Inosine is a nucleoside, one of the basic compounds comprising cells. It is a precursor to
adenosine, an important energy molecule, and
plays many supportive roles in the body.
Inosine has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
Inosine is not an essential nutrient, so deficiencies do not occur.
How much is usually taken?
Although a common amount of inosine taken by athletes is 5,000–6,000 mg per day,
little scientific evidence supports the use of this supplement in any amount.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
No side effects have been reported with the use of inosine for two to five days in the
limited research available. However, unused inosine is converted by the body to uric acid,
which may be hazardous to people at risk for
gout.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with inosine.