L Arginine
About
L Arginine belongs to the class of 'amino acids,' primarily used as a precursor that helps the body make proteins. It maintains the health and functioning of the immune system. L Arginine is also used for angina (chest pain), peripheral arterial disease, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia) during pregnancy. Peripheral vascular disease is the narrowing of blood vessels that results in reduced blood flow to the limbs.
L Arginine contains L-Arginine, which acts as a building protein. When taken as a supplement, the body converts L-Arginine into nitric oxide. This nitric oxide chemical widens the blood vessels and improves blood flow. This vasodilating action of L Arginine also plays a vital role in treating heart diseases that are caused due to arterial plaque build-up, blood clots, and platelet clumping. Thus L Arginine helps treat high blood pressure, angina, and peripheral arterial disease.
Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. Sometimes, L Arginine may have common side effects like abdominal pain, bloating, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist for a longer time, please seek medical advice.
Please tell your doctor if you have a medical history of asthma, gout, cirrhosis (chronic liver damage), kidney diseases, recent heart attack, low blood pressure, and herpes (virus infection) before using L Arginine. Let your doctor know in advance if you have a surgery scheduled since this medicine may lower your blood pressure. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, please consult your doctor before using L Arginine. L Arginine should be given to children only when the doctor has advised.
Uses of L Arginine
Medicinal Benefits
L Arginine contains L-Arginine that boosts the immune system. When taken as a supplement, the body converts L-Arginine into nitric oxide. This chemical widens the blood vessels and improves blood flow. This vasodilating action of L Arginine also plays an important role in treating heart diseases that are caused due to arterial plaque build-up, blood clots, and platelet clumping. Thus L Arginine helps treat high blood pressure, angina, and peripheral arterial disease. L Arginine is also used to remove a waste product, ammonia, from the body and helps stimulate the release of insulin.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of L Arginine
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are using any other medicines, and herbal products before starting L Arginine. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to L Arginine or its inactive components. Please inform your doctor if you have a medical history of asthma, gout, cirrhosis (chronic liver damage), kidney diseases, recent heart attack, low blood pressure, and herpes (virus infection) before using L Arginine. Inform your doctor in advance if you have surgery scheduled since this medicine may lower your blood pressure. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking L Arginine. L Arginine should be given to children only when the doctor has advised. Do not store L Arginine above 25°C and keep it away from direct sunlight.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: L Arginine may interact with angina medicines (nitroglycerin), blood pressure medicines (captopril, losartan, diltiazem, amlodipine), and medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil).
Drug-Food Interaction: L Arginine may interact with supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, garlic, and Asian ginseng.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have gout, cirrhosis, kidney diseases, recent heart attack, low blood pressure, herpes, and allergic reactions to medicines before starting L Arginine. It is not recommended for use in asthma.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using L Arginine to obtain its maximum benefits. It is best to take your doctor's advice before starting L Arginine.
Pregnancy
cautionL Arginine should be used only when advised by your doctor during pregnancy. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before starting L Arginine.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before starting L Arginine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionL Arginine usually does not affect your driving ability. However, if you notice any symptoms due to lowered blood pressure, please consult your doctor.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases like cirrhosis before taking L Arginine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before recommending L Arginine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking L Arginine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before recommending L Arginine.
Children
cautionYour child's doctor may recommend this medicine in lower doses only when it is absolutely necessary.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try arginine-rich food sources like oats, corn, cereals, buckwheat, brown rice, dairy products, meat, chicken, and chocolate.
- Include natural sources of arginine like walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, sesame, and sunflower seeds in your daily diet.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid excess fatty foods.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High blood pressure/Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower, and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack.
Peripheral arterial disease: It is a blood circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels outside the brain and heart to narrow and block. The narrowed blood vessels cause reduced blood flow. It could occur due to the deposition of fat and calcium on the walls of the arteries. Symptoms include pain in the leg, especially while walking. Risk factors include smoking, ageing, and diabetes.
FAQs
L Arginine contains L-Arginine, a precursor for the formation of proteins. It is a vasodilator and helps in increasing blood flow through the blood vessels. Thus, it helps treat angina, peripheral arterial disease, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have asthma, gout, cirrhosis, kidney diseases, recent heart attack, low blood pressure, and herpes before starting L Arginine. Let your doctor know if you have any other medical concerns before starting L Arginine.
L Arginine contains L-Arginine, which may increase the level of potassium in your body, leading to hyperkalaemia. So, if you have a high potassium level, let your doctor know about this before taking the L Arginine.
If you have a surgery scheduled, it is recommended to stop taking L-Arginine at least two weeks before since it may lower the blood pressure. For more information, please seek medical advice.
