Glutamine Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term (2024)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 17, 2024.

Applies to glutamine: oral capsule, oral packet, oral powder, oral powder for solution, oral powder for suspension, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Glutamine

Along with its needed effects, glutamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glutamine:

Less common

• Blood in urine
• changes in skin color
• chills
• cold hands and feet
• confusion
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• frequent and painful urination
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• lightheadedness
• lower back or side pain
• pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid, shallow breathing
• stomach pain
• sudden decrease in amount of urine
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of Glutamine

Some side effects of glutamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Cough or hoarseness
• frequent urge to have a bowel movement
• straining while passing stool

Less common

• Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
• back pain
• bacterial infection
• bleeding after having a bowel movement
• body aches or pain
• breast pain in females
• chest pain
• change in the color, amount, or odor of vagin*l discharge
• congestion
• constipation
• dark urine
• decreased urination
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• difficulty in moving
• discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
• discouragement
• dry mouth
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• ear or hearing symptoms
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• feeling sad or empty
• feeling unusually cold, shivering
• full or bloated feeling
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increased heart rate
• indigestion
• irritability
• joint pain
• lack of appetite
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle aches and pains
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea
• pain or burning feeling while urinating
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• passing gas
• pressure in the stomach
• rectal bleeding
• runny nose
• sneezing
• stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain
• stuffy nose
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• swelling of the face
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• swelling of the stomach area
• swollen joints
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• thirst
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• trouble in swallowing
• uncomfortable swelling around the anus
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• voice changes
• vomiting
• vomiting of blood
• weight loss
• wrinkled skin
• yellow eyes or skin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to glutamine: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included chest pain (19%) and vascular disorder (11%).^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (13% to 31%), vomiting (11% to 19%), abdominal pain (11% to 25%), tenesmus (6% to 33%), flatulence (22% to 25%), hemorrhoids (6% to 11%), dry mouth (6% to 11%), pancreatitis (6% to 11%), constipation (11%), aggravated Crohn's disease (11%), gastric ulcer (11%), and gastrointestinal fistula (11%).^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included back pain (6% to 11%), arthralgia (31% to 44%), and myalgia (11% to 13%).^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included rhinitis (7% to 19%), laryngitis (11%), and pharyngitis (11%).^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression (11% to 22%).^[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included peripheral edema (11% to 81%), facial edema (44% to 50%), generalized edema (13%), enlarged abdomen (11%), pain (6% to 19%), vascular disorder (11%), female breast pain (6% to 11%), vagin*l fungal infection (11%), increased sweating (13%) and ear or hearing symptoms (13%).^[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included fever (6% to 22%), chills (11%), malaise (13%), flu-like disorder (6% to 11%), viral or bacterial infection (6% to 19%), sepsis (6% to 20%), and moniliasis (13%).^[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included dehydration (11% to 19%), and thirst (11%).^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (7% to 11%) and skin and appendage disorders (11% to 13%).^[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included injection site pain and/or injection site reaction (11% to 31%).^[Ref]

Nervous system

Central nervous system side effects have included dizziness (6% to 13%), hypoesthesia (6% to 11%), insomnia (11%) and headache (6% to 11%).^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included pyelonephritis (11%) and renal calculus (11%).^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included abnormal hepatic function (11%).^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Do athletes need glutamine?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer