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Dietary supplement

Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Doctor's Best

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Carnosine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Doctor's Best with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anti-aging and general wellness, exercise performance and muscle support, brain and cognitive health.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Carnosine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: carnosine, a compound your body naturally produces. It's packaged in a capsule with inactive ingredients — modified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicon dioxide — which are standard binders and flow agents.

Does it work?

No specific claim
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
General wellness

This Carnosine product is marketed for general wellness, not a specific health condition, so there's no single claim to grade — see Carnosine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“healthy aging support with antioxidant function”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.

The evidence for carnosine is thin across most of its proposed uses. For autism spectrum disorder, early findings suggest it may not be effective.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and cognitive impairment overall, we don't yet have enough reliable research to say whether it works. The research landscape here is still developing, so talk with your doctor if you're considering this for a specific condition.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Carnosine

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Carnosine is generally well tolerated in short-term studies, though long-term safety data are limited — we just don't have enough information from extended use. Reported side effects in trials include decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in one case pneumonia, though these remain uncommon.

There isn't enough safety information to recommend carnosine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Carnosine

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Carnosine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take any antidiabetes drug — whether insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or another class — check your specific medication in our tool before starting carnosine. The interaction is Moderate severity and centers on a potential drop in blood sugar.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula marketed for general wellness rather than one specific gradeable purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Carnosine may be worth exploring if you're interested in cognitive or athletic support, but the evidence backing those uses is incomplete. The main caution is if you take diabetes medication — you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist first because of the theoretical risk of low blood sugar.

Long-term safety is also an open question, so this is best discussed with your healthcare provider before you start.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2016.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Carnosine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Doctor's Best
Barcode (UPC) 753950003590
Net contents 90 Veggie Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2016
DSLD ID 60193
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
45
UPC/BARCODE
753950003590
IngredientAmount% DV
Carnosine1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Carnosine is a naturally-occurring dipeptide, concentrated in the brain, heart, liver, other organs, and skeletal muscle. It has multifunctional antioxidant and oxygen free radicalscavenging characteristics. Carnosine may help athletic recovery and performance.* Research has shown that carnosine inhibits AGE (advanced glycation end product) formation and may help brain and neurological health. Helps support age-related cognitive function* Helps improve athletic recovery and performance* Helps promote cell-level stress tolerance*

HEALTHY AGING SUPPORT*

500 mg

Formulation

May help vegetarians and vegans to increase carnosine lacking in the diet.

Non-GMO / Gluten Free / Soy Free

Vegan

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General

YDRB359-1

Brand IP Statement(s)

Science-Based Nutrition

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Vegan

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Adult Use: Take 2 capsules daily, with food, or as recommended by a nutritionally-informed physician.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

See for yourself

Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Carnosine

Interacts with
86 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (made of beta-alanine and histidine) that acts as an antioxidant and buffer in muscle and brain. It is so...

Carnosine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Modified Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Carnosine 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Carnosine 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Carnosine1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking carnosine with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some, but not all, preliminary clinical research shows that carnosine might reduce fasting blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Carnosine 500 mg, from the product label.

Doctor's Best

See all Doctor's Best products
Name
Doctor's Best, Inc.
State
California
Phone Number
(800) 777-2474
Web Address
www.drbvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best: Common Questions

Does Carnosine 500 mg by Doctor's Best interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Carnosine 500 mg has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Carnosine 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety information we have on carnosine during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not adequate. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this supplement if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy.
What side effects might I notice?
In trials, some people reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, mild weight changes, foot or joint pain, or rarely pneumonia. Most users tolerate it well in the short term, though we have limited data on long-term safety.
Does carnosine actually improve athletic performance?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works for athletic performance. The research so far is insufficient to make that claim.
I've heard it helps with Alzheimer's or memory loss — is that true?
For both age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease, we lack enough reliable evidence to know whether carnosine helps. Talk with your doctor about whether it's worth trying in your situation.
What exactly is carnosine?
Carnosine is a compound your body naturally makes from amino acids. This supplement provides it in concentrated form as a 500 mg capsule.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Carnosine 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Carnosine 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Carnosine 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 5 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Carnosine 5 references
  1. Chengappa KN, Turkin SR, DeSanti S, et al. A preliminary, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-carnosine to improve cognition in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2012;142(1-3):145-52. PubMed
  2. Karkabounas S, Papadopoulos N, Anastasiadou C, et al. Effects of a-lipoic Acid, carnosine, and thiamine supplementation in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind study. J Med Food. 2018;21(12):1197-1203.
  3. Peng W, Mao P, Liu L, et al. Effect of carnosine supplementation on lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, HbA1C and insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 2020;48:102241. PubMed
  4. Siriwattanasit N, Satirapoj B, Supasyndh O. Effect of oral carnosine supplementation on urinary TGF-ß in diabetic nephropathy: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nephrol 2021;22(1):236. PubMed
  5. Sureshkumar K, Durairaj M, Srinivasan K, et al. Effect of L-Carnosine in Patients with Age-Related Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2023;28(1):18. PubMed

See these in context on the Carnosine monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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