine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between taurine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect taurine. But taurine is an ingredient in many energy drinks. Drinking energy drinks and alcohol around the same time can increase your risk for serious side effects. It is best not to combine energy drinks with alcohol.

Does taurine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between taurine and medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between taurine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with taurine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking taurine with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much taurine?

If you or someone else has used too much taurine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Taurine is found in over-the-counter supplements and energy drinks. Many of these products also contain caffeine. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take taurine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.