|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

What are L-Tyrosine's Side Effects?

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid available in oral and topical cream forms and used to treat phenylketonuria, alertness, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. L-Tyrosine poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

  1. Types of Side Effects

    • Possible side effects of L-Tyrosine include nausea, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, joint pain, mood changes, irritability and changes in heart rate.

    Pediatrics

    • L-Tyrosine may pose increased risks for side effects in infants and children, according to the Physicians Desktop Reference.

    Drug Interactions

    • L-Tyrosine decreases the effectiveness of the prescription medication of Levodopa, causing an increase of symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease, according to RxList.com. Because L-Tyrosine causes a slight increase in the production of thyroid hormones, combining the drug with medications used to treat hypothryoidism may result in excessive production of thyroid hormones.

    Risks

    • Some patients develop a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to L-Tyrosine, causing chest pain, shortness of breath and an itchy skin rash.

    Considerations

    • If you have a history of diabetes, hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease, you should not take L-Tyrosine due to its potential side effects. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take L-Tyrosine, according to the Physician's Desktop Reference.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles