PlainVitamins

Formulean

by The Vitamin Shoppe Next Step · capsule · 90 capsules

  • On the market (NIH)
  • UPC 7 66536 02897 9
  • DSLD label 55376
  • Serving 3 capsules
  • 30 servings

Formulean by The Vitamin Shoppe Next Step lists 5 ingredients, 5 with an amount per serving of 3 capsules, such as 200 mcg of chromax chromium, 909 mg of guarana extract, 500 mg of citrimax garcinia cambogia extract and 250 mg of L-phenylalanine. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on January 25, 2016.

What is in Formulean?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 3 capsules. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

Formulean: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 55376, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
Chromax Chromiumas Chromium PicolinateChromax Chromium (Form: as Chromium Picolinate)200 mcg167%Chromium Picolinate in Formulean against 121 products200 mcg per serving; the middle half of products list 100 mcg to 500 mcg, the median 200 mcg.200 mcg

39% of 121 products listing chromium picolinate give more (median 200 mcg). Per day at the most servings: 600 mcg.

Guarana extractas CaffeineGuarana extract (Form: standardized for 22% Caffeine Note: 200 mg) PlantPart: seed Genus: Paullinia Species: cupana909 mgGuarana in Formulean against 317 products909 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 300 mg, the median 125 mg.909 mg

Higher than 91% of 317 products listing guarana (median 125 mg). Per day at the most servings: 2,727 mg.

Citrimax Garcinia cambogia extractas (-) Hydroxycitric AcidCitrimax Garcinia cambogia extract (Form: standardized to contain 50% (-) Hydroxycitric Acid (Alt. Name: HCA) Note: 250 mg) PlantPart: fruit Genus: Garcinia Species: cambogia500 mgGarcinia in Formulean against 676 products500 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 200 mg to 1,000 mg, the median 500 mg.500 mg

47% of 676 products listing garcinia give more (median 500 mg). Per day at the most servings: 1,500 mg.

L-Phenylalanine250 mgPhenylalanine in Formulean against 611 products250 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 100 mg to 597.5 mg, the median 250 mg.250 mg

46% of 611 products listing phenylalanine give more (median 250 mg). Per day at the most servings: 750 mg.

L-Carnipureas L-Carnitine TartrateL-Carnipure (Form: as L-Carnitine Tartrate)100 mgL-Carnitine in Formulean against 1,338 products100 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 110.5 mg to 1,000 mg, the median 500 mg.100 mg

75% of 1,338 products listing L-carnitine give more (median 500 mg). Per day at the most servings: 300 mg.

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 55376 (entered January 25, 2016), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD. Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • Its 909 mg of guarana is higher than 91% of the 317 guarana products that print an amount; 26 list more.

The NIH database records 3 servings a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with Formulean's, rare ingredients counting for more.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Directions:As a dietary supplement, take three (3) capsules before breakfast or morning workout. Also take three (3) capsules before afternoon and evening meals. Do not exceed nine capsules daily. Taking more than the recommended amount will not improve results and may cause adverse reactions listed in the warning below. Begin use with one-third the recommended dose (one capsule three times per day) to assess your tolerance. For best results, use as part of a low-fat diet and exercise program.
Warnings
NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
Please note: Guarana Extract contains caffeine and should not be taken by those wishing to eliminate caffeine from their diet.
Warning: Do not use if you are pregnant, nursing or if you are at risk or being treated for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, nervousness or anxiety. Do not use this supplement if you are taking MAO inhibitors (some antidepressants).
Consult your physician before use if you are diabetic. Do not use if you have the genetic disease PKU or existing pigmented malignant melanoma type skin cancer. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare professional if dizziness, sleeplessness, tremors, nervousness, headache, heart palpitations or tingling sensations occur.
Tamper evident Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.
Keep out of reach of children.
Allergens and what it does not contain
Does not contain: Yeast, Wheat, Salt, Soy, Dairy, Citrus, Fish, Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 55376.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate.

Seals and symbols as the label prints them (the maker's; a certifier's own list confirms a seal): Citrimax.

How many labels does Formulean have?

One label is on file, entered on January 25, 2016.

  1. Label 55376 (current) Entered January 25, 2016 · on the market · 90 capsules · UPC 7 66536 02897 9

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (distributor), Secaucus, NJ. All The Vitamin Shoppe Next Step products.

Where next?