Drug trade name- Phosphatidylserine

Generic name- Phosphatidylserine

Group- Dietary Supplement

Introduction and Quick Information about Phosphatidylserine:

Phosphatidylserine is one of the naturally-occurring molecules present all through the body. Although the human body can produce this substance at its own, the majority of this nutrient can be attained through the diet. However, because the diet which we follow today is unhealthy and lacks the essential nutrients, Phosphatidylserine is used in certain dietary supplements, and sometimes claimed to be useful for the below-mentioned uses:

• Depression
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Age-related dementia or cognitive decline

Phosphatidylserine is actually a phospholipid, the molecules which are used in the cell membranes inside the human body. It is not yet known how exactly Phosphatidylserine supplementation does work to treat Alzheimer’s disease or for some other uses, although it is generally believed that its levels may reduce due to the growing age and with certain other medical complications like Alzheimer’s. So to maintain those levels it is prescribed as a supplement with treatment.

Is Phosphatidylserine Approved by FDA?

It is not known whether Phosphatidylserine supplements are FDA approved or not. However, before using these sorts of supplements, you should consult your healthcare provider first to know if this supplement is suitable for you or your condition.

Usage and Benefits of Phosphatidylserine:

Phosphatidylserine supplements have the potential to help people in managing the following conditions:

• Phosphatidylserine for Alzheimer’s disease - Using phosphatidylserine can help overcome some of the Alzheimer’s disease symptoms after 6-12 weeks of the proper treatment. It can prove to be beneficial for the patients who have less severe symptoms. However, Phosphatidylserine may lose its efficacy with the extended and too much use. After around sixteen weeks of treatment, progression of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to overcome any benefit offered by Phosphatidylserine.

• Phosphatidylserine for senile dementia (Confusion in older people) - Phosphatidylserine is prepared from the cow brains and thus improve language skills, attention, and memory in aged people with waning thinking skills. It is not yet known if the newer products, which are taken from cabbage and soy, can offer the same advantages. However, it is believed that plant-derived Phosphatidylserine can enhance the memory in individuals with age-associated memory loss.

Some other uses of Phosphatidylserine include:

• Age-related cognitive decline (problems in mental functioning, such as memory loss)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression

Phosphatidylserine Side Effects:

Generally, reported side effects associated with Phosphatidylserine are fairly minor and are usually connected to the dosage (the side effects become more common due to the higher doses). Some of the most common Phosphatidylserine side effects are:

• Insomnia
• Upset stomach
• Gas

As with every supplement or medicine, adverse effects are probable with phosphatidylserine. Most of the time people assume that natural supplements (like phosphatidylserine) are automatically free from side effects, but this is not the case. Call your doctor if you find something abnormal or unusual.

General Recommended Dosages of Phosphatidylserine:

Make sure you follow all the directions of your particular Phosphatidylserine product. Don’t exceed the prescribed dose mentioned on the label until and unless your medical advisor specifically recommends you to do so.

There is actually very less information for deciding the best dose for the supplements, including phosphatidylserine. Since the proper information about Phosphatidylserine dosing is lacking, it is quite logical to follow the instructions on the label of your specific phosphatidylserine product.

While choosing a Phosphatidylserine dose, just bear one point in your mind that Phosphatidylserine is present in many foods and is created by the human body. This drug is for supplementary use only.

In case you are not so sure about anything connected to your Phosphatidylserine dosage or dosing schedule in general, please consult with your general practitioner.

In case I Miss my Dose?

In case your medical practitioner has prescribed you a proper doing schedule to take Phosphatidylserine supplement and if you miss taking any of the doses on time, then take the missed dose the moment you remember. Also, ask your doctor about more information and if you have any query. In addition, do not take any medication to compensate for the missed dose.

In case I Take Overdose?

Overdose of every drug can prove to be fatal. Thus, you should always take Phosphatidylserine in the prescribed amount and for the prescribed length. However, if you think you have taken it in extra or too much amounts, then seek medical assistance as soon as possible. After all, it’s about health and you should not take any chance when it comes to your health.

Drug Interactions of Phosphatidylserine:

Even though Phosphatidylserine is one of the natural supplements, it may potentially interact with some of the other medications. Some medicines which may result in Phosphatidylserine drug interactions are:

• Anticholinergic medicines, including, but not limited to:
  • o Atropine
  • o Belladonna (B&O Supprettes, Donnatal, Bellamine S)
  • o Clidinium (Librax)
  • o Benztropine (Cogentin)
  • o Darifenacin (Enablex)
  • o Clozapine (Clozaril)
  • o Dicyclomine (Bentyl)
  • o Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM)
  • o Haloperidol (Haldol)
  • o Glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
  • o Hyoscyamine (Levsin)
  • o Homatropine (Hycodan)
  • o Tolterodine (Detrol)
  • o Ipratropium (Atrovent)
  • o Tiotropium (Spiriva)
  • o Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
• Drugs which have cholinergic effects (including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors), like
  • o Donepezil (Aricept)
  • o Ambenonium (Mytelase)
  • o Galantamine (Razadyne)
  • o Edrophonium (Enlon, Reversol)
  • o Bethanechol (Urecholine)
  • o Methacholine (Provocholine)
  • o Guanidine
  • o Succinylcholine (Anectine, Quelicin)
  • o Rivastigmine (Exelon)

This is not a complete list and some other drugs may also interact with Phosphatidylserine. Thus, inform your doctor about all sorts of prescribed or non-prescribed medicines and health supplements you take.

Life style and Food Habits you must Follow when on Phosphatidylserine:

In general, people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have to carry an I.D card which shows their identity and general information so that if you forget something about you and your family, then you can get your memory back with your I.D card. A person with this disease is generally never left alone and the family should always be there for support at later stages. Initially you can manage on your own but at later stages you need care takers to stay out of danger and trouble.

Also, your family should also take care about where and with whom you are going, what is your behavior, whether it is normal or unusual, how you react to the things and so on.

You can even ask your general practitioner about the lifestyle which you need follow while getting treatment with Phosphatidylserine.

How Safe is Phosphatidylserine for Pregnant Women or Nursing mothers?

At present, there are no clinical studies which have been conducted on Phosphatidylserine and pregnancy. Though Phosphatidylserine is one of the naturally-occurring molecules present inside the human body, it can’t be assumed that using it as a supplement is completely unsafe. Until more proper information is available about this supplement and its impact on pregnant women, expectant mothers are recommended to avoid using the dietary supplement during pregnancy.

Therefore, if you are with child, do not take Phosphatidylserine (or any other non-prescription drug, prescription medication, or health supplement) without your doctor’s approval. Just because something is tagged as “natural” or available without prescription doesn’t mean it is all safe, especially for use during pregnancy.

Complications and Conditions Possible due to Prolonged use of Phosphatidylserine:

Your doctor will recommend you using Phosphatidylserine for a specific time period. Thus, follow the instructions of your healthcare provider properly. Never try to take it in extra amounts or for that the prescribed quantity. If you have been using Phosphatidylserine since long, and want to quit it’s because of any reason, then consult your doctor first. He will tell you when and how you can quit its use completely.

Availability of the Phosphatidylserine:

You can simply buy Phosphatidylserine form any of the FDA-approved drug store, with or without showing your prescription. However, for safety aspect, you should ask for proper information from your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing Phosphatidylserine.