Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

L-Phenylalanine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Best Naturals

Tablet Or Pill Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

L-Phenylalanine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Best Naturals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for depression and mood, skin condition vitiligo, pain conditions.Based on those ingredients, 16 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Phenylalanine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals

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-phenylalanine, an amino acid at 500 mg per tablet. It also includes several inactive ingredients — dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and pharmaceutical glaze — which are fillers, binders, and coating materials 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 Phenylalanine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: precursor for neurotransmitters and hormones.
  • We looked for evidence on: Depression, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson disease, mood, cognitive function, neurotransmitter synthesis.
  • The closest evidence on file: Phenylalanine is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Phenylalanine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Depression, Parkinson disease.

The evidence for L-phenylalanine is mixed and incomplete. It's rated possibly effective for vitiligo (a skin condition causing loss of pigment).

For ADHD, the data suggests it's possibly ineffective. For alcohol use disorder and multiple sclerosis, there isn't enough reliable evidence to know whether it works.

If you're considering it for any of these conditions, talk it over with your doctor about what the current evidence shows and whether it's right for you.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Phenylalanine

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-phenylalanine in typical doses is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects reported are anxiety, constipation, headache, heartburn, insomnia, nausea, and sedation.

One important caution: do not take this supplement if you have PKU (phenylketonuria), a genetic condition that prevents your body from processing phenylalanine safely. Avoid supplement doses during pregnancy — safety hasn't been established — and while breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Phenylalanine

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Phenylalanine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 16 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.

Before you take this, double-check if you're on levodopa (Major interaction — phenylalanine can reduce how well it works for Parkinson disease symptoms). Also ask your pharmacist if you take baclofen or any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (both Moderate interactions).

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether it's safe to combine this with your medications.

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. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

L-phenylalanine may help with vitiligo, but the evidence for other uses is thin or unclear. The biggest concern is its interaction with levodopa and other medications.

If you take any prescription drugs — especially for Parkinson disease, muscle spasticity, or depression — check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement. And if you have PKU, this product isn't for you.

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 Feb 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-Phenylalanine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Best Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 817716014227
Net contents 90 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 22, 2024
DSLD ID 306005
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
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-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals, 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)
Servings per container
180
UPC/BARCODE
817716014227
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Phenylalanine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Pharmaceutical Glaze

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

L-Phenylalanine, an essential amino acid, is a precursor of the amino acid tyrosine and a whole series of neurotransmitters and hormones. Because tyrosine is necessary for the synthesis of proteins and production of the nuerotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, L-Phenylalanine is also a direct precursor of PEA (phenylethylamine), another important neurotransmitter. Phenylalanine is an extremely important nutrient that must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Certain research publications indicate that L-Phenylalanine may help support the following: Supports nervous system Supports positive mood Supports an alert state

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) tablet one to three times daily as needed, preferably between meals.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Keep 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.

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Product

Formulation

Premium formula 3rd party lab tested

No artificial color, flavor or sweetener, no preservatives, no sugar, no starch, no corn, no soym, no egg, no milk, no lactose, no gluten, no wheat, no yeast, no fish. Sodium free.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

For additional information call: 1-877-659-5004

See for yourself

L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals

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 Servings per container180 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Phenylalanine

Interacts with
16 drugs
500 mg per serving

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid the body uses to make brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. Some people take it for mood, vitilig...

L-Phenylalanine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Pharmaceutical Glaze. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Phenylalanine 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
16Drugs
5 Major 11 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Phenylalanine 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-Phenylalanine3 drug types · 16 drugs

Levodopa

Phenylalanine, especially in high doses, can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa.
Phenylalanine competes with levodopa for carrier-mediated transport into the brain. The resulting reduction in levels of levodopa in the brain can exacerbate tremor, rigidity, and the "on-off" phenomenon in patients with Parkinson disease.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Baclofen

Concomitant intake of phenylalanine may reduce the intestinal absorption of baclofen.
Phenylalanine and baclofen share the same intestinal carrier for absorption; phenylalanine competitively inhibits the absorption of baclofen, reducing its plasma levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, concomitant use of L-phenylalanine and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
L-phenylalanine is metabolized to tyrosine. Some evidence suggests that L-phenylalanine, given with the non-selective MAOI pargyline, might prevent the elimination of tyramine, increasing the risk of hypertensive crisis. However, this was not reported in a small number of patients when using L-phenylalanine with the partially selective MAO-B inhibitor, selegiline.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Best Naturals

See all Best Naturals products
Name
Best Naturals
Street Address
PO Box 394
City
Kenilworth
State
NJ
ZipCode
07033
Phone Number
1-877-659-6004
Web Address
www.shopbestnaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals: Common Questions

Does L-Phenylalanine 500 mg by Best Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Phenylalanine 500 mg has a known interaction with 16 medications, including 5 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Phenylalanine 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 L-phenylalanine if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Avoid supplement doses of L-phenylalanine during pregnancy — safety hasn't been established. Also avoid it while breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. If you're considering this supplement and are pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What are the most common side effects?
The most reported side effects in typical doses are anxiety, constipation, headache, heartburn, insomnia, nausea, and sedation. Most people tolerate it well, but if you notice any of these, let your pharmacist or doctor know.
Who should not take this product?
Anyone with PKU (phenylketonuria) should not take L-phenylalanine supplements — it's unsafe for people with this genetic condition. If you're not sure whether you have PKU or any other condition that might make this risky for you, ask your doctor first.
Does L-phenylalanine actually work for ADHD?
The evidence suggests L-phenylalanine is possibly ineffective for ADHD. If you're looking for a supplement or treatment for attention problems, talk with your doctor about options with stronger evidence behind them.
What is L-phenylalanine used for?
L-phenylalanine is an amino acid your body uses to make proteins and certain brain chemicals. This supplement is rated possibly effective for vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of color. For other uses like alcohol use disorder and multiple sclerosis, there isn't enough reliable evidence yet.

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

Not sure if L-Phenylalanine 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-Phenylalanine 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

L-Phenylalanine 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 23 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.

Phenylalanine 23 references
  1. Rouse B, Azen C, Koch R, et al. Maternal phenylketonuria collaborative Study (MPKUCS) offspring: facial anomalies, malformations, and early neurological sequelae. Am J Med Genet 1997;69:89-95. DOI
  2. Sturtevant FM. Use of aspartame in pregnancy. Int J Fertil 1985;30:85-7.
  3. Silkaitis RP, Mosnaim AD. Pathways linking L-phenylalanine and 2-phenylethylamine with p-tyramine in rabbit brain. Brain Res 1976;114:105-15.
  4. Lehmann WD, Theobald N, Fischer R, Heinrich HC. Stereospecificity of phenylalanine plasma kinetics and hydroxylation in man following oral application of a stable isotope-labelled pseudo-racemic mixture of L- and D-phenylalanine. Clin Chim Acta 1983;128 PubMed
  5. Mosnik DM, Spring B, Rogers K, Baruah S. Tardive dyskinesia exacerbated after ingestion of phenylalanine by schizophrenic patients. Neuropsychopharmacology 1997;16:136-46. PubMed
  6. Siddiqui AH, Stolk LM, Bhaggoe R, et al. L-phenylalanine and UVA irradiation in the treatment of vitiligo. Dermatology 1994;88:215-8. PubMed
  7. Birkmayer W, Riederer P, Linauer W, Knoll J. L-deprenyl plus L-phenylalanine in the treatment of depression. J Neural Transm 1984;59:81-7. PubMed
  8. Nutt JG, Woodward WR, Hammerstad JP, et al. The "on-off" phenomenon in Parkinson's disease. Relation to levodopa absorption and transport. N Engl J Med 1984;310:483-8. PubMed
  9. Baruzzi A, Contin M, Riva R, et al. Influence of meal ingestion time on pharmacokinetics of orally administered levodopa in parkinsonian patients. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987;10:527-37. PubMed
  10. Juncos JL, Fabbrini G, Mouradian MM, et al. Dietary influences on the antiparkinsonian response to levodopa. Arch Neurol 1987;44:1003-5. PubMed
  11. Eriksson T, Granerus AK, Linde A, et al. "On-off" phenomenon in Parkinson's disease: relationship between dopa and other large neutral amino acids in plasma. Neurology 1988;38:1245-8. PubMed
  12. Baker GB, Bornstein RA, Rouget AC, et al. Phenylethylaminergic mechanisms in attention-deficit disorder. Biol Psychiatry 1991;29:15-22.. PubMed
  13. Wood DR, Reimherr FW, Wender PH. Treatment of attention deficit disorder with DL-phenylalanine. Psychiatry Res 1985;16:21-6.. PubMed
  14. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002. Available at: http://www.n
  15. Cederbaum S. Phenylketonuria: an update. Curr Opin Pediatr 2002;14:702-6. PubMed
  16. Cejudo-Ferragud, E., Nacher, A., Polache, A., Cercos-Fortea, T., Merino, M., and Casabo, V. G. Evidence of competitive inhibition for the intestinal absorption of baclofen by phenylalanine. Int J of Pharm (Amsterdam) 1996;132:63-69. DOI
  17. Fischer, E., Heller, B., Nachon, M., and Spatz, H. Therapy of depression by phenylalanine. Preliminary note. Arzneimittelforschung. 1975;25(1):132.
  18. Beckmann, H., Strauss, M. A., and Ludolph, E. Dl-phenylalanine in depressed patients: an open study. J.Neural Transm. 1977;41(2-3):123-134. PubMed
  19. Sabelli, H. C., Fawcett, J., Gusovsky, F., Javaid, J. I., Wynn, P., Edwards, J., Jeffriess, H., and Kravitz, H. Clinical studies on the phenylethylamine hypothesis of affective disorder: urine and blood phenylacetic acid and phenylalanine dietary supplem
  20. Cotzias, G. C., Van Woert, M. H., and Schiffer, L. M. Aromatic amino acids and modification of parkinsonism. N Engl.J Med 2-16-1967;276(7):374-379. PubMed
  21. Kravitz, H. M., Sabelli, H. C., and Fawcett, J. Dietary supplements of phenylalanine and other amino acid precursors of brain neuroamines in the treatment of depressive disorders. J Am Osteopath.Assoc 1984;84(1 Suppl):119-123. DOI
  22. Mann, J., Peselow, E. D., Snyderman, S., and Gershon, S. D-phenylalanine in endogenous depression. Am.J.Psychiatry 1980;137(12):1611-1612. PubMed
  23. Katoulis AC, Alevizou A, Bozi E, et al. A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines. Clin Exp Dermatol 2010;35(5):473-6. PubMed

See these in context on the Phenylalanine 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

Keep exploring