Oral vs. Topical

• Side effects from DMAE are most likely to occur when the supplement is taken by mouth (orally) rather than used topically, according to RxList.
  
  

Types of Side Effects

• Possible side effects of DMAE include constipation, headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, hyperactivity, abnormal dreams, confusion, depression, changes in personality, nervousness and anxiousness.
  
  

Drug Interactions

• DMAE increases the risk of side effects associated with certain medications used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease, including donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne).
  
  

Risks

• In some patients, DMAE causes an increase in blood pressure. Additionally, DMAE can cause the onset of schizophrenia symptoms or exacerbate mental illness in patients already affected by mental-health issues.
  
  

Considerations

• If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid taking DMAE. Because it has the potential to cause drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how DMAE affects you.