Arginine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 30, 2021.

What are other common names?

• Arginine Ethyl Ester
• Arginine Ethyl Ester Dihydrochloride
• Arginine Ethyl Ester HCl
• Arginine HCl
• Arginine Hydrochloride
• Di-Arginine Malate
• Di-Arginine Orotate
• Di-L-Arginine-L-Malate
• Dl-Arginine
• L-Arginine
• L-Arginine Ethyl Ester Dichloride
• L-Arginine HCl
• L-Arginine Hexanoate
• L-Arginine Hydrochloride
• L-Arginine Ketoisocaproic Acid
• L-Arginine L-Pyroglutamate
• L-Arginine Pyroglutamate
• L-Arginine Taurinate

What is this product used for?

Arginine helps your body to make a substance called nitric oxide, or NO. NO helps to relax blood vessels and this helps with blood flow. Some people use arginine to help with heart problems. Others may use it for pain caused by poor blood flow, especially in the legs. Some people who have problems getting an erection use it to help improve sexual activity. Some people with diabetes may rub arginine cream on their feet and legs to improve blood flow and wound healing in those areas.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• Do not use this product if your body cannot use arginine. Some people are born with this problem.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• Do not take this product for long periods of time, especially if you have problems with the blood vessels in your legs. Taking this product for 6 months or longer may worsen your symptoms.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Do not use this product if you are taking drugs for high blood pressure. These are drugs like captopril, losartan, diltiazem, or furosemide.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that relax your blood vessels. These are drugs like nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, or sildenafil.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking certain drugs that lower your cholesterol called “statins”, such as simvastatin, pravastatin, or atorvastatin.

• Take extra care if you are using insulin. This product may decrease or increase the effect of insulin in your body.

• If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Heart problems or a recent heart attack

  • Hardening of the arteries, especially in older people

  • Kidney problems

  • Liver problems

  • Diabetes

  • Blood pressure problems