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Dietary supplement

L-Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

L-Carnosine 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking L-Carnosine 500 mg 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

L-Carnosine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by NOW 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.

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Check Your Meds Against L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW

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 supplement contains one active ingredient: L-Carnosine, a compound made naturally in your body. L-Carnosine is present in muscle tissue and may play a role in muscle function and cellular health.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—hypromellose, stearic acid, and silicon dioxide—which are standard fillers and binders.

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 — see Carnosine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: healthy aging and muscle vitality.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Athletic performance, Muscle strength, Cellular protection, Antioxidant defense.
  • The closest evidence on file: Carnosine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related cognitive decline (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Carnosine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Athletic performance.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that L-Carnosine works well for most of its marketed uses. For autism spectrum disorder, the research suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and general cognitive impairment, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate it one way or the other. If you're considering this supplement for one of these conditions, talk with your doctor about what the current science actually supports.

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.

L-Carnosine is generally well tolerated in short-term studies, but we don't have much long-term safety data, so caution is warranted if you're thinking of taking it for months or years. Some people have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and rarely, pneumonia.

The safety information for pregnancy and breastfeeding is insufficient—there isn't enough data to know whether it's safe, so you should avoid it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises otherwise.

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.

Check your diabetes medications (antidiabetes drugs) before starting this supplement—carnosine may increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with them. Use the medication checker on this page to verify your specific drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

L-Carnosine might interest someone curious about muscle health or the conditions listed above, but the evidence for those uses is weak or unclear. If you take diabetes medications, this product warrants a conversation with your pharmacist first because of the low blood sugar risk.

Long-term safety isn't well established, and pregnancy or breastfeeding are times to skip it.

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 Jun 20, 2024.

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 L-Carnosine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739000798
Net contents 100 Veg Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 314415
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), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy 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 L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW, 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 Veg Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veg Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
733739000798
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: Take 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily, preferably with food.

Formula

L-Carnosine (beta-Alanyl-L-Histidine) is a dipeptide, consisting of alanine and histidine. It is naturally found in high concentrations in muscles and nerve tissues and its levels are known to decrease with age. L-Carnosine protects cell and tissue structures during the aging process through its free-radical neutralizing and membrane-stabilizing functions.

Triangle K (Kosher)

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.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Formulation

Healthy aging Supports muscle vitality Free radical scavenger Supports cell integrity

Non-GMO

Vegetarian/Vegan

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients.

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Triangle K (Kosher)

GMP Quality Assured

General Statements

Amino acids Family owned since 1968.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening.

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

See for yourself

L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW label

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

L-Carnosine 500 mg 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 L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW

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

Serving size1 Veg Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Carnosine

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Beta-Alanyl-L-Histidine

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: Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-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

L-Carnosine 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in L-Carnosine 500 mg interact with 86 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in L-Carnosine 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. L-Carnosine

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

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

Brand information

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

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW: Common Questions

Does L-Carnosine 500 mg by NOW interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-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?
L-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 L-Carnosine if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information to know whether L-Carnosine is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The facts advise against use in both situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it.
What are the side effects of L-Carnosine?
The most common reported side effects are decreased appetite, dry mouth, and small weight changes. Some people have also reported foot and joint pain. Pneumonia has been reported rarely. Let your pharmacist know if any of these concern you.
Does L-Carnosine actually work for autism or Alzheimer's?
For autism spectrum disorder, research suggests it's probably not effective. For Alzheimer's disease, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. Talk with your doctor about treatments with stronger evidence if you're managing either condition.
Is L-Carnosine safe to take long-term?
We have good safety data for short-term use, but long-term safety information is limited. If you're thinking of taking it for months or years, it's worth discussing with your pharmacist or doctor first.
What is L-Carnosine and why is it in this supplement?
L-Carnosine is a compound your body makes naturally, especially in muscle tissue. It's thought to play a role in muscle function and cellular health, which is why it's sold as a supplement. Whether taking it as a pill provides a real benefit is what we don't have strong evidence for yet.

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

Not sure if L-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.

L-Carnosine 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind L-Carnosine 500 mg’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

L-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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