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ESRU

Taurine

AEMPS

Sulfur-containing amino acid, supplement and energy-drink ingredient. In Russia registered as a medicine (Dibicor) for T2DM and CHF

ATC code: A16AA-TAURINE

Brand names: Now Taurine, Jarrow Taurine, Doctor's Best Taurine, Solgar Taurine

Updated · Methodology

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

D

Anti-aging and longevity

Not recommended

In 2023, Science published Singh et al. on taurine as a «driver of aging»: lifelong taurine intake in mice and monkeys extended lifespan by 10–12% and improved metabolic markers. The paper triggered a marketing wave: supplement makers sell taurine as an «anti-aging drug». But: no human RCT data with hard endpoints (mortality, morbidity). Correlation between taurine level and biological age does not prove causation. 2009 did not approve a longevity claim. Anti-aging taurine use in humans today is purely experimental and not supported by clinical guidelines. If it was recommended «to slow aging», consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. Science: Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging (2023)
  2. EFSA: The use of taurine and D-glucurono-gamma-lactone as constituents of so-called «energy» drinks (2009)
D

Athletic endurance

Not recommended

Taurine is widely used in pre-workout formulas and energy drinks as an «endurance booster». Meta-analyses on sports taurine (Waldron 2018, J Strength Cond Res) showed a small ambiguous effect on time trials in rowing and running in endurance athletes; no benefit in strength sports and at maximal loads. 2009 approved no physical performance claim. In healthy non-athletes no significant effect on endurance is recorded. The energy drink effect is attributed mostly to caffeine (80–160 mg per can), not taurine.

Sources

  1. EFSA: The use of taurine and D-glucurono-gamma-lactone as constituents of so-called «energy» drinks (2009)
D

Chronic fatigue

Not recommended

Taurine is marketed as a «natural energiser» for office workers and people with chronic fatigue. No evidence base for efficacy in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), long COVID or burnout. 2009 approved no health claim. ME/CFS 2021 (NG206) recommends pacing and multidisciplinary follow-up; taurine supplements are not mentioned. If taurine was recommended for persistent fatigue without workup (ferritin, TSH, , depression and sleep apnoea screening), consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. EFSA: The use of taurine and D-glucurono-gamma-lactone as constituents of so-called «energy» drinks (2009)

ICD-10: R53 · ICD-11: MG22

D

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Not recommended

Taurine is registered in Russia as the medicine Dibicor for T2DM (250–500 mg twice daily) – one of the specific Russian uses, registered nowhere else in Europe or the US. Evidence base: several small RCTs by Russian authors with and fasting glucose endpoints, not confirmed in large international trials. Standards of Care 2024 and redGDPS list metformin first-line for T2DM, then SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA; taurine is in no international diabetes guideline. AEMPS and do not approve taurine for T2DM. If taurine was recommended for T2DM as a metformin substitute, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. ГРЛС: Реестр ЛП РФ: Дибикор (таурин) – клинические рекомендации Минздрава (2022)

ICD-10: E11 · ICD-11: 5A11

How to read tiers A–F
  • AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
  • BRecommended in selected cases
  • CStudy data contradict each other
  • DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
  • FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in many mammalian tissues (heart, retina, brain, skeletal muscle). It is not incorporated into proteins and is synthesised from methionine and cysteine. Functions: membrane stabilisation, osmoregulation, bile acid conjugation, antioxidant defence, calcium channel modulation in cardiomyocytes and neurones. In the CNS it acts as an inhibitory neuromodulator via GABA-A and glycine receptors. Oral bioavailability 80%, peak concentration in 1–2 hours, renal excretion. 2009 assessed safety of taurine in energy drinks up to 1000 mg/day as acceptable, without confirming any efficacy claims.

Safety

Contraindications

  • Bipolar disorder (theoretical risk of mania induction)
  • Severe renal impairment (accumulation risk at supplement doses >3 g/day)
  • Children and adolescents (ban on taurine energy drinks in several EU countries)

Serious adverse effects

  • Tachycardia and arrhythmias (combined with high caffeine in energy drinks)
  • Reports of sudden death cases in young people after massive consumption of taurine + caffeine energy drinks (EFSA 2015)

Common adverse effects

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache (especially in energy drinks)

Pregnancy: can you take Taurine?

Taurine is required for fetal nervous system development and is present in breast milk. In pregnancy at physiological doses (dietary, with moderate green tea) it is safe. EFSA recommends pregnant women avoid energy drinks (taurine combined with high caffeine doses). Isolated taurine supplements >500 mg/day are not studied in pregnancy; AEMPS does not register.

Breastfeeding: can you take Taurine?

Compatible (Hale L1). Taurine is a natural component of breast milk (higher concentration in humans than in cow milk). Lactating women on a normal diet do not need supplementation. Energy drinks with taurine and high caffeine are not recommended during lactation.

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Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

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Frequently asked

What is Taurine used for?

Taurine is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Athletic endurance (evidence tier D), Chronic fatigue (evidence tier D), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (evidence tier D). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Taurine?

Common side effects of Taurine (≥ 1 in 100): Nausea, Diarrhoea, Headache (especially in energy drinks). See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Taurine safe during pregnancy?

Taurine is required for fetal nervous system development and is present in breast milk. In pregnancy at physiological doses (dietary, with moderate green tea) it is safe. EFSA recommends pregnant women avoid energy drinks (taurine combined with high caffeine doses). Isolated taurine supplements >500 mg/day are not studied in pregnancy; AEMPS does not register.

Is Taurine compatible with breastfeeding?

Compatible (Hale L1). Taurine is a natural component of breast milk (higher concentration in humans than in cow milk). Lactating women on a normal diet do not need supplementation. Energy drinks with taurine and high caffeine are not recommended during lactation.

Who should not take Taurine?

Taurine is contraindicated in: Bipolar disorder (theoretical risk of mania induction); Severe renal impairment (accumulation risk at supplement doses >3 g/day); Children and adolescents (ban on taurine energy drinks in several EU countries). Full list in the Safety section.

Official sources

Direct links to regulator labels. Open in a new tab.

Other drugs in this group

Acetyl-L-carnitine, Ademetionine, Alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid, ALA), Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus; Huang Qi in traditional Chinese medicine), Beta-alanine, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), L-citrulline (free form and L-citrulline malate for sports formulas), L-tyrosine