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MENU  Vitamins & Supplements  L-Arginine

L-Arginine - Uses, Side E!ects, and More

OTHER NAME(S): 2-Amino-5-(diaminomethylidene amino) pentanoic acid, 2-Amino-5-
guanidinopentanoic Acid, (2S)-2-Amino-5-{[amino (imin ... Show More 

Overview Uses Side E!ects Precautions Interactions Dosing Reviews (132)

Uses & E!ectiveness ?

Possibly E!ective for

Chest pain (angina). Taking L-arginine by mouth

seems to decrease symptoms and improve
exercise tolerance and quality of life in people
with angina. But it doesn't seem to help widen
blood vessels that are narrowed in angina.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking 2.5-5 grams of L-
arginine by mouth daily seems to improve sexual
function in people with ED. Taking L-arginine with MORE ON VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil might

work better than taking either L-arginine or the 1 What to Know Before You Take
Herbal Supplements
medication alone.
High blood pressure. Taking L-arginine by mouth
can reduce blood pressure in healthy people, 2 Vitamins and Minerals: How Much
people with high blood pressure, and people with Should You Take?
slightly high blood pressure with or without
diabetes.
A serious intestinal disease in premature infants 3 Signs You’re Low on Vitamin B12

(necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC). Adding L- Ad

arginine to formula seems to reduce the risk for Best Nitric Oxide Supplements

this condition in premature infants.

Narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor
blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial
disease). Taking L-arginine by mouth or by IV for
up to 8 weeks increases blood flow in people with
this condition. But using it for up to 6 months does
not help to improve walking speed or distance. IV
products can only be given by a healthcare
provider.
A pregnancy complication marked by high blood
pressure and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia).
Taking L-arginine by IV can reduce blood pressure
in pregnant people with pre-eclampsia. L-arginine
might also reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in
people who are at high risk for this condition. IV
products can only be given by a healthcare
provider. It's not clear if taking L-arginine by
mouth helps.
High blood pressure during pregnancy. Taking L-
arginine by IV can reduce blood pressure in
pregnancy. It's unclear if taking L-arginine by
mouth lowers blood pressure during pregnancy,
but it might decrease the need to take blood
pressure lowering drugs. IV products can only be
given by a healthcare provider.

Possibly Ine!ective for

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Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease

or CKD). Taking L-arginine by mouth or by IV
Recommended for You
doesn't improve kidney function in most people
with CKD.
High cholesterol. Taking L-arginine by mouth 1 St. John's Wort for Depression

doesn't help to lower cholesterol levels.

2
Garcinia Cambogia: Is It Safe for Weight
Heart attack. Taking L-arginine by mouth doesn't Loss?
seem to help prevent a heart attack. It also
doesn't seem to help treat a heart attack a"er it
3 Vitamin K: How Much Do You Need?
occurs. In fact, there is concern that L-arginine
might be harmful for people a"er a recent heart
attack. Do not take L-arginine if you have had a
recent heart attack.
Tuberculosis. Taking L-arginine by mouth along
with standard treatment for tuberculosis does not
seem to help improve symptoms or clear the
infection.
Wound healing. Taking L-arginine by mouth does
not seem to improve wound healing.

There is interest in using L-arginine for a number of

other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable
information to say whether it might be helpful.

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CONDITIONS USE AND Vitamin C Vitamin
IMPORTANT D Vitamin
INFORMATION: This E
information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your
doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible
uses, precautions, interactions or adverse e!ects. This information may
not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard
seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified
health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD.
You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional
before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care
plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for
you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines

Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this
source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial
influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines,
see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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