What are other names for this remedy?
Type of medicine: natural remedy
Scientific and common names: 2-amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid,
arg, arginine, arginine HCL, arginine hydrochloride, L arginine,
L-arginine HCL
What is arginine ?
Arginine is an amino acid. Amino acids are found in most meat and
dairy products. Arginine can also be found in grains, chocolate,
nuts, and sesame seeds.
What is it used for?
Arginine has been used to treat:
- angina (chest pain)
- bladder problems
- erectile dysfunction
- heart failure
- high blood pressure
- intermittent claudication (pain in the legs when exercising)
- migraines
- weight loss in people with AIDS
Arginine has also been used to:
- improve athletic performance
- improve circulation
- improve wound healing
- help prevent colds
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses
for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural
remedies the way they do prescription medicines. The FDA has
approved arginine to diagnose pituitary gland problems.
How is it taken?
Arginine can be taken by mouth as capsules or pills. Check the
label on the package for the specific dose. It may also be given
intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider.
What if I overdose?
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
What should I watch out for?
Arginine affects human growth hormone. Talk with your healthcare
provider before taking arginine if you have:
- asthma
- cirrhosis of the liver
- herpes
- kidney failure
- low blood pressure
Talk with your provider before taking this remedy if you have
recently had a heart attack.
Females of childbearing age: If you are pregnant, talk with your
healthcare provider before taking this remedy. Do not use this
remedy if you are breast-feeding.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural
remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your
provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions
that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer
than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand.
Remember:
- Natural remedies are not always safe.
- You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not
be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your
provider's approval.
- They affect your body and may interact with prescription
medicines that you take.
- Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated.
They may have different strengths and effects.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some
unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some
side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell
your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that
continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right
away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right
away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic
reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble
breathing).
Serious: Irregular heartbeat, fainting.
Other: Bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain.
What products might interact with this remedy?
When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the
way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods
may also interact. Using these products together might cause
harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your
healthcare provider if you are taking:
- ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and
ramipril (Altace)
- alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and doxazosin
(Cardura)
- angiotensin receptor II blockers such as candesartan
(Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan
(Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and
valsartan (Diovan)
- beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol
(Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and
propranolol (Inderal)
- calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor,
Tiamate, Tiazac), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine
(Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and verapamil (Calan,
Isoptin, Verelan)
- diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic),
chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone),
furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex),
and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
- medicines to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil
(Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis)
- nitroglycerin and nitrates such as isosorbide (Isordil),
Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Minitran, and Nitrostat
Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the
prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements,
natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you
tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products
you are taking.
Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of
children.
This advisory includes select information only. The information
was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other
documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or
implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all
side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other
medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for
the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist
for more information.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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