Synaptol Reliability and Safety

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Synaptol Reliability and Safety

Question:

A friend recommended an herbal remedy called Synaptol for relief of ADHD and anxiety. Can you give me any information on its reliability and safety?

Answer:

Synaptol is a combination of several non-prescription substances, all of them available over the counter. These nutritional supplements are often called "nutraceuticals" when they are marketed as treatments for medical conditions.

None of the substances in this product have been tested in clinical trials for ADHD or anxiety, so there is no real information on its reliability. By law, makers of these products are not supposed to claim that their products can treat specific conditions unless there have been research studies to prove that they work. However, many companies do make these claims in advertisements and on the internet.

Unfortunately, there is not much information available about the safety of nutraceuticals. The companies that make them are not required to perform safety studies like those done for prescription drugs. For people who are young and healthy, it is unlikely that the ingredients in this product will cause a major problem, but the risks are not well defined. Anyone with medical problems, such as liver or kidney disease, should talk with their doctor before taking these types of supplements. So should people who take prescription medications.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009