L-Ornithine-L-aspartate

Amino-acidDipeptide saltBest with a meal

What is it

L-Ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) is a stable salt of two amino acids, ornithine and aspartate, used clinically in some countries to treat hepatic encephalopathy and reduce ammonia levels.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Hepatic encephalopathy

Strong Evidence

Multiple RCTs and meta-analyses support LOLA for treating overt and minimal hepatic encephalopathy, lowering blood ammonia and improving mental state.

Sport performance/recovery

Mixed Evidence

Marketing claims for fatigue and performance lack supporting clinical evidence in healthy athletes.

How it works

Ornithine drives the urea cycle, while aspartate provides substrate for transamination and glutamine synthesis. Together they enhance ammonia detoxification through urea synthesis in the liver and glutamine synthesis in muscle. Multiple clinical trials, primarily oral and intravenous, support efficacy for overt and minimal hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients.

Dosage

Clinical doses are 3-6 g three times daily orally, or 20-40 g/day intravenously in hospital settings. As a sport supplement, doses are smaller (1-3 g/day) but evidence in healthy people is weak.

When and how to take it

Clinical regimens typically dose multiple times per day with meals.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Oral granules/tablets

Used in hepatology.

Standard clinical form.

IV infusion

Hospital use only.

Used acutely.

Safety

Well tolerated. GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting) are the main adverse effects. Long-term clinical use is established in hepatology.

Who should be cautious

People with severe renal impairment should use under medical supervision due to altered amino acid handling. Pregnancy and lactation: data limited for non-clinical use.

Interactions

Generally minimal interactions. Use under medical guidance in patients on multiple medications for liver disease.

Frequently asked questions

Will LOLA help my workouts?⌄

No good evidence for performance effects in healthy athletes. Its primary use is medical, for liver disease.

Do I need a prescription?⌄

Status varies by country. In the US it is sold as a supplement; in Europe it is often a registered drug for hepatic encephalopathy.

References

L-Ornithine-L-aspartate on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on L-Ornithine-L-aspartate (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track L-Ornithine-L-aspartate with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.