No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
📰Read the full L-Citrulline evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.
1
Safe
L-Citrulline
Citrulline / Citrulline malate
Generally SafeModerateAmino Acids
RDA
Typical 3–6 g
Target
Reduction
Upper limit
No UL
Products
16
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Beetroot Juice, L-Arginine✅ USP Verified, NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport
⚠ See Citrulline Malate entry for full data [1]
⚠ PDE5 inhibitors/nitrates: AVOID [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable as a daily target — obtained as part of dietary protein rather than tracked individually.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Pure L-citrulline: BP/vascular/ED applications (3–6 g/day). Citrulline malate: exercise (6–8 g). Same NO mechanism. See Citrulline Malate entry for comprehensive data. AVOID with PDE5 inhibitors/nitrates [1].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
See Citrulline Malate [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: See Citrulline Malate [1].
💊 With food: Any [1].
🚫 Avoid: PDE5 inhibitors. Nitrates [1].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['L-Citrulline powder/capsules', 'common', '3–6 g/day [1].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
L-Citrulline vs citrulline malate?
Both raise arginine/NO. L-citrulline: pure, for BP/vascular. Citrulline malate: + malic acid, for exercise. Same core mechanism [1].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

See Citrulline Malate entry [1]. HIGH

Moderate

BP: meta-analysis ~4 mmHg SBP reduction [1]. ED: one trial at 1.5 g/day [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient

See Citrulline Malate [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Absolute contraindications

✕ Concurrent nitrates or PDE-5 inhibitors — additive hypotension

Relative

⚠ Antihypertensives — additive blood-pressure lowering
⚠ Low blood pressure

🚩 Red flags

PDE5/nitrates [1]
6 Interactions
7 US supplement products
16
on-market products containing L-Citrulline (NIH DSLD)

Brands carrying L-Citrulline (7)

Click a brand to see its L-Citrulline products.
Or browse all 16 products in one list →
8 Frequently paired with
Sucralose 11 shared
L-Citrulline vs Beetroot JuiceL-Citrulline vs L-Arginine
9 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. L-Citrulline — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 12]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/l-citrulline/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). L-Citrulline — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/l-citrulline/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: January 2027
References: 1 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "L-Citrulline — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/l-citrulline/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG