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Dietary supplement

Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Extension

Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Carnosine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Life Extension 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 L-Carnosine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension

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: L-carnosine, a compound your body naturally produces. The capsule also includes four inactive ingredients—cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, and silica—which are fillers and binders that help make the capsule.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Carnosine product and its label doesn't state a use — see Carnosine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for carnosine is mixed and incomplete. For autism spectrum disorder, current data suggest it's probably not effective.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and general cognitive impairment, we don't yet have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works or not. The research isn't there to support claims for most of those uses.

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, but we don't have solid long-term safety data, so there's a caution flag there. Some people report decreased appetite, dry mouth, minor weight changes, foot or joint pain, or (rarely) pneumonia when taking it orally.

The safety information during pregnancy and breastfeeding is too thin—there isn't enough data to know whether it's safe, so you should avoid it during both periods unless you've talked it over with your doctor or pharmacist.

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 drugs (oral medications or insulin for blood sugar control), check with your pharmacist before starting carnosine—it may lower your blood glucose further and increase your risk of low blood sugar. Since we documented moderate-severity interactions affecting this medication class, it's a conversation worth having.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Carnosine might be worth considering if you're interested in trying it for cognitive or age-related concerns, but the evidence is limited and long-term safety isn't well established. If you're taking diabetes medication, you need to check this with your pharmacist or doctor first—there's a real risk of low blood sugar.

And if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip it until you've had that conversation.

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 21, 2025.

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 Life Extension
Barcode (UPC) 737870182962
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 21, 2025
DSLD ID 328308
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) 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 Life Extension, 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:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
737870182962
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Silica

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

Scan for product info

Precautions

Read the entire label and follow the directions carefully prior to use.

Warnings: Keep out of reach of children.

Do not exceed recommended dose. Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

To report a serious adverse event or obtain product information, contact 1-866-280-2852.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one (1) capsule once or twice daily, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten Free Non GMO Le Certified

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Le Certified

Formula

Anti-aging peptide

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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.

See for yourself

Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Carnosine

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 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...

L-Carnosine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension 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.

L-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.

Life Extension

See all Life Extension products
Name
Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
City
Ft. Lauderdale
State
FL
ZipCode
33309
Phone Number
1-866-280-2852
Web Address
LifeExtension.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension: Common Questions

Does Carnosine 500 mg by Life Extension 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 carnosine if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—there isn't enough safety information during pregnancy or lactation, so the data advise against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in either situation.
What are the side effects I should watch for?
Most people tolerate it well, but some report decreased appetite, dry mouth, weight changes, foot or joint pain, or (rarely) pneumonia. Long-term safety data are limited, so we don't have a full picture of what might happen with extended use.
Does carnosine actually work for memory or aging?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say it works for age-related cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease. For autism spectrum disorder, the evidence actually points to it being ineffective.
Is carnosine safe to take long-term?
Short-term studies show it's generally well tolerated, but we lack solid long-term safety data. That's worth keeping in mind if you're thinking about taking it for months or years.
What's L-carnosine, and why is it in this product?
L-carnosine is a compound your body makes naturally. It's in this supplement because some research suggests it might have roles in aging and brain health, though the evidence isn't strong yet for most uses.

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

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

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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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