Overview

Deanol is a chemical that can be converted into choline. Choline is involved in a series of reactions that form acetylcholine, a chemical that is found in the brain and other areas of the body. Acetylcholine is a "neurotransmitter" that helps nerve cells communicate.

Deanol is used for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer disease, autism, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Deanol was previously sold by Riker Laboratories as the prescription drug Deaner. It was prescribed for the management of children with behavior problems and learning difficulties. Deanol is not an approved food additive in the U.S., nor is it an orphan drug, as some advertising suggests.

How does it work ?

Deanol is needed to build the chemical choline. Having more choline in the body might increase the production of acetylcholine, which is involved in brain and nervous system function.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely InEffective for

  • Alzheimer disease. Deanol does not seem to improve Alzheimer disease.
  • A movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia). Deanol does not seem to improve tardive dyskinesia.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Athletic performance. Early research shows that taking deanol along with ginseng, vitamins, and minerals for 6 weeks might improve athletic performance in some people. However, it's unclear if taking deanol by itself improves athletic performance.
  • Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research on the use of deanol for ADHD-like symptoms is mixed. Some early research shows that taking deanol daily for up to 3 months might improve some ADHD symptoms, but other research suggests that deanol does not treat ADHD in children. The children in these studies were not diagnosed with ADHD using current guidelines. It is not clear how deanol would work in children diagnosed with ADHD.
  • Memory.
  • Aging skin.
  • Extending life span.
  • Autism.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of deanol for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Deanol is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken short-term. Most people do not experience side effects. But deanol might cause constipation, diarrhea, itching, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, vivid dreams, confusion, mood changes, or increased blood pressure.

When applied to the skin: Deanol is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Deanol is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken short-term. Most people do not experience side effects. But deanol might cause constipation, diarrhea, itching, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, vivid dreams, confusion, mood changes, or increased blood pressure.

When applied to the skin: Deanol is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if deanol is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Depression: Deanol might make depression worse.

Schizophrenia: Deanol might make schizophrenia symptoms worse.

Tonic-clonic seizures: Deanol should not be used by people with tonic-clonic seizure disorders.

Interactions ?

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with DEANOL

    Some drying medications are called anticholinergic drugs. Deanol might increase chemicals that can decrease the effects of these drying medications.

    Some drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, and some medications used for allergies (antihistamines), and for depression (antidepressants).

  • Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs) interacts with DEANOL

    Deanol might increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions. Taking deanol with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.

    Some of these medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of deanol depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for deanol. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.