Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 6 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

FLEX Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by AdvoCare

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

FLEX is a dietary supplement by AdvoCare with 8 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for acetaminophen (tylenol) overdose support, liver health, urinary tract acidification.Based on those ingredients, 4 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Threonine, L-Glycine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of FLEX by AdvoCare

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

Partial disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Partial

Most active ingredients list an amount, but at least one is hidden in a blend or missing.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 7 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • “UC-II standardized Cartilage” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (40 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

FLEX contains 8 active ingredients, all amino acids and collagen forms. The amino acids are L-methionine, L-proline, L-glycine, L-histidine, L-threonine, L-serine, and the product also includes undenatured Type II Collagen and Total Collagen, along with UC-II standardized Cartilage.

These are the building blocks your body uses to form and repair connective tissue — primarily to support joints and overall flexibility. The capsules also contain inactive ingredients including microcrystalline cellulose (a binder), gelatin (the capsule shell), and L-leucine.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Joint and connective tissue support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Knee pain, Back pain, Fractures, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Wound healing — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Methionine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Wound healing (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Glycine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Wound healing, Physical performance.
  • Also on file: Serine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Back pain, Knee pain.

The evidence we have is limited and mixed. L-methionine is rated possibly effective for neural tube birth defects, and L-serine and L-glycine are each rated possibly effective for schizophrenia — but this product is marketed for joint health, not these conditions.

For the joint-related purposes most people buy this for — like osteoporosis, fractures, and wound healing — the evidence we hold rates as insufficient to know whether these ingredients work. That doesn't mean they don't; it means the data to prove it isn't established yet in what we have on file.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Methionine Proline Glycine Histidine Threonine Serine

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 4 of the 6 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 6 of 6.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 6 of 6.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

L-methionine, L-proline, L-histidine, L-threonine, and L-glycine are generally well tolerated at typical doses, though long-term safety data are limited for some. Common side effects reported are mild and infrequent — dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and gastrointestinal upset (nausea, bloating, diarrhea) resolve quickly if they occur.

For pregnancy and breastfeeding: L-methionine and L-histidine are rated likely safe; L-proline, L-glycine, L-threonine, and L-serine don't have enough reliable safety data on supplement doses, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice before using this product if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Methionine Proline Glycine Histidine Threonine Serine

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 6 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Glycine, Threonine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 4 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.

Before you take FLEX, double-check if you're on any NMDA antagonists (memantine and similar drugs for dementia or other conditions) — L-threonine may lower how well they work, and this is a Major concern. Also check if you take clozapine (Clozaril) for schizophrenia; L-glycine could worsen symptoms.

Your pharmacist or doctor can confirm whether any of your medications fall into these categories.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glancePartially disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

FLEX is a blend of amino acids and collagen meant to support joint flexibility and connective tissue health. If you take an NMDA antagonist or clozapine, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product — it may affect how well your medication works.

Otherwise, it's generally well tolerated, though evidence for its effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. Talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist to see if it's right for your situation.

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

Assessment coverage: 6 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 19, 2022.

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 FLEX, straight from the product label.

Brand AdvoCare
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 265365
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, 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 FLEX by AdvoCare, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Methionine100 mg--
L-Proline400 mg--
L-Glycine100 mg--
L-Histidine100 mg--
L-Threonine100 mg--
undenatured Type II Collagen0 NP--
L-Serine100 mg--
Total Collagen10 mg--
UC-II standardized Cartilage40 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, L-Leucine

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

For more information visit advocare.com

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions For Use: Take 2 capsules, once per day on an empty stomach.

Precautions

Note: Check with your healthcare professional before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store away from excessive heat, light and humidity.

Brand IP Statement(s)

UC-II is a registered trademark of Interhealth N.I. UC-II brand collagen with undenatured type II collagen (U.S. Patents 7,083,820, 7,846,487, and EPO Patent EP 1435906B1; Canadian Patent CA 2459981C; and Japanese Patent JP 4800574B2)

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Amino Acid and Collagen Supplement

Formulation

Supports joint health, mobility and flexibility Contributes to the body's natural production of collagen and supports healthy connective tissue

Seals/Symbols

Informed Sport We Test-You Trust

See for yourself

FLEX by AdvoCare label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in FLEX by AdvoCare

These are the 8 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

L-Methionine

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

Methionine is an essential amino acid that your body needs for protein building and many basic chemical reactions. Most people get enough from a norma...

L-Methionine monograph & interactions

L-Proline

No known
interactions
400 mg per serving

Proline is a non-essential amino acid that your body can make on its own and that you also get from protein-rich foods. It is a key building block of...

L-Proline monograph & interactions

L-Glycine

Interacts with
1 drug
100 mg per serving

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid your body makes on its own and that also appears in protein-rich foods. It is most studied for improving sleep q...

L-Glycine monograph & interactions

L-Histidine

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

Histidine is an essential amino acid your body needs to build proteins and to make compounds like histamine and carnosine. Most people get enough from...

L-Histidine monograph & interactions

L-Threonine

Interacts with
3 drugs
100 mg per serving

Threonine is an essential amino acid your body needs but cannot make, so you must get it from food or supplements. Most people get plenty from a norma...

L-Threonine monograph & interactions

L-Serine

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

Serine is an amino acid your body can make on its own and also gets from protein-rich foods, so most people do not need a supplement. L-serine has bee...

L-Serine monograph & interactions

UC-II standardized Cartilage

40 mg per serving
  • › Undenatured Type II Collagen
  • › Total Collagen

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, L-Leucine. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

FLEX by AdvoCare Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against FLEX?

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
4Drugs
3 Major 1 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

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

L-Threonine1 drug type · 3 drugs

Nmda Antagonists

Theoretically, threonine might decrease the effects of NMDA antagonists.
Threonine increases central nervous system (CNS) glycine levels. Glycine seems to bind a site on NMDA receptors and enhance the activity of the receptors.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B

L-Glycine1 drug type · 1 drug

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Theoretically, glycine might decrease the effectiveness of clozapine.
One small clinical study in patients with schizophrenia shows that adding glycine to clozapine therapy worsens symptoms of schizophrenia when compared with clozapine alone. The mechanism of this interaction is unclear.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

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

AdvoCare

Name
AdvoCare International, LLC
City
Richardson
State
TX
ZipCode
75082
Phone Number
800-542-4800
Web Address
advocare.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

FLEX by AdvoCare: Common Questions

Does FLEX by AdvoCare interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, FLEX has a known interaction with 4 medications, including 3 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
FLEX contains 8 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 FLEX if I'm pregnant?
L-methionine and L-histidine are rated likely safe, but L-proline, L-glycine, L-threonine, and L-serine don't have enough reliable safety data on supplement doses to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product during pregnancy — they can give you personalized advice based on your health.
Can I take FLEX while breastfeeding?
Safety data for supplement doses while breastfeeding is not well studied for most of the amino acids in this product. L-methionine is likely safe in food amounts. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product if you're breastfeeding.
What side effects might I get from FLEX?
The most common reported side effects are mild — dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. These are rare and typically go away quickly if they happen. If you notice anything unusual or it doesn't improve, stop and talk to your pharmacist.
How do the amino acids in FLEX help joints?
Amino acids like methionine, proline, glycine, and serine are the building blocks your body uses to make collagen and repair connective tissue in your joints. The collagen forms in the product provide additional structural support, though evidence that this specific blend works for joint health isn't established in the data we hold.
Is there enough evidence that FLEX actually works for flexibility?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish whether this product is effective for joint health, fractures, osteoporosis, or wound healing. That doesn't mean it doesn't work — just that we don't have reliable data to prove it either way. Talk with your doctor about whether it's a good fit for what you're trying to do.

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

Not sure if FLEX 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.

FLEX label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind FLEX’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Methionine

Methionine is an essential amino acid that your body needs for protein building and many basic chemical reactions. Most people get enough from a normal diet, and supplements are generally no...

Read the full Methionine monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Proline

Proline is a non-essential amino acid that your body can make on its own and that you also get from protein-rich foods. It is a key building block of collagen, but strong human evidence that...

Read the full Proline monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Glycine

Interacts with 1 drug

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid your body makes on its own and that also appears in protein-rich foods. It is most studied for improving sleep quality, where early research is promisin...

Read the full Glycine monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Histidine

Histidine is an essential amino acid your body needs to build proteins and to make compounds like histamine and carnosine. Most people get enough from a normal diet, and good-quality researc...

Read the full Histidine monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Threonine

Interacts with 3 drugs

Threonine is an essential amino acid your body needs but cannot make, so you must get it from food or supplements. Most people get plenty from a normal diet, and high-quality evidence for ta...

Read the full Threonine monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Serine

Serine is an amino acid your body can make on its own and also gets from protein-rich foods, so most people do not need a supplement. L-serine has been studied for certain neurological condi...

Read the full Serine monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

FLEX'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 31 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.

Methionine 12 references
  1. La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S, Decarli A. Case-control study on influence of methionine, nitrite, and salt on gastric carcinogenesis in northern Italy. Nutr Cancer 1997;27:65-8. PubMed
  2. Btaiche IF, Khalidi N. Parenteral nutrition-associated liver complications in children. Pharmacotherapy 2002;22:188-211.. PubMed
  3. Cottington EM, LaMantia C, Stabler SP, et al. Adverse event associated with methionine loading test: a case report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002;22:1046-50.. PubMed
  4. Anon. Should methionine be added to paracetamol formulations? Drug Ther Perspect 1997;10:11-3. DOI
  5. Smulders, Y. M., Rakic, M., Slaats, E. H., Treskes, M., Sijbrands, E. J., Odekerken, D. A., Stehouwer, C. D., and Silberbusch, J. Fasting and post-methionine homocysteine levels in NIDDM. Determinants and correlations with retinopathy, albuminuria, and c
  6. McAuley, D. F., Hanratty, C. G., McGurk, C., Nugent, A. G., and Johnston, G. D. Effect of methionine supplementation on endothelial function, plasma homocysteine, and lipid peroxidation. J.Toxicol.Clin.Toxicol. 1999;37(4):435-440. PubMed
  7. Hanratty, C. G., McGrath, L. T., McAuley, D. F., Young, I. S., and Johnston, G. D. The effects of oral methionine and homocysteine on endothelial function. Heart 2001;85(3):326-330. PubMed
  8. Ward, M., McNulty, H., McPartlin, J., Strain, J. J., Weir, D. G., and Scott, J. M. Effect of supplemental methionine on plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy men: a preliminary study. Int.J.Vitam.Nutr.Res. 2001;71(1):82-86. PubMed
  9. Yaghmai, R., Kashani, A. H., Geraghty, M. T., Okoh, J., Pomper, M., Tangerman, A., Wagner, C., Stabler, S. P., Allen, R. H., Mudd, S. H., and Braverman, N. Progressive cerebral edema associated with high methionine levels and betaine therapy in a patient
  10. Talukdar R, Murthy HV, Reddy DN. Role of methionine containing antioxidant combination in the management of pain in chronic pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pancreatology 2015;15(2):136-44. PubMed
  11. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2005. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17226 DOI
  12. Khairan P, Sobue T, Eshak ES, et al. Association of B Vitamins and Methionine Intake with the Risk of Gastric Cancer: The Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2022;15(2):101-110. PubMed

See these in context on the Methionine monograph →

Proline 4 references
  1. Jennings A, MacGregor A, Spector T, Cassidy A. Amino acid intakes are associated with bone mineral density and prevalence of low bone mass in women: Evidence from discordant monozygotic twins. J Bone Miner Res. 2016;31(2):326-35. PubMed
  2. Gracia-Marco L, Bel-Serrat S, Cuenca-Garcia M, et al. Amino acids intake and physical fitness among adolescents. Amino Acids. 2017;49(6):1041-1052. PubMed
  3. Jamdar J, Rao B, Netke S, et al. Reduction in tibial shaft fracture healing time with essential nutrient supplementation containing ascorbic acid, lysine, and proline. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(6):915-6.
  4. Mehl AA, Damião AO, Viana SD, Andretta CP. Hard-to-heal wounds: a randomised trial of an oral proline-containing supplement to aid repair. J Wound Care 2021;30(1):26-31. PubMed

See these in context on the Proline monograph →

Glycine 5 references
  1. Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ermilov M, et al. Efficacy of high-dose glycine in the treatment of enduring negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:29-36.. PubMed
  2. Potkin SG, Jin Y, Bunney BG, Costa J, Gulasekaram B. Effect of clozapine and adjunctive high-dose glycine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 1999;156:145-7.. PubMed
  3. Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI, Dambinova SA, et al. Neuroprotective effects of glycine for therapy of acute ischaemic stroke. Cerebrovasc Dis 2000;10:49-60. PubMed
  4. Inagawa K, Kawai N, Ono K, Sukegawa E, Tsubuku S, Takahashi M. Assessment of acute adverse effects of glycine ingestion at a high dose in human volunteers. Seikatsu Eisei. 2006; 50:27-32.
  5. Woods SW, Walsh BC, Hawkins KA, Miller TJ, Saksa JR, D'Souza DC, Pearlson GD, Javitt DC, McGlashan TH, Krystal JH. Glycine treatment of the risk syndrome for psychosis: report of two pilot studies. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Aug;23(8):931-40. PubMed

See these in context on the Glycine monograph →

Histidine 3 references
  1. Histidine — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Source
  2. Amino Acids — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Source
  3. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Source

See these in context on the Histidine monograph →

Threonine 4 references
  1. Tandan R, Bromberg MB, Forshew D, et al. A controlled trial of amino acid therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: I. Clinical, functional, and maximum isometric torque data. Neurology 1996;47:1220-6. PubMed
  2. Lee A, Patterson V. A double blind study of L-threonine in patients with spinal spasticity. Acta Neurol Scand 1993;88:334-8. PubMed
  3. Blin O, Pouget J, Aubrespy G, et al. A double-blind placebo controlled trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 1992;239:79-81.
  4. Roufs JB. L-threonine as a symptomatic treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Med Hypotheses 1991;34:20-3. PubMed

See these in context on the Threonine monograph →

Serine 3 references
  1. Fridman V, Suriyanarayanan S, Novak P, et al. Randomized trial of l-serine in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1. Neurology. 2019;92(4):e359-e370.
  2. Kantrowitz JT, Malhotra AK, Cornblatt B, et al. High dose D-serine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 2010 Aug;121(1-3):125-30. PubMed
  3. Levine TD, Miller RG, Bradley WG, et al. Phase I clinical trial of safety of L-serine for ALS patients. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener. 2017;18(1-2):107-111. PubMed

See these in context on the Serine 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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