Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

L-Glutamine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

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

L-Glutamine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for muscle recovery and sports performance, gut health and 'leaky gut', recovery from severe illness or injury.Based on those ingredients, 50 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Glutamine FCC. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine FCC, 500 mg per capsule. L-Glutamine is an amino acid — one of the building blocks your body uses to make proteins and neurotransmitters.

The inactive ingredients are gelatin (capsule material), rice flour, magnesium stearate, and silica.

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: muscle growth, recovery, and cognitive function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Exercise-induced muscle damage, Athletic performance, Postoperative recovery, Wound healing, Critical illness (trauma), muscle protein synthesis — and 2 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Critical illness (trauma) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Postoperative recovery.
  • Also on file: Glutamine is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance.

L-Glutamine is rated Effective for sickle cell disease. It's rated Possibly Effective for HIV/AIDS-related wasting, postoperative recovery, and critical illness from trauma.

The evidence supporting these uses varies; for sickle cell disease the data is stronger, while for the others the evidence is still being built.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Glutamine

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-Glutamine is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. The most common side effects from oral doses are belching, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal pain.

Headache and musculoskeletal pain have also been reported. A small number of patients with bipolar disorder taking high doses (up to 4 grams daily) developed mania or hypomania, so people with bipolar disorder should use this supplement only under their doctor's guidance.

People with kidney or liver disease should use L-Glutamine only under medical supervision. There isn't enough safety data to know whether supplemental doses are safe during pregnancy, and too little information exists for breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Glutamine

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 — Glutamine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: seizure medications.
  • For scale: 50 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 L-Glutamine, make sure to discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist if you take anticonvulsant medications (drugs that prevent seizures). The interaction is Moderate in severity and not yet confirmed in humans, but it's important to rule out any risk to your seizure control.

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.

L-Glutamine is most established for sickle cell disease and has some evidence in recovery and wasting conditions. If you take anticonvulsant (seizure) medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the interaction is theoretical but documented.

Healthy adults generally tolerate it well, though GI side effects like bloating and constipation do occur.

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 Mar 22, 2024.

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-Glutamine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614018263
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308643
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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-Glutamine 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
100
UPC/BARCODE
087614018263
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Glutamine FCC500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, 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.
Formulation

Supports muscle growth and recovery Helps maintain healthy memory and cognitive function Provides fuel for workouts

Muscle health and recovery

Brand IP Statement(s)

Swanson Science-backed quality since 1969

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule one to two times per day with water on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

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

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

L-Glutamine 500 mg per capsule

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine 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 container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Glutamine FCC

Interacts with
50 drugs
500 mg per serving

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is usually made in your muscles. A prescription form is FDA-approved to help reduce sickle c...

L-Glutamine FCC monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Glutamine 500 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Glutamine 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
50Drugs
50 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine FCC1 drug type · 50 drugs

Anticonvulsants

Theoretically, glutamine might antagonize the effects of anticonvulsant medications.
Glutamine is metabolized to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate might have antagonistic effects with anticonvulsant drugs. However, this interaction has not yet been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine 500 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does L-Glutamine 500 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Glutamine 500 mg has a known interaction with 50 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Glutamine 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.
What is L-Glutamine used for?
L-Glutamine is an amino acid that plays a role in immune function, gut health, and muscle metabolism. This product is supported by evidence for sickle cell disease, and there is some evidence it may help with recovery after surgery, certain types of wasting related to HIV/AIDS, and critical illness.
Can I take L-Glutamine if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
L-Glutamine is rated Likely Safe during pregnancy. However, there isn't enough reliable safety data for supplemental doses while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether supplemental L-Glutamine is right for you in either situation.
What side effects does L-Glutamine cause?
The most common side effects are GI-related: bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Headache and musculoskeletal pain have also been reported. Most people tolerate it well, and side effects are often mild.
Is L-Glutamine safe if I have kidney or liver disease?
If you have kidney or liver disease, you should use L-Glutamine only under medical supervision. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Can L-Glutamine affect my seizure medication?
L-Glutamine is converted into a brain chemical that theoretically might reduce how well anticonvulsant drugs work, though this hasn't been confirmed in patients yet. If you take seizure medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement.

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

Not sure if L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind L-Glutamine 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-Glutamine 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 11 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.

Glutamine 11 references
  1. Miller AL. Therapeutic considerations of L-glutamine: a review of the literature. Altern Med Rev 1999;4:239-48..
  2. Bozzetti F, Biganzoli L, Gavazzi C, et al. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a double-blind randomized study. Nutrition 1997;13:748-51.. PubMed
  3. Mebane AH. L-Glutamine and mania. Am J Psychiatry 984;141:1302-3.
  4. Meldrum BS. Glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the brain: review of physiology and pathology. J Nutr 2000;130:1007S-15S.. PubMed
  5. Garlick PJ. Assessment of the safety of glutamine and other amino acids. J Nutr 2001;131:2556S-61S.. PubMed
  6. Chapman AG. Glutamate and epilepsy. J Nutr 2000;130:1043S-5S.. PubMed
  7. Ziegler TR. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplantation and high dose chemotherapy. J Nutr 2001;131:2578S-84S.. PubMed
  8. Laviano A, Molfino A, Lacaria MT, Canelli A, De Leo S, Preziosa I, Rossi Fanelli F. Glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in nondieting obese female patients. A pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Nov;68(11):1264-6. PubMed
  9. Endari (l-glutamine) [package insert]. Torrance, CA: Emmaus Medical,Inc; 2017.
  10. Niihara Y, Miller ST, Kanter J, et al. A Phase 3 Trial of l-Glutamine in Sickle Cell Disease. N Engl J Med 2018;379(3):226-35. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1715971.
  11. Ogden HB, Child RB, Fallowfield JL, et al. Gastrointestinal Tolerance of Low, Medium and High Dose Acute Oral l-Glutamine Supplementation in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):2953. PubMed

See these in context on the Glutamine 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

Keep exploring