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Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
SAFE
Dihydroberberine
5,6-dihydroberberine (DHB)
Possibly Safe
V2 Verified
Specialty Bioactives
PubMed Studies
3
PubChem CID
About
Reduced form of berberine with improved GI absorption and conversion back to berberine after intestinal absorption. Lower GI side effects than berberine. Same AMPK-activating mechanism.
How it works (mechanism of action)
Acts on cellular signalling pathways relevant to the documented clinical indications. Contains bioactive compounds with enzyme-modulating, receptor-binding, or antioxidant properties studied in peer-reviewed literature.
⚖️ Regulatory Status
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SG — Banned
HSA Singapore prohibition (2004) — ephedra alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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MY — Banned
NPRA Malaysia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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NL — Banned
NVWA prohibition (2004).
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NZ — Banned
Medsafe NZ — ephedrine alkaloid supplements banned following FDA and TGA action.
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PH — Banned
FDA Philippines — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing food supplements banned following international regulatory action.
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AE — Banned
UAE MOH prohibition — ephedra supplements banned. Ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical.
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PL — Banned
GIS Poland prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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ID — Banned
BPOM Indonesia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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PT — Banned
ASAE Portugal prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
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SA — Banned
SFDA Saudi Arabia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited. Controlled as prescription drug.
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SE — Banned
Livsmedelsverket Sweden prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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ES — Banned
AEMPS Spain prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
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DK — Banned
Banned (2023) — Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). Liver toxicity and thyroid disruption reports. All preparations ordered off market.
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DE — Banned
BfArM banned kava-containing products in Germany in 2002 due to hepatotoxicity risk. Cases of liver failure and death reported.
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CH — Banned
Swissmedic banned kava in Switzerland due to hepatotoxicity.
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BE — Banned
FASFC Belgium prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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US — Banned
FDA issued warning letter against oral comfrey products. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids causing liver damage.
⚠️
IN — Restricted
CDSCO India (2004) — available only under prescription as pharmaceutical products.
⚠️
TH — Restricted
FDA Thailand — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical. Not permitted in food supplements.
⚠️
TW — Restricted
TFDA Taiwan — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical drug. Not permitted as health food ingredient. Products with ephedra claims require pharmaceutical registration.
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ZA — Restricted
SAHPRA (2004) — Schedule 2; pharmacist oversight required.
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KR — Restricted
MFDS South Korea (2003) — maximum dose restrictions. Not permitted for weight loss products.
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JP — Restricted
MHLW Japan (2003) — maximum dose limits; not permitted for weight loss marketing. Ephedrine controlled under pharmaceutical regulations.
⚠️
IT — Restricted
Italian Ministry of Health — berberine supplements restricted to max 10mg/day without medical supervision.
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IE — Restricted
FSAI monitoring (2024) following Danish ban and hepatotoxicity reports. Products without adequate safety data may face withdrawal.
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HK — Restricted
Department of Health Hong Kong — ephedrine-containing preparations controlled as pharmaceutical products. Not permitted as health food supplements without pharmaceutical registration.
⚠️
GB — Restricted
MHRA (2004) — ephedrine alkaloid supplements restricted. Maximum doses apply under the Medicines Act.
⚠️
FR — Restricted
ANSES (2013) — maximum dose restrictions following EFSA genotoxicity concerns.
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EU — Restricted
EFSA (2023) — safety concerns at commonly marketed doses (>0.9mg/day). Several EU member states restricting high-dose products. EMA/HMPC review ongoing.
⚠️
CN — Restricted
NMPA China — berberine (berberine hydrochloride) registered as pharmaceutical (OTC drug) for specific indications. Not permitted as general health food ingredient at pharmaceutical doses.
💊
CA — Prescription only
DHEA is a controlled substance in Canada, available by prescription only.
💊
AU — Prescription only
DHEA is scheduled as a prescription-only medicine in Australia (Schedule 4).
💊
AT — Prescription only
AGES Austria — melatonin classified as prescription-only medicinal product. Not permitted as food supplement.
👥 Safety by Population
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings
Same drug interaction concerns as berberine (CYP3A4, P-gp, CYP2D6) but potentially amplified by higher bioavailability. Pregnancy: CONTRAINDICATED. Hypoglycaemia risk with antidiabetic drugs. See berberine entry.
🏷️ Other Names
5,6-dihydroberberine (DHB)