2-amino-5-(carbamoylamino)pentanoic acid, Citrulline, Citrulline Malate, L-Citrulina, L-Citrulline AKG, L-Citrulline-Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, L-Citrulline Malate, Malate de Citrulline.
L-citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid. It is found in some foods like watermelons and is also produced naturally by the body.
L-citrulline is used for Alzheimer's disease, dementia, fatigue, muscle weakness, sickle cell disease, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It is used for heart disease, body building, increasing energy, and for improving athletic performance.
How does work?
L-citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid found in food, such as watermelons, and also made in the body. Our bodies change L-citrulline into another amino acid called L-arginine and also to nitric oxide. L-citrulline might help increase the supply of ingredients the body needs to making certain proteins. It might also help open up veins and arteries to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Exercise performance. L-citrulline might not be effective for improving exercise performance. In one research test, L-citrulline did not improve performance on a treadmill. People who took L-citrulline actually became exhausted more quickly than people who did not take it.
- High blood pressure in children after heart surgery. L-citrulline might help reduce the high blood pressure that can occur after heart surgery in children. It's given before and after the surgery.
- Sickle cell disease. L-citrulline might improve some symptoms in people with sickle cell disease.
- Other conditions.
QUESTION
See AnswerL-citrulline is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately by adults and children.
Pregnancy or breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable scientific information to know if L-citrulline is safe to take during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Until more is known, avoid L-citrulline while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.Medications for male sexual dysfunction (Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors)Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.
L-citrulline might decrease blood pressure. Some medications for male sexual dysfunction can also decrease blood pressure. Taking L-citrulline along with medications for male sexual dysfunction might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for male sexual dysfunction include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Nitrates)Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.
L-citrulline might decrease blood pressure and increase blood flow. Taking L-citrulline with other medications that increase blood flow to the heart might increase the chance of dizziness and lightheadedness.
Some of these medications that increase blood flow to the heart include nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat) and isosorbide (Imdur, Isordil, Sorbitrate).
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
L-citrulline might decrease blood pressure. Taking L-citrulline along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
The appropriate dose of L-citrulline depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for L-citrulline. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
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