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Overview: L-glutamine is a prescription medicine used to help reduce serious problems, such as pain crises, from sickle cell disease. It works by helping your body fight off some of the damage from sickle cell disease. Common side effects include constipation, nausea, headache, and cough. It may also cause pain in the stomach, hands, feet, back, or chest. L-glutamine is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid or soft food before swallowing.

Uses

What is L-glutamine used for?

L-glutamine is commonly used to help reduce serious problems, such as pain crises, in people with sickle cell disease (SCD).

L-glutamine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Glutamine is also available as a dietary supplement in various strengths and dosage forms. It may be used for various reasons, although its benefits for many of these uses are not well defined. See Glutamine for more information. Only use the product prescribed or recommended for you by a health care provider.

How does L-glutamine work (mechanism of action)?

Sickle cell disease may cause damage to the cells in your body. Antioxidants that are naturally found in your cells can help reduce this damage. L-glutamine helps maintain the amount of antioxidants in your cells. Taking L-glutamine can help increase your antioxidant levels. This can help reduce how often you have serious complications from sickle cell disease, such as pain crises.

How is L-glutamine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Endari
  • NutreStore

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 g of powder per packet

How should I store L-glutamine?

L-glutamine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). Store L-glutamine in the original foil pouches in a cool, dry place. Do not place the medicine in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of L-glutamine?

The most common side effects of L-glutamine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Cough
  • Pain in the hands, feet, back, or chest

There may be other side effects of L-glutamine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of L-glutamine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of L-glutamine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. L-glutamine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking L-glutamine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use L-glutamine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take L-glutamine.

  • Endari
  • Glutamine
  • L-glutamine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific L-glutamine products they stock.

What should I know about L-glutamine before using it?

Do not take L-glutamine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share L-glutamine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

L-glutamine comes in foil packets that are not child-resistant. Keep L-glutamine out of the reach of children.

L-glutamine is a powder that must be mixed with either a liquid or soft food. If you are mixing it with a liquid, use at least one cup (240 milliliters) of cold or room temperature liquid, such as water, milk, or juice. The powder does not need to completely dissolve in the liquid before you drink it. If you are mixing it with food, use at least 4-6 oz of a soft food that is cold or at room temperature, such as yogurt or applesauce. Once you have mixed L-glutamine with a liquid or soft food, take it right away. Do not store it for later.

What should I tell my health care provider before using L-glutamine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if L-glutamine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how L-glutamine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if L-glutamine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take L-glutamine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does L-glutamine interact with foods or drinks?

L-glutamine should be mixed with either a liquid or a soft food that is cold or at room temperature.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect L-glutamine.

Does L-glutamine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between L-glutamine and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much L-glutamine?

If you or someone else has used too much L-glutamine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of L-glutamine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.