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Supplements/Nootropic

CDP-Choline (Citicoline)

Phospholipid precursor for cognition.

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Overview

Phospholipid precursor for cognition.

Natural sources
  • Manufactured pharmaceutical-grade compound
  • Standardized botanical extract (for plant-derived nootropics)
  • Stack formulations combined with cholinergic or adaptogenic ingredients
Common forms
  • Capsule
  • Powder for stacking
  • Sublingual tablet
  • Liposomal liquid

Mechanism of action

Provides choline and cytidine; supports phosphatidylcholine.

Pathways
  • · Provides choline
  • · cytidine
  • · supports phosphatidylcholine

Effects on the body

Supports
attention

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

CDP-Choline (Citicoline) acts on central nervous system targets implicated in attention, memory, and neuroprotection.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves attention

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Insomnia
  • · Headache
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Prescription medications (general)
      Always disclose CDP-Choline (Citicoline) use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
      minor

      Safety & non-supplemental interactions

      Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

      Avoid if you are
      • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
      • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
        Membrane fluidity and neuronal signaling support.
      • Alpha-GPC or CDP-choline
        Provides choline substrate for acetylcholine synthesis.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      250–500 mg
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the capsule form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      Either with or without food.

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Scientific evidence8Show studies
      RCTFood Funct · 2015

      Citicoline for cognition

      Knott V, et al.

      60 healthy women

      Key findings

      Improved attention and motor speed.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — Improves attention

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) Improves attention" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "Improves attention". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "CDP-Choline (Citicoline) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: CDP-Choline (Citicoline) — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for CDP-Choline (Citicoline) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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