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Dietary supplement

Glutamine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Universal

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

Glutamine is a dietary supplement by Universal with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for muscle recovery and sports performance, gut health and 'leaky gut', recovery from severe illness or injury.Based on those ingredients, 50 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Glutamine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Glutamine by Universal

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: glutamine, an amino acid your body produces naturally. It's supplied as a powder you mix into drinks or food.

There are no other active ingredients — just the glutamine itself.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Recovery supplement for muscle and athletic performance.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Exercise-induced muscle damage, Postoperative recovery, Critical illness (trauma), Burns, Wound healing — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Critical illness (trauma) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Postoperative recovery.
  • Also on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance, Burns, Radiation-induced diarrhea.

Glutamine is rated Effective for sickle cell disease. For HIV/AIDS-related wasting, postoperative recovery, and critical illness from trauma, it's rated Possibly Effective — meaning there's some evidence it may help, but it's not yet definitive.

The data we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for other uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Glutamine

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.

Glutamine is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth in healthy adults. The most common side effects are mild digestive complaints — belching, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain — especially at higher doses.

Headache and musculoskeletal pain have also been reported. Two rare cases of mood changes (mania or hypomania) occurred in people with bipolar disorder taking glutamine.

If you have kidney or liver disease, use it only under medical supervision. There isn't enough safety data to recommend supplement doses in pregnancy, so talk with your doctor before taking it if you're pregnant.

For breastfeeding, safety data is limited — avoid supplement doses unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Glutamine

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 — Glutamine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: seizure medications.
  • For scale: 50 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 anticonvulsant medication (seizure drugs), double-check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product — glutamine may theoretically reduce its effectiveness. No other medication interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Glutamine may help with sickle cell disease or recovery from surgery or critical illness, though evidence for the latter two is still building. If you take a seizure medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — glutamine may interfere with how well it works.

People with kidney or liver disease should use it only under medical supervision.

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 Aug 24, 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 Glutamine, straight from the product label.

Brand Universal
Barcode (UPC) 039442046604
Net contents 120 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 24, 2016
DSLD ID 64258
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 Glutamine by Universal, 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:
5 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
10 Gram(s)
Servings per container
24
UPC/BARCODE
039442046604
IngredientAmount% DV
Glutamine5 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: Glutamine, Powder

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.
Precautions

Warnings: Keep out of reach of children.

Before beginning any program, consult your health care practitioner.

Made in a GMP facility on equipment that processes milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and wheat.

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.

General Statements

Plant #3001104580

Made proudly in the U.S.A.

WHO WE ARE Universal Nutrition has been providing cutting edge and staple nutritional supplements to bodybuilders and hard training athletes the world over since 1977. As time passes, certain ideals never go out of style. Honesty. Integrity. Respect. These are the values we uphold and are the bedrock upon which we built our business.

EAC

Brand IP Statement(s)

2014 Universal Nutrition

Glutamine is a "conditionally" essential pro-anabolic amino acid and is the most abundant amino acid in muscle. Glutamine may be the most important variable in promoting optimum protein synthesis, while helping block cortisol to prevent protein breakdown in muscle. * HOW WE BACK IT UP What's is on the label is in the bottle and what is in the bottle will help you reach your goals. We believe it and proudly stand behind every product we manufacture. Our word is our bond.

FDA Statement of Identity

Recovery Supplement

Formula

Pure L- Glutamine

Finest pharmaceutical grade Amino Acid Full 5000mg of Glutamine per serving

WHAT IT IS Glutamine Powder provides the purest L-glutamine powder available.

General

J0714-G-32861

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Dosage: Mix 1-2 rounded teaspoonfuls in 8-12 oz. of your beverage of choice. For optimal results, try using it in your favorite protein shake or meal replacement powder.

See for yourself

Glutamine by Universal label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Glutamine by Universal

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

Serving size5 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container24 Amounts shown are per serving.

Glutamine

Interacts with
50 drugs
5 Gram(s) per serving Form: L-Glutamine

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is usually made in your muscles. A prescription form is FDA-approved to help reduce sickle c...

Glutamine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Glutamine, Powder. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Glutamine by Universal Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Glutamine?

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
50Drugs
50 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Glutamine 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.

Glutamine1 drug type · 50 drugs

Anticonvulsants

Theoretically, glutamine might antagonize the effects of anticonvulsant medications.
Glutamine is metabolized to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate might have antagonistic effects with anticonvulsant drugs. However, this interaction has not yet been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Universal

See all Universal products
Name
Universal Nutrition
City
New Brunswick
State
New Jersey
ZipCode
08901
Phone Number
800-872-0101
Web Address
www.UniversalUSA.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Glutamine by Universal: Common Questions

Does Glutamine by Universal interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Glutamine has a known interaction with 50 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Glutamine 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.
What exactly is glutamine, and why would I take it?
Glutamine is an amino acid your body makes naturally. People take it as a supplement primarily to support recovery after surgery or critical illness, or to manage sickle cell disease — though evidence is strongest for sickle cell. It may also help with HIV/AIDS-related wasting.
Is glutamine safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Glutamine is rated Likely Safe in pregnancy, so it's not a concern there. But for breastfeeding, there isn't enough data — avoid supplement doses unless your doctor tells you it's okay.
What side effects should I expect?
Most side effects are digestive — bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or stomach pain. Headache and muscle pain have also been reported. These tend to show up more at higher doses. Two rare cases of mood changes occurred in people with bipolar disorder.
I have kidney disease. Can I still take glutamine?
If you have kidney or liver disease, use glutamine only under medical supervision. Talk with your doctor before starting.
Does glutamine actually work for postoperative recovery?
There's some evidence glutamine may help after surgery, so it's rated Possibly Effective — but the evidence isn't as strong as it is for sickle cell disease. Talk with your surgeon or doctor about whether it makes sense for your situation.

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

Not sure if Glutamine 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.

Glutamine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Glutamine'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 11 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.

Glutamine 11 references
  1. Miller AL. Therapeutic considerations of L-glutamine: a review of the literature. Altern Med Rev 1999;4:239-48..
  2. Bozzetti F, Biganzoli L, Gavazzi C, et al. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a double-blind randomized study. Nutrition 1997;13:748-51.. PubMed
  3. Mebane AH. L-Glutamine and mania. Am J Psychiatry 984;141:1302-3.
  4. Meldrum BS. Glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the brain: review of physiology and pathology. J Nutr 2000;130:1007S-15S.. PubMed
  5. Garlick PJ. Assessment of the safety of glutamine and other amino acids. J Nutr 2001;131:2556S-61S.. PubMed
  6. Chapman AG. Glutamate and epilepsy. J Nutr 2000;130:1043S-5S.. PubMed
  7. Ziegler TR. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplantation and high dose chemotherapy. J Nutr 2001;131:2578S-84S.. PubMed
  8. Laviano A, Molfino A, Lacaria MT, Canelli A, De Leo S, Preziosa I, Rossi Fanelli F. Glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in nondieting obese female patients. A pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Nov;68(11):1264-6. PubMed
  9. Endari (l-glutamine) [package insert]. Torrance, CA: Emmaus Medical,Inc; 2017.
  10. Niihara Y, Miller ST, Kanter J, et al. A Phase 3 Trial of l-Glutamine in Sickle Cell Disease. N Engl J Med 2018;379(3):226-35. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1715971.
  11. Ogden HB, Child RB, Fallowfield JL, et al. Gastrointestinal Tolerance of Low, Medium and High Dose Acute Oral l-Glutamine Supplementation in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):2953. PubMed

See these in context on the Glutamine 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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