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Dietary supplement

L-Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

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

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson

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 (shown here as Right Age Carnosine), a dipeptide — a small protein made of two amino acids linked together. Your body naturally produces carnosine in muscle and brain tissue.

The inactive ingredients are gelatin (the capsule) and calcium laurate (a binder).

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: supports healthy aging and cell rejuvenation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, cellular senescence, skin aging.
  • 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 Alzheimer disease.

The evidence for carnosine is limited and mixed. For autism spectrum disorder, the data suggest 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 whether it works. If you're considering this for one of those reasons, talk it over with your doctor about what the research 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.

Carnosine is generally well tolerated in short studies, but we don't have solid long-term safety data yet. Some trial participants reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in one case, pneumonia — though the link to the supplement wasn't always clear.

The safety data advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe in those situations.

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 — whether insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or others — check your specific medications with the tool on this page. Carnosine may increase the risk of low blood sugar, so your doctor may need to monitor or adjust your dose.

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 is a single-ingredient supplement with limited evidence for most uses and a potential to lower blood sugar if you're on antidiabetes medication. If that's you, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Long-term safety isn't well established, and it's not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to see if it makes sense for you.

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 Jul 21, 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 L-Carnosine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614021188
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 21, 2022
DSLD ID 267058
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
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 L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
087614021188
IngredientAmount% DV
Right Age Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Calcium Laurate

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

Swanson.com or call 1-800-437-4148

Science-Backed Quality Since 1969

Formulation

Supports healthy aging and cell rejuvenation Provides protection against free radical damage Provides antioxidant support

Antioxidant Support

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule one to two times per day with water.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Right Age is a registered trademark of Swanson Health Products.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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.

Formula

500 mg per capsule

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson

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

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

Right Age Carnosine

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: L-Carnosine

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...

Right Age Carnosine monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson 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

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.

Right Age 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 L-Carnosine 500 mg, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does L-Carnosine 500 mg by Swanson 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether carnosine is right for you in these situations.
Does it really help with memory or brain health?
Not clearly. For age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. For autism, early data suggest it's possibly ineffective. Your doctor can help you weigh other options that have stronger evidence.
What are the side effects?
In trial participants, carnosine was linked to decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and rarely, pneumonia. It's generally well tolerated in short studies, but we don't know much about long-term safety yet.
Is this the same as the carnosine my muscles make naturally?
Yes — carnosine is a dipeptide (small protein) your body produces in muscle and brain tissue. This supplement provides an oral dose to increase your blood levels, though how much your body actually uses from an oral dose isn't fully clear.
Will it help my athletic performance?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say. Some athletes take carnosine hoping for a boost, but the research to support that isn't solid yet.

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

Not sure if L-Carnosine 500 mg 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.

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.

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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