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Overview: Agmatine is a substance that is naturally found in plants, animals, and fish. The bacteria in your gut also make agmatine from an amino acid called L-arginine. Agmatine supplements are used for various purposes, including to improve brain health and physical performance. However, their safety and benefits are not well defined. Before taking agmatine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is agmatine used for?

Agmatine is used for various reasons. However, its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using agmatine include the following.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed agmatine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does agmatine work (mechanism of action)?

Agmatine is a chemical that is naturally found in your body. The bacteria in your gut make agmatine from an amino acid called L-arginine. It is also found in plants, animals, and fish, making it a common dietary nutrient.

Agmatine supplements are often marketed for improving brain health and reducing nerve pain. Animal research shows that agmatine may affect the brain and nerves in a manner similar to some other important chemicals called neurotransmitters. But these effects are not well understood, and research in humans is very limited. It is not clear if agmatine can help improve the symptoms of any specific conditions, including depression, memory problems, dementia, or nerve pain.

Since agmatine can be made from L-arginine, it is sometimes promoted for athletic performance. L-arginine plays an important role in forming nitric oxide, a gas that helps relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow throughout your body. But agmatine does not have the same effects as L-arginine in the body. In fact, it is possible that it may lower the levels of nitric oxide in some situations. There is no evidence that agmatine supplements can help increase blood flow or improve physical performance.

How should I store agmatine?

You should store agmatine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of agmatine?

There is not enough research to know what common side effects agmatine may cause. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). 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 agmatine?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Agmatine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking agmatine 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 agmatine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take agmatine.

  • Agmatine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific agmatine products they stock.

What should I know about agmatine before using it?

Agmatine is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep agmatine out of the reach of children.

Agmatine may be found in some supplements that are marketed as “nitric oxide (NO) boosters.” Since nitric oxide is a gas, it cannot be taken as a supplement. Instead, products that claim to boost nitric oxide levels contain substances that may help increase nitric oxide levels in the body. Although agmatine is sometimes labeled as an NO booster, there is no good evidence that it actually increases NO levels in the body. Some of these products may also contain other ingredients that can have various effects on the body. Read the product label carefully to see which ingredients it contains.

The FDA has not tested agmatine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using agmatine?

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 agmatine is right for you.

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

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Agmatine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking agmatine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how agmatine 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 agmatine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does agmatine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between agmatine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect agmatine.

Does agmatine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

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.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking agmatine.

  • Clonidine (Catapres-TTS and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
  • Guanfacine (Tenex), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure
  • L-arginine supplements
  • L-citrulline supplements

The interactions between agmatine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with agmatine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking agmatine with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much agmatine?

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

Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take agmatine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.