Tyrosine
Generic name: tyrosine [ TYE-roe-seen ]
Brand name: L-Tyrosine
Dosage forms: oral capsule (500 mg); oral powder (-)
Drug class:Oral nutritional supplements
What is tyrosine?
Tyrosine is an amino acid, which is a building block of protein that occurs naturally in the body. Tyrosine can also be found in certain foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, oats, and wheat.
Some people have low levels of tyrosine in their bodies because of a hereditary condition called phenylketonuria (PKU). In people with PKU, the body cannot process an amino acid called phenylalanine, which the body needs to produce tyrosine.
Tyrosine is given as a supplement to increase tyrosine levels in people with PKU.
Tyrosine has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in improving mental performance, alertness, or memory.
Tyrosine has also been used to treat depression or attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD). However, research has shown that tyrosine may not be effective in treating these conditions. Tyrosine also may not be be effective in improving exercise performance.
Other uses not proven with research have included dementia, high blood pressure, narcolepsy, schizophrenia, weight loss, premenstrual syndrome, Parkinson's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, alcoholism, cocaine addiction, and other conditions.
It is not certain whether tyrosine is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Tyrosine should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Tyrosine is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Tyrosine may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
Warnings
Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare prov...
