Lysine is an essential amino acid. Essential means that it is not produced by the body and
therefore it must be taken in either by diet or by taking supplements. Lysine is found in foods
such as yogurt, fish, cheese, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, pork, and other meats.
Lysine has been used to treat or prevent herpes infections (genital herpes and cold sores)
and canker sores. It has also been used to treat symptoms of Bell's palsy, and to improve
calcium use in the body.
Lysine has not been approved by the FDA to treat any disease, and it should not be
substituted for prescription medications.
Lysine may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lysine?
Before taking lysine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare
provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have liver or kidney disease, or certain
other medical conditions or allergies.
Do not
take lysine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant. It is not known whether lysine will be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
take lysine without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether lysine will be harmful to a nursing infant.
How should I take lysine?
Lysine has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of this product may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal supplements have
been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements
should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
If you choose to take lysine, use it exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by
your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
Store lysine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of lysine?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of lysine. Ask your doctor,
pharmacist, or healthcare professional for instructions if you miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about lysine?
Your pharmacist has information about lysine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lysine?
Stop taking lysine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms
of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of
your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist,
or healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lysine?
Lysine has not been approved by the FDA to treat any disease, and it should not be
substituted for prescription medications.
Lysine has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of this product may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal supplements have
been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements
should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
What should I avoid while taking lysine?
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without a doctor's advice.
What other drugs will affect lysine?
The following drugs may become toxic if you take them together with lysine. Tell your
healthcare provider if you are using any of these:
gentamicin (Garamycin);
tobramycin (Nebcin, TOBI);
amikacin (Amikin);
kanamycin (Kantrex);
netilmicin (Netromycin);
neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
netilmicin (Netromycin);
streptomycin; or
tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take lysine,
or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with lysine. Tell
your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without
telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009