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Dietary supplement

L-Lysine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Woodstock Vitamins

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

L-Lysine is a dietary supplement by Woodstock Vitamins 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 Woodstock Vitamins

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.

Woodstock Vitamins L-Lysine is a single-ingredient supplement — just L-lysine, an amino acid your body needs. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients (HPMC, medium-chain triglyceride oil, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and silica), which are standard binders and fillers that help form and stabilize the supplement.

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 formation and skin, bone, tendon health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Pressure ulcers, Wound healing, Connective tissue integrity, Cartilage support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Lysine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Pressure ulcers (Natural Medicines).

L-Lysine is possibly effective for cold sores (herpes labialis) — the evidence suggests it may help, though it's not ironclad. For other uses listed — child growth, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers — we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works.

If you're thinking about it for cold sores, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether a trial makes sense for you.

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. Some people report stomach upset, diarrhea, or abdominal pain when they take it orally.

High amounts may cause more stomach trouble, and long-term safety at high doses hasn't been thoroughly studied. There's one rare case report of oral lysine linked to a serious kidney issue, though this is extremely uncommon.

If you're pregnant, supplement safety isn't well studied — lysine from food is fine, but check with your doctor before taking a supplement. If you're breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable data on safety, so caution is advised.

Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

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 digestive motility), check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this supplement — lysine may reduce its effectiveness. No other medication interactions are documented in our data for L-Lysine.

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 is a simple, single-ingredient supplement that may help with cold sores. It's generally well tolerated, though some people experience stomach upset.

If you take a 5-HT4 agonist or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting. For any other questions about how it fits into your routine, your doctor or pharmacist can help.

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 24, 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 Woodstock Vitamins
Barcode (UPC) 669439835968
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 24, 2020
DSLD ID 215889
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 by Woodstock Vitamins, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
45
UPC/BARCODE
669439835968
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Lysine1 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: HPMC, Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil, Stearic Acid, 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Preferably on an empty stomach, take one to two capsules three times a day, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use. Do not use if tamper seal is damaged.

Individuals taking medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare practitioner.

Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Formulation

L-Lysine is an amino acid essential in human physiology. Lysine is vital for normal growth and for the manufacture of collagen, a substance important for healthy skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage. Supplemental lysine may be appropriate for individuals on a high-arginine diet.

Does not contain: Wheat, gluten, corn, yeast, soy, animal or dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or artificial preservatives.

Manufactured in a GMP compliant facility.

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.

Storage

Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Formula

An essential amino acid

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Vegetarian Caps This package is completely recyclable

See for yourself

L-Lysine by Woodstock Vitamins label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Lysine by Woodstock Vitamins

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 container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Lysine

Interacts with
1 drug
1 Gram(s) 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: HPMC, Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Lysine by Woodstock Vitamins 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.

Woodstock Vitamins

See all Woodstock Vitamins products
Name
Village Vitality LLC
Street Address
79 Tinker Street Fl 2
City
Woodstock
State
NY
ZipCode
12498
Phone Number
(845) 521-7455
Web Address
www.WoodstockVitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Lysine by Woodstock Vitamins: Common Questions

Does L-Lysine by Woodstock Vitamins 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.
Does L-Lysine actually help with cold sores?
The evidence suggests it possibly does — research points to a benefit — but it's not a guarantee. If you're considering it for cold sores, your doctor or pharmacist can help you weigh whether to try it.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common issues are stomach upset, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, especially at higher doses. If these happen, dial back the amount or stop and check with your pharmacist.
Is it safe to take while pregnant?
Lysine from food is fine, but supplement safety in pregnancy hasn't been well studied. Check with your doctor first — they can weigh the pros and cons for your situation.
Is it safe to take while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable information on supplement safety while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can help you decide what's right for you and your baby.
How much should I take?
The facts on file don't specify a dose. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend the right amount based on what you're using it for and your health.

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

Not sure if L-Lysine 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 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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