Alpha-lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement that has been studied for its effect on improving blood sugar and lipid (fat) levels in people with diabetes as well as on complications of diabetes, including diabetic macular edema (an eye condition that can cause vision loss), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes), and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes).
Also called: Source Naturals (United States)
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- alpha-lipoic acid
- Drug class
- Dietary supplement (not an FDA-approved drug)
- Form
- Not established by the supplied sources; the sources describe alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and products sold as dietary supplements but do not specify dosage forms for this ingredient
- Route
- By mouth (as a dietary supplement; the research notes describe studied oral supplementation)
- Legal status
- Sold as a dietary supplement in the United States; dietary supplements are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they are marketed
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Nepal
Australia: · Full directory
What alpha-lipoic acid is and how it works
Alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement that has been studied for its effect on improving blood sugar and lipid (fat) levels in people with diabetes as well as on complications of diabetes, including diabetic macular edema (an eye condition that can cause vision loss), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes), and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes). (1) (2)
Dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale. The sources describe mixed and limited evidence for alpha-lipoic acid. For a few dietary supplements, there is weak evidence of a possible benefit; some studies suggest that alpha-lipoic acid might be helpful for reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, but most of these studies have limitations in size and differ from each other in participant characteristics, supplement formulations and dosing, length of study, and results, leading to no clear conclusions.
Mechanism of action: how alpha-lipoic acid works
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes describe studied effects and outcomes but do not describe the mechanism of action of alpha-lipoic acid. (1)
What is Alpha-lipoic acid used for?
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
Some studies suggest that alpha-lipoic acid might be helpful for reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. However, a 2022 review that evaluated 8 studies (1,500 participants) indicated inconsistent findings of alpha-lipoic acid's effectiveness in treating diabetic neuropathy: 3 studies found improvements in symptoms, and 5 studies did not. Another 2022 review of 9 studies (2,062 participants) found that alpha-lipoic acid might help reduce pain in people with diabetic neuropathy. The sources state that the evidence has limitations and that no clear conclusions can be drawn. (1)
Blood sugar and lipid (fat) levels in people with diabetes
In terms of managing type 2 diabetes, a 2019 review of 10 studies (553 participants) showed that alpha-lipoic acid was no better than placebo at reducing levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglycerides. (1)
Diabetic macular edema (an eye condition that can cause vision loss)
In a 2011 study of 467 people with type 2 diabetes, participants received either alpha-lipoic acid (600 mg/day for 2 years) or placebo. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment or placebo group in the outcome of developing clinically significant diabetic macular edema. (1)
Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes)
A 2022 review of 12 studies (653 participants) found that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation did not improve kidney dysfunction in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). (1)
Before taking alpha-lipoic acid
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends. Discuss with a clinician whether alpha-lipoic acid is appropriate for your situation before starting it. (all products) (3)
- Do not rely on alpha-lipoic acid as a treatment for diabetes or its complications; the sources state that for most supplements there isn't evidence to support a beneficial effect on diabetes or its complications, and that evidence for alpha-lipoic acid is weak, mixed, or insufficient. Seek clinician advice for any treatment decision. (all indications) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use.
- Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery.
- Dietary supplements may interact with your medications or pose risks if you have certain medical problems or are going to have surgery.
- Many dietary supplements haven't been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.
Alpha-lipoic acid dosage and how to take it
- Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use.
- Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends.
- Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery.
- Read trustworthy information about the supplement.
- No dose or administration schedule is established by the supplied sources. Any dose or schedule decision should be discussed with a clinician; this page does not provide dosing.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes do not cover missed-dose guidance for alpha-lipoic acid. Ask a clinician or pharmacist for advice; this page does not provide missed-dose instructions.
Overdose
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes do not describe overdose amounts, symptoms, or management for alpha-lipoic acid. If a possible overdose or a bad reaction is suspected, contact a clinician, poison-information service, or emergency services promptly.
Alpha-lipoic acid side effects
The most common side effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation are headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. A 2020 review of 71 studies (4,749 participants) found alpha-lipoic acid supplementation was safe in healthy individuals and in patients affected by certain diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and diabetes. All 8 studies in a 2022 review of diabetic neuropathy found alpha-lipoic acid to be safe, with no reported adverse effects.
Headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting
What to notice: These are described as the most common side effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with a clinician or pharmacist rather than making treatment decisions yourself. (1)
Any new, severe, or worsening symptom while taking alpha-lipoic acid
What to notice: The supplied sources describe headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting as the most common side effects but do not describe other specific effects requiring urgent assessment.
What to do: Seek medical attention promptly for any severe or worsening symptom and let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop the supplement. (1)
Serious warnings
Unapproved supplement status and unverified product contents — important
Symptoms: Not applicable; this is a regulatory and product-quality warning, not a symptom-based reaction.
Action: Be aware that dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale. What's on the label may not be what's in the product; the FDA has found prescription drugs in products being sold as dietary supplements. Discuss supplement use with a clinician. (2)
Interaction and medical-problem risk — important
Symptoms: Not applicable; this is a general safety warning about supplement use, not a symptom-based reaction.
Action: Dietary supplements may interact with your medications or pose risks if you have certain medical problems or are going to have surgery. Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use and check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery. (2) (3)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | Dietary supplements may interact with your medications or pose risks if you have certain medical problems or are going to have surgery. | Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use and give your clinician and pharmacist a complete medicine list before starting or continuing alpha-lipoic acid. (2) (3) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children
Many dietary supplements haven't been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children. Discuss use with a clinician. (2)
People with diabetes or other medical problems, or undergoing surgery
Dietary supplements may pose risks if you have certain medical problems or are going to have surgery. Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery, and discuss diabetes management with a clinician rather than relying on a supplement. (2) (3)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use.
- Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery.
- Read trustworthy information about the supplement.
- Discuss with a clinician whether alpha-lipoic acid is appropriate given your medicines, medical problems, and diabetes management plan.
During treatment
- Report any side effects or safety concerns to a clinician.
- You can report any safety concerns you may have about a dietary supplement through the U.S. Health and Human Services Safety Reporting Portal.
- The supplied sources do not describe specific monitoring tests or intervals for alpha-lipoic acid.
Storage
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes do not describe storage conditions for alpha-lipoic acid products. Follow the product label and ask a pharmacist for advice.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local regulatory status, product information, and clinical guideline. The supplied sources provide only the evidence summaries quoted on this page.
All regions
Indication: Any alpha-lipoic acid use
Dose summary: No universal dose is displayed. The supplied sources report one study that used alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day for 2 years in people with type 2 diabetes, but the sources do not establish a recommended dose for any indication and state that studies differ in supplement formulations and dosing.
Renal context: Not established by the supplied sources. Renal or hepatic impairment, comorbidity, and concomitant therapy require individual clinical assessment; do not infer a web-based adjustment. (1)
Hepatic guidance
Not established by the supplied sources. Use clinical judgement; this page does not provide impairment-specific dosing.
Overdose note
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes do not describe overdose amounts, symptoms, or management. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Does alpha-lipoic acid help with diabetes or its complications?
The evidence is weak, mixed, or insufficient. For most supplements, there isn't evidence to support a beneficial effect on diabetes or its complications. Some studies suggest alpha-lipoic acid might be helpful for reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, but most of these studies have limitations in size and differ from each other, leading to no clear conclusions. A 2019 review showed it was no better than placebo at reducing blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglycerides in type 2 diabetes; a 2011 study found no statistically significant difference in developing clinically significant diabetic macular edema; a 2022 review found inconsistent findings for diabetic neuropathy; and a 2022 review found it did not improve kidney dysfunction in people with diabetes. (1)
Is alpha-lipoic acid safe?
A 2020 review of 71 studies (4,749 participants) found alpha-lipoic acid supplementation was safe in healthy individuals and in patients affected by certain diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and diabetes. The most common side effects are headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. All 8 studies in a 2022 review of diabetic neuropathy found alpha-lipoic acid to be safe, with no reported adverse effects. Discuss use with a clinician. (1)
Are dietary supplements like alpha-lipoic acid approved by the FDA?
No. Dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale. The FDA is not authorized to review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed, and rules for manufacturing and distributing dietary supplements are less strict than those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. (2)
How should I take alpha-lipoic acid safely?
Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use, do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends, check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery, and read trustworthy information about the supplement. (3)
What is the mechanism of action of alpha-lipoic acid?
Not established by the supplied sources. The research notes describe studied effects and outcomes but do not describe the mechanism of action of alpha-lipoic acid. (1)
References
- Diabetes and Dietary Supplements: What You Need To KnowNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated November 2023 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 1
- Using Dietary Supplements WiselyNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated January 2019 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 2
- Dietary Supplements (health topic)MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient alpha-lipoic acid names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Source NaturalsSource Naturalsregulator source
- BluebonnetBluebonnetregulator source
- BulkSupplements.comBulkSupplements.comregulator source
- SolgarSolgarregulator source
- Best NaturalsBest Naturalsregulator source
- Healthy OriginsHealthy Originsregulator source
- NatrolNatrolregulator source
- Vitamin WorldVitamin Worldregulator source
- CarlsonCarlsonregulator source
- OL Olympian LabsOL Olympian Labsregulator source
Nepal
Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.
- Alfit 100Tablet · 100mg · Apex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- AlipocTablet · 100mg · S.R. Drug Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- AlpaTablet · 300mg · Apple International Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- AplaCapsule · 100mg · Apple International Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- FitalCapsule · 100mg · Arya Pharma Lab Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- LipoxCapsule · 100mg · Innovative Pharma Lab Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24