ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Overview Information
Ornithine ketoglutarate is an amino acid. The body uses amino acids to build proteins. Ornithine ketoglutarate can be made by the body or in a laboratory. People use it as a medicine.
Ornithine ketoglutarate is taken by mouth for enhancing athletic performance and for healing wounds in burn patients.
Ornithine ketoglutarate is sometimes included in nutritional formulas that healthcare providers give as an injection into the veins (intravenously, by IV). Ornithine ketoglutarate is added to the formulas to prevent abnormally slow growth in children who are receiving long-term intravenous feeding.
Ornithine ketoglutarate is also given by IV for helping the body make muscle protein after surgery or stroke; and for treating brain change caused by liver disease.
Don’t confuse ornithine ketoglutarate with ornithine.
How does it work?
Ornithine ketoglutarate might change the way amino acids, the building blocks of protein, are used in the body. It also increases insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood.
ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Effective for:
- Wound healing in burn patients.
Possibly Ineffective for:
- Improving athletic performance.
Likely Ineffective for:
- Treating mental changes caused by liver disease, when given intravenously (by IV) by a healthcare professional.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Complications of surgery or long-term feeding by vein and other conditions.
- Preventing abnormally slow growth in children receiving long-term nutrition by IV.
- Other conditions.
ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Side Effects & Safety
There isn't enough reliable information to rate the safety of taking ornithine ketoglutarate by mouth.
It might be safe for most people when given intravenously (IV) by a healthcare professional.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of ornithine ketoglutarate during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Interactions
We currently have no information for ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Interactions
ORNITHINE KETOGLUTARATE Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For the healing of burn wounds: 30 grams of ornithine ketoglutarate daily.
