Comprehensive cognitive enhancement
Improves memory, attention, and overall cognitive function
Choline (CDP-Choline)
Pharmaceutical-grade choline compound that provides both choline and cytidine for comprehensive brain health
Scientific nameCytidine 5'-Diphosphocholine
FormulaC14H26N4O11P2
Molecular weight488.33 g/mol
CAS987-78-0
90
absorption score
9
safety / 10
40
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Choline (CDP-Choline) with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Phosphatidylserine
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
78
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimBrain membrane support
Enhances phosphatidylcholine synthesis and membrane integrity
Neuroprotection and recovery
Supports brain recovery from injury and age-related decline
Stroke and TBI recovery
Clinically proven to aid recovery from brain injuries
Age-related cognitive decline
Slows cognitive decline and supports healthy brain aging
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Creatine Monohydrate
Strength & power enhancement
3-5g
A
95%
Calcium
Bone health & muscle function
1,000-1,200 mg
A
30%
Magnesium Glycinate
Superior absorption sleep & muscle support
200-600 mg
A
90%
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Energy & nerve support
250-1000 mcg
A
70%
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Heart & brain health
1-2g EPA/DHA
A
85%
L-Theanine
Calm focus & stress relief
100-400mg
B
90%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
Both support brain membrane health
Works better together
78
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Phosphatidylserine
Synergistic membrane support and cognitive benefits
Works better together
78
Choline (CDP-Choline) + Vitamin D3
Support choline metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis
Works better together
82
Dosage
Daily250-1000 mg
Cognitive250-500 mg
Therapeutic500-2000 mg
Stroke recovery1000-2000 mg (medical supervision)
Maintenance250-500 mg daily
Upper limit
3500 mg NIH ODS
Before you take it
VeganYes
When to expect it
First Effects1-2 weeks for cognitive improvements
Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for structural brain benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentWeeks to months (choline deficiency)
Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly mild stimulation or digestive upset
How to measure it
MarkerPlasma choline, cytidine, or phosphatidylcholine levels
OptimalVariable, higher levels after supplementation
FrequencyOnly if monitoring therapeutic protocols or research
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 71 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Excluded from the list above: choking (14). Those are people struggling with the tablet itself, not with the compound.
Named as the suspect
71 reports
of 89 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
91%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event61
Hospitalization8
Visited a Health Care Provider5
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Very high 90 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
562.5 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.24 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Both support brain membrane health
Complementary membrane building and anti-inflammatory effects · level B
+
B Complex Vitamins
Support choline metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis
Required cofactors for acetylcholine and phospholipid production · level A
+
Phosphatidylserine
Synergistic membrane support and cognitive benefits
Both support phospholipid membrane integrity · level BWhat not to take with Choline (CDP-Choline)
!
Alcohol
Counteracts cognitive benefits and depletes choline
Interferes with acetylcholine synthesis and membrane integrity · moderate significance
!
Anticholinergic Medications
Opposes cholinergic effects of CDP-choline
Blocks acetylcholine receptors · major significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance effectiveness of Parkinson's medication
What to do: Monitor for improved symptoms
May enhance cholinergic effects
What to do: Monitor for excessive cholinergic symptoms
No significant interactions reported
What to do: Generally safe to combine
Available forms
Cytidine 5'-Diphosphocholine: Pharmaceutical grade, Dual benefits, Extensive research, Clinical applications
Food sources
CDP-choline not found naturally in foods
Only available as supplement · 90
Organ meats (provide choline and cytidine separately)
Variable amounts of precursors · 60
Too little
- Same as general choline deficiency:
- Poor memory and cognitive function
- Fatty liver development
- Muscle damage and weakness
- Poor concentration and focus
- Age-related cognitive decline acceleration
Too much
- Mild headaches in some users
- Slight nausea or stomach upset
- Mild insomnia if taken late in day
- Restlessness at high doses
- Generally excellent safety profile
- No serious adverse effects reported
Who benefits most
stroke-tbi-recovery
Clinically proven benefits for brain injury recovery
500-2000 mg daily (medical supervision)
cognitive-decline-prevention
Superior long-term brain health and neuroprotection
250-1000 mg daily
memory-focus-enhancement
Comprehensive cognitive benefits for healthy individuals
250-750 mg daily
aging-brain-health
Supports healthy brain aging and membrane integrity
500-1000 mg daily
pharmaceutical-preference
Want clinically-proven pharmaceutical-grade supplements
250-1000 mg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Choline (CDP-Choline) at 250-1000 mg per serving. The form that matters here is Cytidine 5'-Diphosphocholine.
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
Alcohol
Counteracts cognitive benefits and depletes choline
Interferes with acetylcholine synthesis and membrane integrityHow it works
- Metabolized to choline and cytidine in the intestine
- Choline component increases acetylcholine synthesis
- Cytidine component enhances phosphatidylcholine production
- Supports both neurotransmitter and membrane synthesis
- Crosses blood-brain barrier efficiently
- Enhances dopamine and norepinephrine release
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Improves recovery from stroke (multiple clinical trials)
- Enhances memory and attention in healthy adults
- Supports brain injury recovery and neuroprotection
- Superior to placebo for age-related cognitive decline
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Choline (CDP-Choline)?
Documented effects: Comprehensive cognitive enhancement; Brain membrane support; Neuroprotection and recovery; Stroke and TBI recovery. Improves memory, attention, and overall cognitive function
How much Choline (CDP-Choline) should you take per day?
The common daily range is 250-1000 mg. By goal — cognitive: 250-500 mg; therapeutic: 500-2000 mg; stroke recovery: 1000-2000 mg (medical supervision); maintenance: 250-500 mg daily.
When is the best time to take Choline (CDP-Choline)?
Divided doses with meals. First effects are typically reported within 1-2 weeks for cognitive improvements.
What are the side effects of Choline (CDP-Choline)?
At excessive doses: Mild headaches in some users, Slight nausea or stomach upset, Mild insomnia if taken late in day, Restlessness at high doses, Generally excellent safety profile. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.
What should you not take with Choline (CDP-Choline)?
Separate it from Alcohol, Anticholinergic Medications by two to four hours. Counteracts cognitive benefits and depletes choline
Does Choline (CDP-Choline) interact with medications?
Documented interactions with levodopa, cholinesterase-inhibitors, blood-thinners. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How much Choline (CDP-Choline) is too much?
The tolerable upper intake level is 3500 mg per day for adults, per NIH ODS. Above that, the risk of adverse effects rises: Mild headaches in some users, Slight nausea or stomach upset, Mild insomnia if taken late in day.
How do you know if you need Choline (CDP-Choline)?
The marker is Plasma choline, cytidine, or phosphatidylcholine levels, optimal range Variable, higher levels after supplementation. Common deficiency signs: Same as general choline deficiency:, Poor memory and cognitive function, Fatty liver development, Muscle damage and weakness.