Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
L-Ornithine Side Effects & Safety
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Potential Side Effects
- Diarrhea and GI discomfort, especially at doses above 6 g
- Nausea at high doses
- Generally well tolerated at standard doses (2-4 g)
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- No significant drug interactions reported at standard supplemental doses
- May enhance the ammonia-lowering effects of lactulose in liver disease
- Arginine — may work synergistically for urea cycle support
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: Doses up to 12 g have been used acutely; GI side effects common above 6-8 g
References
- Miyake M, Kirisako T, Kokubo T, et al. (2014). Randomised controlled trial of the effects of L-ornithine on stress markers and sleep quality in healthy workers. Nutrition Journal. DOI PubMed
- Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kajimoto O. (2008). L-ornithine supplementation attenuates physical fatigue in healthy volunteers by modulating lipid and amino acid metabolism. Nutrition Research. DOI PubMed
- Butterworth RF, McPhail MJ. (2019). L-Ornithine L-Aspartate (LOLA) for Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis: Results of Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-Analyses. Drugs. DOI PubMed