MedicineNet.com

• What other names is L-arginine known by?
• What is L-arginine?
• How does L-arginine work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for L-arginine.

What other names is L-arginine known by?

2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, (2S)-2-Amino-5-{[amino (imino) methyl]amino}pentanoic Acid, Acide 2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoïque, Arg, Arginine, Arginine Ethyl Ester, Arginine Ethyl Ester Dihydrochloride, Arginine Ethyl Ester HCl, Arginine HCl, Arginine Hydrochloride, Di-Arginine Malate, Di-Arginine Orotate, Di-L-Arginine-L-Malate, Dl-Arginine, L-Arginina, L-Arginine Ethyl Ester Dichloride, L-Arginine HCl, L-Arginine Hexanoate, L-Arginine Hydrochloride, L-Arginine Ketoisocaproic Acid, L-Arginine L-Pyroglutamate, L-Arginine Pyroglutamate, L-Arginine Taurinate, Malate de Di-Arginine, Orotate de Di-Arginine, R-Gene 10.

What is L-arginine?

L-arginine is an amino acid that is obtained from the diet and is necessary for the body to make proteins. It is found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. It can also be made in a laboratory and used as medicine.

Possibly Effective for...

• Improving recovery after surgery.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (angina pectoris).
• Preventing loss of effect of nitroglycerin in people with angina pectoris.
• Problems with erections of the penis (erectile dysfunction).
• Improving kidney function in kidney transplant patients taking cyclosporine.
• Bladder inflammation.
• Cramping pain and weakness in the legs associated with blocked arteries (intermittent claudication).
• Wasting and weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS, when used with hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB).
• Preventing inflammation of the digestive tract in premature infants.

Possibly Ineffective for...

• Heart attack. Taking L-arginine does not seem to help prevent a heart attack. L-arginine also does not seem to be beneficial for treating a heart attack after it has occurred. In fact, there is concern that L-arginine might be harmful for people who have had a recent heart attack. Don't take L-arginine if you have had a recent heart attack.
• Pre-eclampsia. An increase in blood pressure during pregnancy.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Male infertility, prevention of the common cold, migraine headache, decreased mental function in the elderly, improving athletic performance, breast cancer when used in combination with chemotherapy, wound healing, female sexual problems, sickle cell disease, improving healing of diabetic foot ulcers, and improving the immune system in people with head and neck cancer.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).