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Dietary supplement

L-Lysine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Rexall

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Minor
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

L-Lysine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Rexall with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for cold sores (herpes labialis), genital herpes outbreaks, supporting protein and collagen formation.Based on those ingredients, 1 medication has a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Lysine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall

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 a single active ingredient: L-lysine, an amino acid your body uses to build and repair proteins. The inactive ingredients are cellulose (a plant-based binder) and small amounts of other excipients that help form and preserve the tablet.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Lysine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: collagen and tissue maintenance.
  • We looked for evidence on: Pressure ulcers, wound healing, skin integrity.
  • The closest evidence on file: Lysine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Pressure ulcers (Natural Medicines).

L-lysine is possibly effective for herpes labialis, also called cold sores. The evidence comes from clinical trials, though more research would help confirm how well it works and at what dose.

For other uses listed in the research — child growth, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers — there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lysine

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-lysine is generally well tolerated at typical doses. The most common side effects reported in studies are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion.

At high doses, stomach upset is more likely, and long-term safety at high amounts hasn't been well studied. During pregnancy, lysine from food is fine, but supplement safety hasn't been well studied — talk with your doctor before taking it.

For breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable information to know either way, so caution is advised and a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist is a good idea.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lysine

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Lysine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 1 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 a 5-HT4 agonist (a serotonin receptor medication, usually for gut or motility issues), check your specific medication with your doctor or pharmacist before adding lysine — it may reduce the drug's effect.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

L-lysine may help with cold sores and is generally well tolerated at normal doses. Watch for stomach upset, especially if you take higher amounts.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take a 5-HT4 agonist, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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 Oct 23, 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-Lysine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Rexall
Barcode (UPC) 301220455237
Net contents 60 Caplet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2019
DSLD ID 207110
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall, 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 Caplet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Caplet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
301220455237
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Lysine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Contains <2% of

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.
Formula

Important facts you should know Lysine is an essential Amino Acid that cannot be made by the body. Amino Acids perform a variety of functions and form the basis for Protein. Lysine is also used for the health and integrity of the skin and lips.

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.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

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

As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

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

Storage

Store at room temperature and avoid excessive heat.

Brand IP Statement(s)

2017

Since 1903 Rexall is a registered trademark of Rexall Sundown, Inc.

General Statements

Since 1903 Collagen and tissue maintenance

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Satisfaction 100% Guaranteed

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, take one (1) caplet two times daily, preferably on an empty stomach.

Formulation

No gluten, no yeast, no wheat, no milk or milk derivatives, no lactose, no sugar, no preservatives, no soy, no artificial color, no artificial flavor, no sodium.

See for yourself

L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall

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

Serving size1 Caplet(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Lysine

Interacts with
1 drug
500 mg per serving Form: L-Lysine Hydrochloride

Lysine is an essential amino acid your body cannot make on its own, so it must come from food or supplements. People most often take extra lysine to t...

L-Lysine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Lysine 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
1Drugs
1 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Lysine 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-Lysine1 drug type · 1 drug

5-Ht4 Agonists

Theoretically, lysine may reduce the effects of 5-HT4 agonists.
Animal research suggests that L-lysine is a partial serotonin receptor 4 (5-HT4) antagonist and inhibits diarrhea induced by the 5-HT4 agonist, 5-hydroxytryptophane.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Rexall

See all Rexall products
Name
Dolgencorp, LLC
Street Address
100 Mission Ridge
City
Goodlettsville
State
TN
ZipCode
37072
Phone Number
1-866-473-9255
Web Address
Rexall.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall: Common Questions

Does L-Lysine 500 mg by Rexall interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Lysine 500 mg has a known interaction with 1 medication. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Lysine 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.
Will L-lysine actually help my cold sores?
Research shows L-lysine is possibly effective for cold sores, which means studies support its use but more evidence would help confirm how well it works. It's a reasonable option to try, though results vary from person to person.
What's the most common side effect?
Stomach upset — including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion — is the most common adverse effect reported. It's usually mild, but it's more likely at higher doses.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy?
Lysine from food is fine, but supplement safety during pregnancy hasn't been well studied. Talk with your doctor first to decide whether it's right for you.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable information to know whether supplement lysine is safe while breastfeeding. A conversation with your doctor or pharmacist will help you decide.
What is L-lysine and what does it do in my body?
L-lysine is an amino acid — a building block your body uses to make and repair proteins. It's essential for normal body function and immune health.

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

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

The Full Monographs Behind L-Lysine 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-Lysine 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 7 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.

Lysine 7 references
  1. Thein DJ, Hurt WC. Lysine as a prophylactic agent in the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1984;58:659-66. PubMed
  2. McCune MA, Perry HO, Muller SA, O'Fallon WM. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex infections with L-lysine monohydrochloride. Cutis 1984;34:366-73.
  3. DiGiovanna JJ, Blank H. Failure of lysine in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Arch Dermatol 1984;120:48-51. DOI
  4. Milman N, Scheibel J, Jessen O. Lysine prophylaxis in recurrent herpes simplex labialis: a double-blind, controlled crossover study. Acta Derm Venereol 1980;60:85-7.
  5. Griffith RS, Walsh DE, Myrmel KH, et al. Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Dermatologica 1987;175:183-90. DOI
  6. Lo JC, Chertow GM, Rennke H, Seifter JL. Fanconi's syndrome and tubulointerstitial nephritis in association with L-lysine ingestion. Am J Kidney Dis 1996;28:614-7. PubMed
  7. Smriga M, Torii K. L-Lysine acts like a partial serotonin receptor 4 antagonist and inhibits serotonin-mediated intestinal pathologies and anxiety in rats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Dec 23;100(26):15370-5.

See these in context on the Lysine 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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