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Dietary supplement

L-Carnosine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitamin World

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

L-Carnosine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Vitamin World 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 Vitamin World

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 supplement contains one active ingredient: L-carnosine, a compound your muscles and brain make naturally. It's a dipeptide (a small chain of two amino acids) and is sometimes used in supplement form to support age-related concerns, though the evidence for many of those uses isn't yet established.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and includes inactive ingredients — dicalcium phosphate, maltodextrin, vegetable magnesium stearate, and silica — that serve as binders and flow agents.

Does it work?

Insufficient 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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: cognitive and nervous system health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, Cognitive impairment, learning, brain function.
  • 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, Cognitive impairment.

The evidence for L-carnosine is mixed and mostly limited. For autism spectrum disorder, research suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and cognitive impairment, we don't hold enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. If you're considering it for one of those purposes, the data we have doesn't yet support a clear benefit.

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 use it cautiously if you plan to take it for a long time. Some people have reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, small weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in rare cases, pneumonia.

Don't use this supplement if you're pregnant or breastfeeding — there isn't enough safety information to know whether it's safe in those situations. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's appropriate for you.

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.

Before you start, check any antidiabetes drugs (blood sugar medications) you take with your doctor or pharmacist — carnosine might increase the risk of low blood sugar when taken together.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

L-Carnosine may be worth considering if you want to explore its potential for cognitive or age-related health, but the evidence for most uses isn't solid yet. The main concern is that it could lower your blood sugar if you take diabetes medications — that's a Moderate interaction you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you have no blood sugar medications and want to try it short-term, talk it over with your own healthcare provider.

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 Nov 25, 2011.

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 Vitamin World
Barcode (UPC) 766443123606
Net contents 30 Rapid Release Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 25, 2011
DSLD ID 2098
Product type Amino Acid/protein
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 Vitamin World, 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:
3 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
766443123606
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: For adults, take one (1) to three (3) capsules daily, preferably with meals.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

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.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

• Can Have a Positive Effect on the Brain’s Learning Process*

©2010 Vitamin World, Inc. B12360 03C

L-Carnosine, one of the most abundant water-soluble nitrogen compounds found in muscle, supports cognitive and nervous system health.* Carnosine can have a positive effect on the brain’s learning process.* In addition, L-Carnosine is also involved in the chelation of some heavy metals.*

This product has been developed, manufactured and packaged by Vitamin World. Our world-class facilities allow us to control exactly what goes into each product. It is your assurance that you are getting the highest quality and freshest products.You have our guarantee!

Get healthy.

Formulation

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.

Seals/Symbols

Quality Assured

General

PROD. #12360 B12360 03

See for yourself

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Vitamin World 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 Vitamin World

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: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Vitamin World 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.

Vitamin World

See all Vitamin World products
Phone Number
1-800-228-4533
Web Address
www.vitaminworld.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnosine 500 mg by Vitamin World: Common Questions

Does L-Carnosine 500 mg by Vitamin World 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 — there isn't enough safety information to know whether L-carnosine is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other options that may work for you.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones reported are decreased appetite, dry mouth, and small weight changes. Some people have also reported foot and joint pain. Pneumonia has been reported rarely. If you notice anything concerning, stop and check with your pharmacist.
Does L-carnosine actually work for anti-aging or brain health?
The evidence isn't clear yet. For autism spectrum disorder, research suggests it's probably not effective. For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, and other brain-related concerns, we don't have enough reliable data to say whether it helps.
I take insulin or another diabetes medication — is this safe?
Not without checking first. L-carnosine might lower your blood sugar, which combined with your medication could drop it too much. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you start — they may need to monitor you or adjust your doses.
How long can I take this safely?
Short-term use is generally well tolerated, but we don't have much data on long-term safety. If you plan to take it for weeks or months, discuss that plan with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

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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