glycine

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

GLYE-seen

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: wound/ulcer/decubiti healing agent, antipsychotics

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

Wound healing (topical)
Schizophrenia
Neuroprotection after acute ischemic stroke

Action ⬆ ⬇

Non-essential amino acid that acts as an agonist at the glutamate receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA).

Therapeutic effects:

Improved schizophrenia symptoms.
Neuroprotection.
Healing of leg ulcers.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

None known.

Use Cautiously in:

Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient information).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

GI: Nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

May worsen schizophrenia symptoms when taken with clozapine.

Natural-Natural Products:

None known.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): Schizophrenia-0.4–0.8 g/kg daily in divided doses.
(Adults ): Acute ischemic stroke-1–2 g/day started within 6 hrs after stroke onset.
(Adults ): Leg ulcers-Apply cream (containing 10 mg glycine per gram and other agents) at wound cleaning and dressing changes once or twice daily.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Powder: ^OTC
Capsules: ^OTC
Topical cream (10 mg glycine, 2 mg cysteine and 1 mg threonine per gram): ^OTC

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Monitor mental status (orientation, mood, behavior) periodically during therapy.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Administer as directed.
Apply cream at each wound cleaning and dressing change once daily, every other day, or twice daily.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Advise patient to take as directed and to notify health care professional if unexpected side effects occur.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Improvement in schizophrenic symptoms.
Neuroprotection after acute ischemic stroke.
Healing of leg ulcers.

US Brand Names ⬆

L-glycine, Athenon, Monazol, G salt