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Dietary supplement

Carnosine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by AFI America's Finest

Carnosine label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Carnosine against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Carnosine is a dietary supplement by AFI America's Finest 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.

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Check Your Meds Against Carnosine by AFI America's Finest

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Carnosine by AFI America's Finest — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Carnosine by AFI America's Finest

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

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 dipeptide (a small protein-like compound made of two amino acids linked together) that your body naturally produces. Carnosine is found in muscle and brain tissue and has been studied for its potential effects on aging, muscle function, and brain health.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and filled with inactive ingredients including stearic acid, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, and water — standard excipients that help form and preserve 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

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Support healthy protein metabolism.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for carnosine is mixed and incomplete. For autism spectrum disorder, research suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and general cognitive impairment, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. If you're considering this supplement for any of those uses, the data simply aren't there to support a clear answer yet.

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 information is limited. Some people have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in one case pneumonia — though these reports are not common.

The safety data aren't sufficient for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so you should avoid this product if you're pregnant or nursing unless you've talked with your doctor or pharmacist first.

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 antidiabetes drugs for diabetes, check with your pharmacist before starting carnosine — it may lower your blood sugar further and increase the risk of going too low. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely or adjust your diabetes medication.

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 may be worth considering if you're interested in aging or brain health, but the evidence for most uses is either absent or limited. If you take diabetes medication, you'll want to check with us before starting this supplement — the interaction with blood sugar is real and worth managing.

Talk to your pharmacist about whether this fits your situation.

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 23, 2014.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand AFI America's Finest
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 23, 2014
DSLD ID 15630
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 by AFI America's Finest, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Stearic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Water

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Science of Life for the Joy of Living(TM)

A Registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation

FDA Statement of Identity

Carnosine Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

AFI

General Statements

Support Healthy Protein Metabolism*

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take one to two capsules daily with meal, or as recommended by your health care professional.*

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Carnosine by AFI America's Finest label

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

Carnosine label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Carnosine by AFI America's Finest

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

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

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...

Carnosine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Stearic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Carnosine by AFI America's Finest Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Carnosine?

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

Carnosine 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Carnosine interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Carnosine interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Carnosine

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Carnosine 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
Carnosine full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

AFI America's Finest

See all AFI America's Finest products
Name
America's Finest, Inc.
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Carnosine by AFI America's Finest: Common Questions

Does Carnosine by AFI America's Finest interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Carnosine 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 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 data aren't sufficient to know either way, so we advise against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use — they can give you personalized advice based on your individual situation.
What side effects have been reported?
Some people have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and rarely pneumonia. These aren't common, but they're worth knowing about.
Does carnosine actually work for brain health or aging?
The evidence is thin. For autism it looks possibly ineffective; for Alzheimer disease, cognitive decline, athletic performance, and cataracts, we simply don't have enough reliable research to say whether it works.
Why is long-term safety a concern?
Most studies of carnosine have been short-term, so we don't know much about what happens if you take it for months or years. The long-term picture just isn't clear yet.

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

Not sure if Carnosine 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 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Carnosine’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Carnosine

Interacts with 86 drugs

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 sold as an anti-aging and performance supp...

Read the full Carnosine monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Carnosine'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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