Arginine

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: 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 (impotence)
• heart failure
• high blood pressure
• intermittent claudication (pain in the legs when exercising)
• weight loss in people with AIDS.

Arginine has also been used to improve athletic performance and wound healing and to 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. It may also be given intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Arginine affects human growth hormone. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking arginine, particularly 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 considering. If your provider does not give you specific instructions, 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 this remedy or any of 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 (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. 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.