Background

Agmatine is a chemical found in bacteria, plants, and animals, including humans. It is made from the amino acid known as arginine.

Agmatine is commonly used by mouth for depression, nerve pain, improving athletic performance, and many more conditions. But there is limited scientific research to support any of these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

There isn't enough reliable information to know if agmatine is safe. Some people taking agmatine have had side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking agmatine if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Agmatine might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use agmatine.

Surgery: Agmatine might lower blood sugar and blood pressure and could interfere with blood sugar and blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop taking agmatine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of agmatine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for agmatine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Agmatine might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking agmatine along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Using agmatine with drugs that lower blood pressure may increase the effects of these drugs and may lower blood pressure too much.
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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Agmatine might lower blood pressure. It has the potential to add to blood pressure lowering effects of other herbs and supplements that also lower blood pressure. Other herbs and supplements that can lower blood pressure include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, theanine, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Agmatine might lower blood sugar levels. Taking it along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar could lower blood sugar too much in some people. Some herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Agmatine seems to help manage different chemicals and pathways in the brain. This might improve certain conditions of the brain and nervous system.