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Dietary supplement

L-Lysine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sundown

Tablet Or Pill 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 Sundown 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 Sundown

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-Lysine, an amino acid your body uses to build and repair tissues. It comes in a tablet form with vegetable cellulose as an inactive ingredient (a binder and capsule material).

Each tablet delivers 500 mg of L-Lysine per dose.

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

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: essential amino acid to support balanced nutrition.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for L-Lysine is strongest for cold sores (herpes labialis), where it's rated possibly effective — meaning some clinical data support its use, but the evidence isn't conclusive. For other uses listed — child growth, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers — we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works.

If you're considering this supplement for cold sores, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist about what the research shows and whether it's right for your situation.

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 when taken by mouth are stomach upset, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

High doses may cause more stomach discomfort, and long-term safety at very high amounts hasn't been thoroughly studied. For pregnancy and breastfeeding: there isn't enough data to know whether supplement lysine is safe during pregnancy — food sources are fine, but check with your doctor before using a supplement.

There's also not enough reliable information on supplement use while breastfeeding, so caution is advised and it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

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 medication for stomach or bowel motility), check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product — lysine may reduce how well it works.

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. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

L-Lysine is an option if you're looking to manage cold sores, though the evidence is moderate. It's generally well tolerated but may cause stomach upset, especially at higher doses.

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

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 Jan 25, 2020.

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 Sundown
Barcode (UPC) 030768008307
Net contents 100 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2020
DSLD ID 212438
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 Sundown, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
030768008307
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Lysine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable 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.
Formulation

Clean Nutrition Sundown believes in clean nutrition and being transparent. That's why you won't find genetically modified ingredients, gluten, wheat, dairy, lactose or artificial flavors in any of our products. Non-GMO No gluten No wheat No milk No lactose No artificial color No artificial flavor No artificial sweetener No preservatives No sugar No soy No starch No yeast No peanuts No tree nuts No fish Sodium free

Essential amino acid to support balanced nutrition

Vegetarian

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

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

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, take 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.

General Statements

Made in the USA with select ingredients from around the world US Only Discard seal & empty before recycling Check locally Plastic bottle how2recycle.info Not recycled in all communities

Brand IP Statement(s)

2019

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, take (1) tablet two times daily, preferably on an empty stomach. As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

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-Lysine 500 mg by Sundown 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 Sundown

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill 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: Vegetable Cellulose, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Lysine 500 mg by Sundown 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.

Sundown

See all Sundown products
Name
Rexall Sundown, Inc.
City
Boca Raton
State
FL
ZipCode
33487
Phone Number
1-888-848-2435
Web Address
www.sundownnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Lysine 500 mg by Sundown: Common Questions

Does L-Lysine 500 mg by Sundown 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough data to know whether L-Lysine supplements are safe in pregnancy. Food sources of lysine are fine, but before taking a supplement, talk with your doctor so you can make the best choice for you and your pregnancy.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There's not enough reliable information on L-Lysine supplements during breastfeeding. It's worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist before you start.
Does L-Lysine work for cold sores?
L-Lysine is rated possibly effective for cold sores, meaning some clinical evidence supports it — but the evidence isn't definitive. Whether it's the right choice for you is something to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common side effects are stomach upset, diarrhea, and abdominal pain when taken by mouth. These are usually mild, but high doses may cause more discomfort.
Does this product have fillers?
This product contains vegetable cellulose as an inactive ingredient, which acts as a binder and capsule material. There are no other listed inactive ingredients.

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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