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Dietary supplement

L-Carnosine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Pure Encapsulations

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

L-Carnosine is a dietary supplement by Pure Encapsulations 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 by Pure Encapsulations

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 dipeptide (a small protein made of two amino acids) found naturally in muscle and brain tissue. The capsule itself is made from cellulose and water — these are inert inactive ingredients that help deliver the carnosine.

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

This is a single-ingredient Carnosine product and its label doesn't state a use — see Carnosine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for carnosine's effectiveness is mixed and limited. It's rated possibly ineffective for autism spectrum disorder.

For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, athletic performance, cataracts, and general cognitive impairment, there simply isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to rate whether it works or doesn't. If you're considering this for one of those conditions, talk it over 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 data on long-term safety, so use caution if you're planning to take it for months or longer. A small number of trial participants reported decreased appetite, dry mouth, modest weight changes, foot and joint pain, and in one case pneumonia — though it's not always clear whether carnosine caused these or they occurred by chance.

The safety data advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

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 any antidiabetes medication — insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or any other blood sugar-lowering drug — check your exact medications with the tool on this page before taking carnosine. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise whether it's safe for you to combine.

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 is a single-ingredient supplement that's generally well tolerated in short-term use but has limited long-term safety data. The main medical concern is a potential increase in low blood sugar risk if you take antidiabetes medication.

If that applies to you, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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 18, 2023.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand Pure Encapsulations
Barcode (UPC) 766298005249
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 18, 2023
DSLD ID 295519
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
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 by Pure Encapsulations, 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
120
UPC/BARCODE
766298005249
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnosine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Water

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.
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendations: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule, 1-3 times daily, between meals.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant or lactating, have any health condition or are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity. Scan to learn about our hypoallergenic supplements

Seals/Symbols

GFCO.org (Gluten-Free Certification Organization)

Formulation

Certified Gluten Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, www.gluten.org

Versatile antioxidant support for cellular health and longevity

Gluten-free, Non-GMO & Hypoallergenic

Gluten-free, Non-GMO & Hypoallergenic

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

L-Carnosine by Pure Encapsulations label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Carnosine by Pure Encapsulations

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 container120 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: Cellulose, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Carnosine by Pure Encapsulations Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Carnosine?

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 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, from the product label.

Pure Encapsulations

See all Pure Encapsulations products
Name
Pure Encapsulations
Street Address
490 Boston Post Road
City
Sudbury
State
MA
Phone Number
1-800-753-2277
Web Address
www.PureEncapsulations.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnosine by Pure Encapsulations: Common Questions

Does L-Carnosine by Pure Encapsulations interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Carnosine 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 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 have diabetes?
Not without checking first. Carnosine might lower blood sugar, and if you're already on antidiabetes medication, that could push your blood sugar too low. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications and whether carnosine is okay for you.
What side effects should I watch for?
Most people who've tried it reported no problems, but some experienced decreased appetite, dry mouth, weight changes, foot or joint pain, or in rare cases, pneumonia. Stop taking it and tell your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your situation before taking it.
Does L-carnosine actually improve memory or slow cognitive decline?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say. There's insufficient reliable data on age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease, so we can't rate whether it works for those. If that's why you're interested, your doctor can discuss what the research actually shows.
What does L-carnosine do in the body?
L-carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide found in muscle and brain tissue. Researchers are still studying what roles it plays, but the evidence for specific health benefits remains limited so far.

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

Not sure if L-Carnosine 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 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

L-Carnosine'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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