L-Arginine

Are there any interactions with medications?

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Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

L-arginine seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking L-arginine 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.

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Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Nitrates)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

L-arginine increases blood flow. Taking L-arginine with 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).

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Sildenafil (Viagra)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Sildenafil (Viagra) can lower blood pressure. L-arginine can also lower blood pressure. Taking sildenafil (Viagra) and L-arginine together might cause the blood pressure to go too low. Blood pressure that is too low can cause dizziness and other side effects.

Dosing considerations for L-arginine.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For congestive heart failure: doses range from 6-20 grams per day, as three divided doses.
• For chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (angina pectoris): 3-6 grams three times per day for up to one month.
• For preventing the loss of the effectiveness of nitroglycerin in relieving pain in people with chest pain due to coronary artery disease (angina pectoris): 700 mg four times daily.
• For organic erectile dysfunction (ED): 5 grams per day. Taking lower doses might not be effective.
• For preventing inflammation of the digestive tract in premature infants: 261 mg/kg added to oral feedings daily for the first 28 days of life.