No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

L-Ornithine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

L-Ornithine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for athletic performance and recovery, reducing fatigue, sleep and stress support.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Ornithine 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-Ornithine, an amino acid, at 500 mg per capsule. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate — which are standard binders and fillers.

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 Ornithine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy stress response and nitrogen elimination.
  • We looked for evidence on: Insomnia, Wound healing, Athletic recovery, Ammonia metabolism, Sleep quality.
  • The closest evidence on file: Ornithine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Insomnia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Ornithine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Wound healing.

L-Ornithine is possibly effective for athletic performance. The evidence for its use in dry skin, insomnia, and periodontitis (gum inflammation) is insufficient — we don't have enough reliable data to say whether it works for those purposes.

If you're considering it for one of those latter reasons, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the current evidence supports a trial.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Ornithine

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 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-Ornithine is generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied, so we don't know what happens if you take it for months or years. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding — there isn't enough information to know it's safe in those situations.

If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Ornithine

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented for L-Ornithine in our data. This doesn't guarantee none exist, so if you take regular medications or other supplements, check them against the search tool on this page before you start.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. No medication interactions are currently documented, and some safety-information gaps remain.

This supplement may be worth trying if you're an athlete looking to support performance, since the evidence leans toward possibly effective. If you're considering it for dry skin, insomnia, or gum health, the evidence is too thin to say whether it'll help.

Because long-term safety isn't well studied, this is best used short-term and under the guidance of your doctor or pharmacist — especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have other health concerns.

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-Ornithine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614112381
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308650
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)
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-Ornithine 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
087614112381
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Ornithine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, 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.
Formulation

Supports a healthy stress response Helps eliminate excess nitrogen Arginine precursor

Vegetarian

Stress Support Free form

General Statements

Science-backed quality since 1969

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule two times per day with water between meals.

Seals/Symbols

Vegetarian

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

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

Keep out of reach of children.

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-Ornithine 500 mg per capsule

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

L-Ornithine 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-Ornithine 500 mg by Swanson

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

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Ornithine

No known
interactions
500 mg per serving Form: L-Ornithine Hydrochloride

Ornithine is a non-essential amino acid your body makes naturally as part of the urea cycle, which helps remove ammonia. It is sold as a supplement fo...

L-Ornithine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Ornithine 500 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in L-Ornithine 500 mg. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

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

Does L-Ornithine 500 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in L-Ornithine 500 mg. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Ornithine 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 while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it — there isn't enough information to know it's safe during pregnancy or while nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Will L-Ornithine help my insomnia?
The evidence for insomnia is insufficient — we don't have enough reliable data to say whether it works. If you're interested in trying it, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Is L-Ornithine safe to take long-term?
It's generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking of taking it for weeks or months, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.
What is L-Ornithine used for?
It's an amino acid that may help athletic performance. Some use it for dry skin, insomnia, and gum health, but the evidence for those purposes is weak or absent.

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

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

The Full Monographs Behind L-Ornithine 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-Ornithine 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 1 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.

Ornithine 1 reference
  1. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Source

See these in context on the Ornithine 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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