Glutamine

Generic name: Glutamine
Drug class: Nutraceutical products

Usage of Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid that affects the processes of growth and function of cells in the stomach and intestines.

Glutamine is a medical food product that is used to supplement dietary sources of glutamine. glutamine is used to treat a glutamine deficiency, or a loss of glutamine caused by injury or illness.

Glutamine is also used in combination with human growth hormone to treat short bowel syndrome.

Glutamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Glutamine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Glutamine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain;

hearing problems; or

signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, mouth sores, unusual weakness.

Common side effects of glutamine may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas;

swelling in your hands or feet;

muscle or joint pain, back pain;

headache, dizziness, tired feeling;

mild skin rash or itching; or

dry mouth, runny nose, increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Glutamine

To make sure glutamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease; or

kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether glutamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use glutamine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether glutamine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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How to use Glutamine

Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:

Average Dose: 10 g orally 3 times per dayDosing range: 5 g to 30 g orally per day

Usual Adult Dose for Short Bowel Syndrome:

Oral: 5 g orally 6 times per day at 2 to 3 hour intervals, with meals or snacks, while awake, for up to 16 weeks; to be used in combination with growth hormone and nutritional support.

Usual Adult Dose for Sickle Cell Anemia:

In a clinical study of 7 patients after 4 weeks of therapy with glutamine at 30 g orally per day, there was clinical benefit in reducing the oxidative susceptibility of sickle red blood cells.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sickle Cell Anemia:

In a clinical study of 27 children (5.2 to 17.9 years old) after 24 weeks of therapy with glutamine at 600 mg/kg/day orally there was clinical benefit seen in resting energy expenditure and improvement in nutritional parameters.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Glutamine

Other drugs may interact with glutamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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