Loading…
We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we’ll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Butterbur vs Sarcosine: Sarcosine has the stronger overall evidence (5 vs 6/10); the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Sarcosine wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
50-75mg PA-free standardized extract twice daily for migraine prophylaxis (≈100-150mg/day); allergic rhinitis similar (in the cited migraine trial, 50 mg twice daily did not beat placebo and 75 mg twice daily did)
With meals
Certified PA-free standardized extract
500-2000 mg/day in trials (schizophrenia commonly 2 g/day add-on; OCD trials 500-2000 mg/day)
Morning
Sarcosine (N-methylglycine)
1-3 months
2-6 weeks
Variable
2-6 weeks
6-12 weeks
2-10 weeks
Throughout use
Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.
Neurology (2004) · Rct · n=245
245 adults with migraine took Petasites extract 75 mg twice daily, 50 mg twice daily, or placebo for 4 months.
Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review.
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2006) · Systematic review · n=293
Two randomised trials with 293 patients (60 and 233), both of the proprietary extract Petadolex. Results were described, not pooled, because they were heterogeneous.
Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2002) · Rct · n=125
125 patients with hay fever were randomised to butterbur Ze339 four times daily (61) or cetirizine once daily (64) for two weeks.
Efficacy and cognitive effect of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials.
J Psychopharmacol (2020) · Meta analysis · n=326
Pooled 7 double-blind RCTs, 326 patients with schizophrenia
Inhibition of glycine transporter-I as a novel mechanism for the treatment of depression.
Biol Psychiatry (2013) · Rct · n=40
6-week randomized double-blind citalopram-controlled trial in 40 patients with major depressive disorder
Sarcosine therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder: a prospective, open-label study.
J Clin Psychopharmacol (2011) · Open label · n=25
10-week open-label trial, 25 analyzable OCD patients, 500-2000 mg/day
Sarcosine has a higher evidence score (5/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.