Meta Information
ID:taurine
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Renal Impairment
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Taurine is primarily cleared from the body by the kidneys. In individuals with impaired kidney function, taurine can accumulate to potentially harmful levels, exacerbating renal stress.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taurine supplementation if you have any stage of kidney disease, unless directed by a nephrologist.
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Taurine may lower blood pressure through various mechanisms, including vasodilation and regulation of the renin-angiotensin system. This can have an additive effect with antihypertensive drugs, increasing the risk of hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure).
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before combining; regular blood pressure monitoring is essential if used together.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Taurine can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. When taken with diabetes medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin), it can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood glucose very closely and consult your doctor, as medication dosages may need adjustment.
Target id:
/intervention/lithium
Target name:
Lithium
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Taurine may alter how the body excretes lithium by affecting kidney function and electrolyte balance. This could change lithium concentrations in the blood, potentially leading to toxicity or reduced therapeutic effect.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking taurine if you are on lithium, unless specifically approved and monitored by your psychiatrist.
Target id:
/class/cns-depressants
Target name:
CNS Depressants (e.g., Sedatives, Alcohol)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Taurine has calming effects by acting as an agonist on GABA receptors in the brain. This can potentiate the sedative effects of other CNS depressants like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol, leading to excessive drowsiness or respiratory depression.
Actionable advice:
Use with extreme caution when combining with sedatives or alcohol, and avoid driving or operating machinery.
Target id:
/intervention/beta-alanine
Target name:
Beta-Alanine
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Beta-alanine and taurine compete for the same transport protein (TauT) for uptake into cells, particularly in muscle and brain tissue. High-dose, simultaneous intake can reduce the absorption and cellular uptake of both compounds.
Actionable advice:
Separate doses of taurine and beta-alanine by at least 2 hours to ensure optimal absorption of each.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
While taurine is essential for fetal development, the safety of high-dose supplementation during pregnancy has not been established. It should be avoided due to unknown risks.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taurine supplements during pregnancy unless specifically prescribed by your physician.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is unknown if supplemental taurine passes into breast milk in significant amounts or what its effect on a nursing infant might be. Therefore, it should be avoided out of caution.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taurine supplements while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/condition/bipolar-disorder
Target name:
Bipolar Disorder
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Due to its effects on GABAergic neurotransmission and its potential interaction with mood-stabilizing medications like lithium, taurine supplementation could theoretically affect mood stability in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Actionable advice:
Consult with your psychiatrist before considering taurine supplementation if you have bipolar disorder.
Target id:
/dietary/high-protein-meal
Target name:
Large Protein Meal
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
2
Description:
As an amino sulfonic acid, taurine competes with other amino acids from a protein-rich meal for absorption transporters in the gut. This competition may slightly reduce its peak concentration and overall bioavailability.
Actionable advice:
For maximal absorption, take taurine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
There is a theoretical risk based on some in-vitro evidence that taurine may have mild antiplatelet effects. This could potentially increase the risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before using if you take blood-thinning medication; monitor for unusual bruising or bleeding.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Taurine's calming effect on the central nervous system, mediated by its action on GABA receptors, may help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality for some individuals.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking your daily dose of taurine about 30-60 minutes before bedtime to support sleep.
Target id:
/intervention/caffeine
Target name:
Caffeine
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Taurine may modulate the excitatory effects of caffeine, potentially reducing some of the associated jitteriness and anxiety by acting on inhibitory GABA receptors. This is a primary reason for its inclusion in many energy drinks.
Actionable advice:
Taking taurine concurrently with caffeine may help mitigate some of the stimulant's unwanted side effects.
Target id:
/class/chemotherapy-radiation
Target name:
Cytotoxic Cancer Therapies
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Preclinical research suggests taurine may protect healthy cells from the toxic side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin) and radiation. However, it could also theoretically interfere with treatment efficacy.
Actionable advice:
Do not take taurine or any antioxidant during cancer treatment without explicit approval from your oncologist.