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Dietary supplement

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sunmark

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

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Sunmark 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 Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark

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 proteins. Each tablet delivers 500 mg of L-lysine in the form of L-lysine monohydrochloride.

The other ingredients are inactive — cellulose, polyethylene glycol, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, and silicon dioxide — which help form and stabilize the tablet.

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: clear, healthy lips and mouth tissue.
  • We looked for evidence on: Herpes labialis (cold sores), Canker sores, oral health, lip health.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lysine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Herpes labialis (cold sores) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lysine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Canker sores.

L-lysine is possibly effective for cold sores (herpes labialis). The evidence isn't strong enough yet to rate it for child growth, pressure ulcers, or diabetic foot ulcers — we don't have reliable data on whether it helps with those.

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 normal doses. At high amounts, it may cause stomach upset, and long-term safety hasn't been thoroughly studied.

The most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion. There's one case report of kidney problems linked to oral lysine, though this is rare.

Lysine from food is fine during pregnancy, but we don't have enough research on supplement safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking L-lysine if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 digestive medication), check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting 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 some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

L-lysine is worth considering if you get frequent cold sores and want a possibly effective option. If you take medications for digestive issues (5-HT4 agonists), check with your doctor or pharmacist first — this supplement might interfere with how they work.

At typical doses it's well tolerated, but don't use very high amounts without guidance.

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 26, 2012.

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 Natural L-Lysine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Sunmark
Barcode (UPC) 010939377333
Net contents 100 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 26, 2012
DSLD ID 7740
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark, 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
010939377333
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Lysine500 mg--

Other ingredients: L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Magnesium Stearate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silicon Dioxide

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.
General Statements

49348-053-10

PRODUCT BENEFIT Clear, healthy lips and mouth tissue*

USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency, and manufacturing process. USP sets official standards for dietary supplements. See www.uspverified.org

Healthy lips and mouth tissue may be affected by sun exposure, trauma, emotional anxiety, and high body temperature. Lysine, an amino acid, may be helpful in maintaining healthy lips and mouth tissue.* Lysine also helps calcium absorption, helps collagen and tissue renewal, and aids in the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes.*

Money Back Guarantee

FRESHNESS AND POTENCY GUARANTEED THROUGH:

Formulation

NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED NO LACTOSE NO ARTIFICIAL COLOR OR FLAVOR NO GLUTEN

Seals/Symbols

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT USP VERIFIED(TM)

McKESSON Empowering Healthcare

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Take one tablet one to three times daily with a full glass of water, preferably after a meal.

Precautions

If pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your healthcare professional before taking this product.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Keep in a cool dry place, tightly closed.

General

SUN4410A06

See for yourself

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark

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

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: L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Magnesium Stearate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Natural 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 Natural 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 Natural L-Lysine 500 mg, from the product label.

Sunmark

See all Sunmark products
Name
McKesson
Street Address
One Post Street
City
San Francisco
State
CA
ZipCode
94104
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark: Common Questions

Does Natural L-Lysine 500 mg by Sunmark interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Natural 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?
Natural 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.
Does L-lysine really help with cold sores?
The evidence says it's possibly effective — meaning some research supports it, but we're not certain yet. If you get cold sores regularly, it's reasonable to try, but talk with your pharmacist about what results to expect.
What are the most common side effects?
At typical doses, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion are the main ones people report. If you take very high amounts or use it long-term, keep an eye out for stomach upset.
Is it safe to take L-lysine if I'm pregnant?
Lysine from food is fine, but we don't have enough research on supplement safety during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor before taking this supplement if you're pregnant.
Can I take L-lysine while breastfeeding?
We don't have reliable information on how safe this supplement is while breastfeeding. Caution is advised — check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Why is there so much other stuff in the tablet besides L-lysine?
Those are inactive ingredients — cellulose, polyethylene glycol, magnesium stearate, and a few others. They help hold the tablet together and keep it stable on the shelf; they're not active medicine.

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

Not sure if Natural 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.

Natural L-Lysine 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Natural 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

Natural 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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