Inosine: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Inosine is a chemical that is found in RNA, which is present in all living cells. It can be made in a laboratory and is also used as medicine.

When people take inosine by mouth it is changed in the body to make a chemical called uric acid. Uric acid acts like an antioxidant and might protect cells in the brain.

People sometimes use inosine for Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), athletic performance, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Inosine overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Inosine is possibly safe. Taking inosine can cause high levels of a chemical called uric acid in the blood and urine. This might cause kidney or bladder stones in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if inosine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Gout: Taking inosine might increase levels of uric acid. This might make gout worse in some people.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for gout (Antigout Drugs) interacts with Inosine
Inosine increases levels of uric acid. High levels of uric acid might make gout worse. Taking inosine along with antigout drugs might reduce the effects of these drugs.

Dosing

Inosine has most often been used by adults at a dose of 1-3 grams by mouth daily for up to 2 years. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Benowitz LI, Goldberg DE, Madsen JR, et al. Inosine stimulates extensive axon collateral growth in the rat corticospinal tract after injury. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1999;96:13486-90.

Starling RD, Trappe TA, Short KR, et al. Effect of inosine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1996;28:1193-8.

Williams MH, Kreider RB, Hunter DW, et al. Effect of inosine supplementation on 3-mile treadmill run performance and VO2 peak. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1990;22:517-22.

Parkinson Study Group SURE-PD Investigators. Inosine to increase serum and cerebrospinal fluid urate in Parkinson disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2014;71(2):141-50.

Muñoz García D, Midaglia L, Martinez Vilela J, et al. Associated inosine to interferon: results of a clinical trial in multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand. 2015;131(6):405-10.

Gonsette RE, Sindic C, D'hooghe MB, et al. Boosting endogenous neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: The association of inosine and interferon beta in relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (ASIIMS) trial. Mult Scler. 2010;16(4):455-62.

Markowitz CE, Spitsin S, Zimmerman V, et al. The treatment of multiple sclerosis with inosine. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(6):619-25.

Toncev G. Therapeutic value of serum uric acid levels increasing in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Vojnosanit Pregl. 2006;63(10):879-82.

Yamamoto T, Moriwaki Y, Cheng J, Takahashi S, Tsutsumi Z, Ka T, Hada T. Effect of inosine on the plasma concentration of uridine and purine bases. Metabolism. 2002;51(4):438-42.

Watanabe H, Hattori T, Kume A, et al. Improved Parkinsons disease motor score in a single-arm open-label trial of febuxostat and inosine. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020;99(35):e21576.

Camerini L, Ardais AP, Xavier J, et al. Inosine prevents hyperlocomotion in a ketamine-induced model of mania in rats. Brain Res 2020;1733:146721.

Parkinson Study Group SURE-PD3 Investigators, Schwarzschild MA, Ascherio A, et al. Effect of Urate-Elevating Inosine on Early Parkinson Disease Progression: The SURE-PD3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021;326(10):926-939.

Teixeira FC, Gutierres JM, Soares MSP, et al. Inosine protects against impairment of memory induced by experimental model of Alzheimer disease: a nucleoside with multitarget brain actions. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020;237(3):811-823.

Dalbeth N, Allan J, Gamble GD, et al. Effect of body mass index on serum urate and renal uric acid handling responses to an oral inosine load: experimental intervention study in healthy volunteers. Arthritis Res Ther 2020;22(1):259.

Dalbeth N, Horne A, Mihov B, et al. Elevated Urate Levels Do Not Alter Bone Turnover Markers: Randomized Controlled Trial of Inosine Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021;73(9):1758-1764.

Kharitonova T, Shvarts YG, Verbovoy AF, Orlova NS, Puzyreva VP, Strokov IA. Efficacy and safety of the combined metabolic medication, containing inosine, nicotinamide, riboflavin and succinic acid, for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trial (CYLINDER). BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2022;10(3):e002785.

Walk D, Nicholson K, Locatelli E, et al. Randomized trial of inosine for urate elevation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2023;67(5):378-386.

Dalbeth N, Mihov B, Stewart A, et al. Effects of elevated serum urate on cardiometabolic and kidney function markers in a randomised clinical trial of inosine supplementation. Sci Rep 2022;12(1):12887.

Zhao H, Zhang W, Lu Y, et al. Inosine enhances the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in advanced solid tumors: A randomized, controlled, Phase 2 study. Cancer Med 2024;13(17):e70143.

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.

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