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Dietary supplement

L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

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

L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for exercise performance, muscle soreness and fatigue, blood flow and circulation.Based on those ingredients, 178 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Citrulline. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade 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-citrulline, an amino acid your body can convert to another amino acid called L-arginine. That conversion is what produces most of its effects in the body.

The capsule itself is made up of hypromellose, rice extract, and rice concentrate, which are inactive fillers and binding materials.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promotes nitric oxide production and blood circulation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Erectile dysfunction (ED), Heart failure, Muscle strength, Pulmonary hypertension — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: L-citrulline is rated "Possibly Effective" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: L-citrulline is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Heart failure, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Postoperative pulmonary hypertension, and more.

L-citrulline is possibly effective for athletic performance — evidence suggests it may support exercise capacity and endurance. For sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), the evidence leans toward possibly ineffective.

For heart failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Reye syndrome, there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to say whether it works or doesn't.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient L-citrulline

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-citrulline is generally well tolerated in healthy adults, though long-term safety studies are limited. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — you might notice stomach discomfort, heartburn, or general digestive unease.

A small number of people in one trial reported cough. Because there isn't enough safety data during pregnancy or breastfeeding, the evidence advises against supplemental use in both situations — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this is right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient L-citrulline

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 — L-citrulline.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 178 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 blood pressure medications and any erectile dysfunction drugs (like sildenafil or tadalafil) with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product — both can combine with L-citrulline to lower blood pressure more than intended (Moderate severity in both cases). No other medication interactions are documented for the ingredient we checked.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

If you're an athlete looking to support endurance, L-citrulline may be worth trying — the evidence is encouraging enough. If you take blood pressure medication or drugs for erectile dysfunction, you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first; the combination could cause your blood pressure to drop too far.

Stick with your own healthcare provider before starting this one.

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 Feb 25, 2019.

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-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614028972
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 191003
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-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614028972
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Citrulline850 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice extract, Rice concentrate

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

Promotes nitric oxide production Maintains healthy blood circulation Promotes energy production Science-Backed Quality Since 1969

Cardiovascular Health and Energy

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

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

Brand IP Statement(s)

Kyowa Quality and/or the Kyowa Quality logo are trademarks of Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. KQ Kyowa Quality

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General

SWU897 Rev 0 06 11 18

See for yourself

L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade by Swanson

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

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

L-Citrulline

Interacts with
178 drugs
850 mg per serving

L-citrulline is an amino acid that the body turns into L-arginine to help make nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and may improve blood flow. I...

L-Citrulline monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice extract, Rice concentrate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade?

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.

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178Drugs
178 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade 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-Citrulline2 drug types · 178 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of L-citrulline with antihypertensive drugs might have additive effects and increase the chance of hypotension.
L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine, which can increase nitric oxide and cause vasodilation. However, a meta-analysis of 5 small clinical studies suggests that taking L-citrulline 3-6 grams daily for 1-8 weeks does not lower blood pressure when compared with control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors

Theoretically, concurrent use of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and L-citrulline might result in additive vasodilation.
L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine, which can increase nitric oxide and cause vasodilation. Theoretically, taking L-arginine with PDE-5 inhibitors might have additive vasodilatory and hypotensive effects. However, in studies evaluating the combined use of L-arginine and sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, hypotension was not reported.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade, 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-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade by Swanson: Common Questions

Does L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade has a known interaction with 178 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade 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?
There isn't enough safety data for L-citrulline during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the evidence advises against it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice about whether this product is right for you.
What side effects should I expect?
Most people tolerate L-citrulline well. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — heartburn, stomach discomfort, and general digestive upset. These are usually mild.
Will this help my athletic performance?
L-citrulline is possibly effective for athletic performance, so the evidence suggests it may support exercise capacity. How much it helps varies from person to person.
Can this help with heart failure or cardiovascular disease?
There isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to say whether L-citrulline works for heart failure or cardiovascular disease. Talk with your doctor if you're considering it for either condition.
How long can I safely take this supplement?
L-citrulline is generally well tolerated in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been fully studied. It's a good idea to check in with your doctor or pharmacist about how long you plan to use it.

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

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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-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind L-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade’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-Citrulline 850 mg Pharmaceutical Grade'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 8 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.

L-citrulline 8 references
  1. Cheng JW, Balwin SN. L-arginine in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Ann Pharmacother 2001;35:755-64. PubMed
  2. Schwedhelm E, Maas R, Freese R, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2008;65:51-9. PubMed
  3. Romero MJ, Platt DH, Caldwell RB, Caldwell RW. Therapeutic use of citrulline in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Drug Rev 2006;24:275-90. PubMed
  4. Balderas-Munoz K, Castillo-Martínez L, Orea-Tejeda A, et al. Improvement of ventricular function in systolic heart failure patients with oral L-citrulline supplementation. Cardiol J 2012;19:612-7. PubMed
  5. Sharif Kashani B, Tahmaseb Pour P, Malekmohammad M, et al. Oral l-citrulline malate in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and Eisenmenger Syndrome: a clinical trial. J Cardiol 2014;64:231-5. PubMed
  6. Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PM. Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res 2010;24:1215-22. PubMed
  7. Mirenayat MS, Moradi S, Mohammadi H, Rouhani MH. Effect of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2018;20(11):98. PubMed
  8. Xu Z, Liu C, Liu S, Zhou Z. Comparison of efficacy and safety of daily oral L-arginine and PDE5Is alone or combination in treating erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Andrologia. 2021:e14007. PubMed

See these in context on the L-citrulline 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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