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Dietary supplement

L-Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by The Vitamin Shoppe

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 The Vitamin Shoppe 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.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Carnosine 500 mg by The Vitamin Shoppe

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, a compound your body naturally makes from amino acids. The capsule also holds microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients that help hold the capsule together and keep the powder flowing.

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: cellular health and antioxidant support.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for L-carnosine is mixed and limited. 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 yet have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. The data we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for these uses.

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 information on what happens with long-term use. Some people have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in rare cases, pneumonia.

Because there isn't enough safety data in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, the safety information advises against use during both times. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking this product.

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 or any medication to control blood sugar, double-check them against this product before starting. Carnosine may lower blood sugar, and combining it with diabetes medication creates a moderate risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Your doctor or pharmacist can help you weigh that risk.

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.

L-carnosine might be worth considering if you're interested in research-stage supplements, but evidence for most uses is either lacking or suggests it won't help. The main caution is if you take diabetes medications—you'll want to check this ingredient against your exact drugs and discuss it with your doctor first.

Avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Chat with your own pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you're on any regular medications.

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 Jan 25, 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 L-Carnosine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand The Vitamin Shoppe
Barcode (UPC) 766536028986
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2016
DSLD ID 55624
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 The Vitamin Shoppe, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
766536028986
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate

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

specialty

cellular health antioxidant

{capsule} actual size

Visit www.vitaminshoppe.com or call 1-800-223-1216 for more information and to reorder.

FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Formulation

gluten free dairy free soy free nut free

Does not contain: Yeast, Corn, Wheat, Gluten, Sugar, Salt, Soy, Starch, Dairy, Citrus, Fish, Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors.

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule two to three times a day.

Precautions

WARNING: Consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have any medical conditions.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

TAMPER EVIDENT Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.

Storage

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE.

General

Item No. VS-2898 1957638 EP 52

See for yourself

L-Carnosine 500 mg by The Vitamin Shoppe 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 The Vitamin Shoppe

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.

L-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...

L-Carnosine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Carnosine 500 mg by The Vitamin Shoppe 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.

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
The maker

Brand information

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

The Vitamin Shoppe

See all The Vitamin Shoppe products
Name
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
City
Secaucus
State
NJ
ZipCode
07094
Phone Number
1-800-223-1216
Web Address
www.vitaminshoppe.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnosine 500 mg by The Vitamin Shoppe: Common Questions

Does L-Carnosine 500 mg by The Vitamin Shoppe 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 it's okay during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so the data advises against use during both times. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation before taking it.
Will L-carnosine help with my memory or cognitive decline?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say. For age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease, the research we hold is too limited to know if it works. For autism spectrum disorder, early studies suggest it probably won't help.
What side effects might I experience?
Most people tolerate it well in short studies, but some have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and rarely pneumonia. Long-term safety data are limited.
Does L-carnosine really lower blood sugar?
Some early clinical research suggests it might reduce fasting blood glucose, but not all studies show this effect. If you take diabetes medications, that's why you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What is L-carnosine and what does it do in the body?
L-carnosine is a compound your body naturally makes from amino acids. It's found in muscle tissue and other parts of your body, though we're still studying what its main roles are.

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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