L - ORNITHINE - L - ASPARTATE

Other Names:

2,5-Diaminopentanoic Acid 2-Aminobutanedioic Acid, L-Ornithin-L-Aspartat, L-Ornithine-L-Aspartate Salt, LOLA, Ornithine Aspartate, Ornithylaspartate.

Review this Treatment See Brand Products

L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Overview Information

L-ornithine-L-aspartate is a chemical made up of the two amino acids ornithine and aspartic acid. Most amino acids are used as building blocks to make protein. But L-ornithine-L-aspartate is not used to make protein. Instead it is broken down in the body to provide ornithine and aspartic acid.

L-ornithine-L-aspartate is most commonly used for reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). It is also used for athletic performance, cirrhosis, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

L-ornithine-L-aspartate increases the levels of ornithine and aspartic acid in the body. These amino acids help to reduce levels of a toxic chemical called ammonia in the blood.

L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for:

Reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). Most research shows that L-ornithine-L-aspartate may reduce symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy in people with a liver disease called cirrhosis. But most of this research is low-quality. And not all people who get hepatic encephalopathy have cirrhosis. L-ornithine-L-aspartate might not help reduce symptoms in people with other causes of hepatic encephalopathy.

Insufficient Evidence for:

Liver scarring (cirrhosis). Research shows that giving L-ornithine-L-aspartate by mouth or with a needle might reduce the risk of death in people with cirrhosis. But not all research agrees. More research is needed to understand if L-ornithine-L-aspartate can help people with cirrhosis.
To improve mental performance during exercise.
Involuntary weight loss in people who are very ill (cachexia or wasting syndrome).
Wound healing.
Burns.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate L-ornithine-L-aspartate for these uses.

L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: L-ornithine-L-aspartate is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth. No side effects have been reported.

When given by IV: L-ornithine-L-aspartate is POSSIBLY SAFE when given by IV. Nausea, vomiting, cough, muscle cramping, and diarrhea have happened in some people getting injections of L-ornithine-L-aspartate. But these side effects are rare.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of L-ornithine-L-aspartate during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Interactions

We currently have no information for L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Interactions

L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS
BY MOUTH:

For reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy): 9-18 grams daily for up to 3 months has been used.

WITH A NEEDLE:

For reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy): 5-40 grams daily for up to 7 days has been used.

View clinical references for this vitamin or supplement Sources

References:

Acharya, S. K., Bhatia, V., Sreenivas, V., Khanal, S., and Panda, S. K. Efficacy of L-ornithine L-aspartate in acute liver failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Gastroenterology 2009;136(7):2159-2168. View abstract.

Ahmad, I., Khan, A. A., Alam, A., Dilshad, A., Butt, A. K., Shafqat, F., Malik, K., and Sarwar, S. L-ornithine-L-aspartate infusion efficacy in hepatic encephalopathy. J.Coll.Physicians Surg.Pak. 2008;18(11):684-687. View abstract.

Feher J, Lang I Gogl A Varga L Varga L Tompos G Pronai L. Effect of ornithine-aspartate infusion on elevated serum ammonia concentration in cirrhotic patients - Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind multicentre trial. Medical Science Monitor. 1997;3(5):669-673.

Kircheis, G., Nilius, R., Held, C., Berndt, H., Buchner, M., Gortelmeyer, R., Hendricks, R., Kruger, B., Kuklinski, B., Meister, H., Otto, H. J., Rink, C., Rosch, W., and Stauch, S. Therapeutic efficacy of L-ornithine-L-aspartate infusions in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Hepatology 1997;25(6):1351-1360. View abstract.

Kowalski, P. and Bieniecki, M. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability study of L-ornithine-L-aspartate in healthy volunteers--a comparative study of two oral formulations. J.Pharm.Biomed.Anal. 6-7-2006;41(3):1061-1064. View abstract.

Mittal, V. V., Sharma, B. C., Sharma, P., and Sarin, S. K. A randomized controlled trial comparing lactulose, probiotics, and L-ornithine L-aspartate in treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Eur.J.Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2011;23(8):725-732. View abstract.

Ndraha, S., Hasan, I., and Simadibrata, M. The effect of L-ornithine L-aspartate and branch chain amino acids on encephalopathy and nutritional status in liver cirrhosis with malnutrition. Acta Med.Indones. 2011;43(1):18-22. View abstract.

Ong, J. P., Oehler, G., Kruger-Jansen, C., Lambert-Baumann, J., and Younossi, Z. M. Oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate improves health-related quality of life in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy: an open-label, prospective, multicentre observational study. Clin.Drug Investig. 2011;31(4):213-220. View abstract.

Poo, J. L., Gongora, J., Sanchez-Avila, F., Aguilar-Castillo, S., Garcia-Ramos, G., Fernandez-Zertuche, M., Rodriguez-Fragoso, L., and Uribe, M. Efficacy of oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate in cirrhotic patients with hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy. Results of a randomized, lactulose-controlled study. Ann.Hepatol. 2006;5(4):281-288. View abstract.

Stauch, S., Kircheis, G., Adler, G., Beckh, K., Ditschuneit, H., Gortelmeyer, R., Hendricks, R., Heuser, A., Karoff, C., Malfertheiner, P., Mayer, D., Rosch, W., and Steffens, J. Oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate therapy of chronic hepatic encephalopathy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study. J.Hepatol. 1998;28(5):856-864. View abstract.

Abid S, Jafri W, Mumtaz K, et al. Efficacy of L-ornithine-L-aspartate as an adjuvant therapy in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2011;21:666-71. View abstract.

Alehagen U, Alexander J, Aaseth J. Supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 reduces cardiovascular mortality in elderly with low selenium status. A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 1;11(7):e0157541. View abstract.

Alvares-da-Silva MR, de Araujo A, Vicenzi JR, et al. Oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Hepatol Res 2014;44:956-63. View abstract.

Bai M, He C, Yin Z, et al. Randomised clinical trial: L-ornithine-L-aspartate reduces significantly the increase of venous ammonia concentration after TIPSS. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014;40:63-71. View abstract.

Bai M, Yang Z, Qi X, et al. L-ornithine-L-aspartate for hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013;28:783-92. View abstract.

Goh ET, Stokes CS, Sidhu SS, Vilstrup H, Gluud LL, Morgan MY. L-onrhithine L-aspartate for prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 May 15;5:CD012410. View abstract.

Mikulski T, Dabrowski J, Hilgier W, et al. Effects of supplementation with branched chain amino acids and ornithine aspartate on plasma ammonia and central fatigue during exercise in healthy men. Folia Neuropathol 2015;53:377-86. View abstract.

Pérez Hernández JL, Higuera de la Tijera F, Serralde-Zúñiga AE, Abdo Francis JM. Critical analysis of studies evaluating the efficacy of infusion of L-ornithine L-aspartate in clinical hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver failure. Ann Hepatol 2011;10 Suppl 2:S66-9. View abstract.

Rees C, Oppong K, Mardini H, et al. Effect of L-Ornithine-L-Aspartate on patients with and without TIPS undergoing glutamine challenge: a double blind, placebo controlled trial. Gut 2000;47:571-4.. View abstract.

Schmid M, Peck-Radosavljevic M König F Mittermaier C Gangl A Ferenci P. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous L-ornithine-L-aspartate on postural control in patients with cirrhosis. Liver Int. 2010;30(4):574-582. View abstract.

Shalimar, Acharya SK. Management in acute liver failure. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2015;5:S104-15. View abstract.

Sharma K, Pant S, Misra S, et al. Effect of rifaximin, probiotics, and l-ornithine l-aspartate on minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2014;20:225-32. View abstract.

Varakanahalli S, Sharma BC, Srivastava S, Sachdeva S, Dahale AS. Secondary prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis of liver: a double-blind randomized controlled trial of L-ornithine L-aspartate versus placebo. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Apr 30. View abstract.

Waghray A, Waghray N, Mullen K. Management of covert hepatic encephalopathy. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2015;5:S75-81. View abstract.

Zhu GQ, Shi KQ, Huang S, et al. Systematic review with network meta-analysis: the comparative effectiveness and safety of interventions in patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015;41:624-35. View abstract.

Be the first to share your experience with this treatment.

Conditions & Treatments Related to L-ORNITHINE-L-ASPARTATE

Learn about User Reviews and read IMPORTANT information about user generated content

Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2009.

Vitamins & Supplements

Top Supplements

Drugs and Medications Center

Living Healthy Resources

Today on WebMD

Vitamins Quiz

Do you know your vitamin ABCs?

11 Supplements for Menopause

Ease hot flashes and other symptoms.

Vitamin B12

Are you getting enough?

Vitamin D

Wonder pill or overkill?

Video

Powerhouse Fruits and Veggies

Article

Vitamin Overload: Can It Hurt You?

Article

About Sleep Herbs and Supplements

Article

St. John's Wort for Depression

IMPORTANT: About This Section and Other User-Generated Content on WebMD

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatment or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.