✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full PQQ evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Very small human evidence base — mostly Japanese pilot studies (n=17–41) [3]
⚠ Unique mechanism: mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1α [1]
⚠ Not a consensus essential vitamin despite some arguments [2]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Present in trace amounts in some plant foods; there is no established daily dietary target.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
PQQ stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α activation) — the only supplement with this validated mechanism. Catalytic antioxidant with >5,000 redox cycles. BUT: human evidence is limited to small Japanese pilot trials. It is mechanistically promising but clinically unproven. 10–20 mg/day [1] [2] [3].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
No data. Avoid [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
No data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Morning [3].
💊 With food: With or without food [3].
🚫 Avoid: No known contraindications at standard doses [3].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['PQQ disodium salt (BioPQQ)', 'preferred', 'Japanese-manufactured. Most studied form. 10–20 mg per dose [3].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Is PQQ a new vitamin? ▼
Some researchers argue PQQ meets the criteria for an essential cofactor (it supports critical enzymatic functions). However, scientific consensus has NOT classified PQQ as a vitamin. The debate continues [2].
Does PQQ create new mitochondria? ▼
In cell culture and animals: yes — PQQ activates PGC-1α, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. In humans: this mechanism is plausible but clinical significance is unproven [1].
Is the evidence strong? ▼
No — the human evidence base consists of small Japanese pilot studies (n=17–41). PQQ is promising based on mechanism but clinically unproven [3].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
PGC-1α activation → mitochondrial biogenesis: established in cell culture and animal models [1]. Catalytic antioxidant (>5,000 redox cycles vs 4 for vitamin C) [1]. HIGH
Moderate
Sleep quality: small Japanese RCT showed improved sleep onset and quality at 20 mg/day [3]. Cognitive function: improved attention and working memory in elderly Japanese adults at 20 mg/day [3]. CRP reduction: one small trial showed reduced inflammatory markers [3]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Relative
⚠ Limited human safety data
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — no safety data
🚩 Red flags
● Patient expecting significant clinical benefits — evidence base is very small [3]
6 Interactions
Supplement synergies
CoQ10 · 100–200 mg CoQ10
CoQ10 (electron transport chain) + PQQ (mitochondrial biogenesis) = comprehensive mitochondrial support [1].
CoQ10 (electron transport chain) + PQQ (mitochondrial biogenesis) = comprehensive mitochondrial support [1].
NMN · 250–500 mg NMN
NMN (NAD+ for sirtuin/PARP) + PQQ (new mitochondria) = multi-pathway aging support [1].
NMN (NAD+ for sirtuin/PARP) + PQQ (new mitochondria) = multi-pathway aging support [1].
7 Regulatory
United States (FDA): GRAS (2009). Dietary supplement [1].
Japan: Supplement ingredient. Primary research market [3].
South Korea: Dietary supplement.
8 US supplement products
1
on-market products containing PQQ (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying PQQ (1)
Click a brand to see its PQQ products.
9 Frequently paired with
10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. PQQ — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/pqq/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). PQQ — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/pqq/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 3 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "PQQ — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/pqq/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG