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Dietary supplement

L-Lysine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by New Sun

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

L-Lysine is a dietary supplement by New Sun 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 by New Sun

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.

L-Lysine by New Sun contains one active ingredient: L-lysine, an amino acid your body uses to build protein. The capsules are made from vegetarian plant-based material and include magnesium stearate, a common inactive ingredient that helps with manufacturing.

L-lysine is found naturally in many foods — meat, cheese, beans, and nuts — and is available as a supplement in concentrated form.

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: essential amino acid for protein and collagen.
  • We looked for evidence on: Herpes labialis (cold sores), Genital herpes, Wound healing, Bone health.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lysine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Herpes labialis (cold sores) (Natural Medicines).

L-Lysine is possibly effective for cold sores (herpes labialis) based on available evidence. For other uses — supporting child growth, healing pressure ulcers, or diabetic foot ulcers — the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate whether it works.

That doesn't mean it's ineffective; it means more research is needed to know for sure.

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 with oral use are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion.

High amounts may cause stomach upset, and long-term safety hasn't been thoroughly studied. There is not enough reliable data on supplement use during pregnancy or breastfeeding — lysine from food is fine, but if you're pregnant or nursing and considering a supplement, talk with your doctor first.

There is one rare case report of kidney inflammation linked to oral lysine, though this is not a common occurrence.

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 used for certain bowel motility issues — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before adding L-Lysine, as it may reduce how well the medication works.

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

L-Lysine may help with cold sores, though the evidence is modest. If you take a 5-HT4 agonist medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

At typical doses it's generally well tolerated, though some people experience stomach upset, and safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn't been well studied — those situations warrant a conversation with your own healthcare provider.

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 Apr 23, 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, straight from the product label.

Brand New Sun
Barcode (UPC) 75-3
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 23, 2020
DSLD ID 217929
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-Lysine by New Sun, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
75-3
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Lysine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule, vegetarian Magnesium Stearate

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendation: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule with meals three times daily.

Precautions

Do not use if safety seal is missing or or broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or experiencing health issues, consult your doctor before use.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that must be obtained through the diet or through supplementation. L-Lysine is necessary for the production of all proteins in the body. It is required for the maintenance of the structural proteins collagen and elastin, which forms all connective tissue such as skin, tendon, and bone. L-Lysine is also a precursor to L-carnitine, which is needed for fat metabolism and energy production. In addition, L-Lysine may help to support a healthy immune system and proper cardiovascular function.

Amino acid

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

See for yourself

L-Lysine by New Sun label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Lysine by New Sun

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Lysine

Interacts with
1 drug
500 mg per serving

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: Vegetarian Capsule, Vegetarian Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Lysine by New Sun Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Lysine?

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 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, from the product label.

New Sun

See all New Sun products
Name
New Sun, Inc.
City
Hendersonville
State
NC
ZipCode
28792
Phone Number
(800) 544-0777
Web Address
mynewsun.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Lysine by New Sun: Common Questions

Does L-Lysine by New Sun interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Lysine 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 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?
It's possibly effective based on the evidence we have, which means some research supports it, but the proof isn't ironclad. Many people try it, and it may help reduce how often or how severe cold sores are, but results vary.
What's the most common side effect I might notice?
The most common ones with oral lysine are stomach upset — abdominal pain, diarrhea, or indigestion. These are usually mild, but if you have a sensitive stomach, start with a lower dose and see how you feel.
Can I take L-Lysine while I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough reliable data on supplement use during pregnancy. Lysine from food is fine, but if you're thinking about taking a supplement, check with your doctor first so they can give you personalized advice.
Is L-Lysine safe to use while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable information on supplement use while breastfeeding, so caution is advised. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
What exactly is L-Lysine and where does it come from?
L-Lysine is an amino acid — one of the building blocks your body uses to make protein. It's found naturally in foods like meat, cheese, beans, and nuts, and this supplement is a concentrated form of that same nutrient.

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

Not sure if L-Lysine is safe with your meds?

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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 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

L-Lysine'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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