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Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made naturally in the body and also found in foods. It is used to break down carbohydrates and to make energy.
Alpha-lipoic acid can be eaten in foods, such as red meat, carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. It is also available in supplements. Because alpha-lipoic acid seems to work like an antioxidant, it might provide protection to the brain and also be helpful in certain liver diseases.
People most commonly use alpha-lipoic acid for nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is also used for obesity, altitude sickness, aging skin, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.
- Diabetic neuropathy. Oral or intravenous alpha-lipoic acid 600-1800 mg daily seems to reduce symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes.
Login for details - Hyperlipidemia. Oral alpha-lipoic acid seems to reduce levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. However, it is unclear whether alpha-lipoic acid is clinically beneficial in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Login for details - Obesity. Most research shows that oral alpha-lipoic acid seems to improve weight loss by a small amount.
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- Alcohol-related liver disease. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to improve liver function in patients with alcohol-related liver disease.
Login for details - Altitude sickness. Oral alpha-lipoic acid, in combination with vitamins C and E, does not seem to be beneficial for altitude sickness prevention or treatment.
Login for details - Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to prevent nerve pain in patients given cisplatin or oxaliplatin.
Login for details - Contrast induced nephropathy. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to prevent nephropathy after undergoing coronary angiography.
Login for details - Diabetes. Oral or intravenous alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to be beneficial for glycemic control in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Login for details - Diabetic retinopathy. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to prevent macular edema in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Login for details - HIV/AIDS-related dementia. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to improve cognitive impairment related to this condition.
Login for details - Hypertriglyceridemia. Oral alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to reduce levels of triglycerides.
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- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for AMD.
Login for details - Aging skin. Topical alpha-lipoic acid may be beneficial for aging skin.
Login for details - Alzheimer disease. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for this condition.
Login for details - Amanita mushroom poisoning. Evidence on the use of intravenous alpha-lipoic acid for amanita mushroom poisoning is limited to anecdotal reports.
Login for details - Atrial fibrillation. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for atrial fibrillation.
Login for details - Bipolar disorder. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Burning mouth syndrome. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for burning mouth syndrome.
Login for details - Cancer. Login for details
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Login for details
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome, either before or after surgery.
Login for details - Cataracts. Login for details
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Login for details
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for CKD.
Login for details - Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Diabetic nephropathy. It is unclear if intravenous alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for diabetic nephropathy when used in combination with alprostadil or valsartan.
Login for details - Dysmenorrhea. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for dysmenorrhea.
Login for details - Erectile dysfunction (ED). It is unclear if intravenous alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for ED.
Login for details - Fibromyalgia. It is unclear if intravenous alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for fibromyalgia.
Login for details - Glaucoma. It is unclear if intravenous alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for glaucoma.
Login for details - Heart failure. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Hemorrhoids. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for hemorrhoids.
Login for details - HIV/AIDS. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for patients with HIV/AIDS who are unresponsive to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Login for details - Hypertension. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for hypertension.
Login for details - Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes). It is unclear if oral or intravenous alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for prediabetes.
Login for details - Infertility. Login for details
- Interstitial cystitis. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Lyme disease. Login for details
- Male infertility. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Migraine headache. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid prevents migraines.
Login for details - Muscle strength. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid prevents a loss of muscle strength after exercise.
Login for details - Neck pain. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for NAFLD.
Login for details - Orthostatic hypotension. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for orthostatic hypotension.
Login for details - Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for PAD.
Login for details - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for PCOS.
Login for details - Preterm labor. It is unclear if vaginal alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for preventing preterm birth.
Login for details - Radiation exposure. Oral alpha-lipoic acid might reduce radiation levels in children living in areas contaminated with radiation.
Login for details - Schizophrenia. Oral alpha-lipoic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Sciatica. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for sciatica.
Login for details - Vitiligo. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for vitiligo when used in conjunction with phototherapy.
Login for details - Wilson disease. Login for details
- Wound healing. It is unclear if oral alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for wound healing.
Login for details - Wrinkled skin. Login for details
When taken by mouth: Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe for most adults when taken for up to 4 years. It is usually well-tolerated. The most common side effects are headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
When applied to the skin: Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe for most adults when used as a cream for up to 12 weeks. It might cause a rash in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: When taken by mouth, alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe. It's been used safely during pregnancy in doses of up to 600 mg daily for up to 4 weeks.Breastfeeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpha-lipoic acid is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe in children aged 10-17 years when taken by mouth in doses up to 600 mg daily for 3 months. But it is possibly unsafe for children to take large amounts of alpha-lipoic acid by mouth. Seizures, vomiting, and unconsciousness have been reported for children aged 14 months to 16 years who took up to 2400 mg of alpha-lipoic acid as a single dose.
Surgery: Alpha-lipoic acid can decrease blood sugar levels. Alpha-lipoic acid might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking alpha-lipoic acid 2 weeks before elective surgical procedures.
Excessive use of alcohol/thiamine deficiency: Alcohol can lower the amount of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the body. Taking alpha-lipoic acid when there is a shortage of thiamine might cause serious health problems. If you drink a lot of alcohol and take alpha-lipoic acid, you should take a thiamine supplement.
Medications for cancer (Chemotherapy)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for cancers. But it is too soon to know if this interaction occurs.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Alpha-lipoic acid might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. But more evidence is needed to know if this interaction is a big concern. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Alpha-lipoic acid might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Alpha-lipoic acid might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Thyroid extract: Alpha-lipoic acid seems to decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking alpha-lipoic acid with thyroid extract might decrease the effects of the thyroid extract.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Alpha-lipoic acid has most often been used by adults in doses of 600-1800 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
A-Lipoic Acid, Acetate Replacing Factor, Acide Alpha-Lipoïque, Acide Alpha-Lipoïque R, Acide DL-Alpha-Lipoïque,Acide Lipoïque, Acide Thioctique, Acide 1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoïque, Acide 1,2-dithiolane-3-valérique, Acide 5 Valérique (1,2-dithiolan-3-yl), Acide 6,8-dithiooctanoïque, Acide 6,8-Thioctique, Acido Alfa Lipoico, ALA, Biletan, DHLA, Dihydrolipoic Acid, Extrait d'acide Alpha-Lipoïque, Lipoic Acid, Lipoicin, R-ALA, R-Alpha-Lipoic Acid, (+-)-1,2-Dithiolane-3-Pentanoic Acid, (R)-Dithiolane-3-Pentanoic Acid,R, S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, (R)-Lipoic Acid, R-Lipoic Acid, RS-Alpha-Lipoic Acid, S-Alpha-Lipoic Acid, S-Lipoic Acid, Sodium-R-Lipoate, Thioctacid, Thioctan,Thioctic Acid.
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