Inositol

Inositol, also called Vitamin B8, has been found to reduce depression, hostility, tension and fatigue. It is a folk remedy for anxiety and sadness. Inositol has been shown in very small studies to be helpful for depression and panic disorder, and promising for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and bipolar disorder. Research has not yet shown any benefit when inositol is used with psychotropic drugs. Inositol is a part of our diet, and supplementation seems benign. The risk is minimal. There is no special concern in pregnancy, lactation or child use.

Drug Interactions and Side Effects

There have been no documented cases of drug interactions in studies when inositol was taken with FDA-approved medications. Gastrointestinal side effects may be a problem for some people, but inositol is generally well tolerated and appears to have a favorable safety profile. However, there have been case reports of inositol-induced mania in people with bipolar disorder.