Gastrointestinal Distress

• Because the body naturally produces moderate levels of alpha-ketoglutarate, taking a synthetic supplement can lead to stomach irritation. Having a health condition may cause your body to be more sensitive to the supplement, causing nausea, upset stomach or heartburn. Contact your physician if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea; this could be an indication of an allergic reaction or that the dosage is too high.
  
  

Cardiovascular and Circulatory System Effects

• Ornithine should not be taken if you have a heart problem, blood pressure issues or circulatory conditions. Cardiovascular and circulatory side effects include chest pain and tightness of the chest or throat. Some users also report trouble breathing.
  
  

Allergic Reactions

• Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itchy or swollen skin, and hives. More serious allergic reactions are trouble breathing and tightness in the throat or chest. Stop taking this supplement and contact your physician immediately if you have signs of an allergic reaction or respiratory difficulty. Death could occur from an allergic reaction to Ornithine.
  
  

Neurologic Effects

• In pill-form, increased dosages of this supplement showed few neurologic side effects, and intravenous use revealed no side effects. However, as with other drugs, you can develop an addiction to the habit of taking the pill form of the supplement. Side effects can manifest as nausea, headache, weakness or vomiting. Report symptoms to your physician immediately.
  
  

Women and Children

• Do not use synthetic forms of Alpha-ketoglutarate if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid this supplement, as it passes to the baby through breast milk. Ornithine should only be used in children intravenously for treatment of burns and wounds; the pill form is too high of a dosage and can cause extreme stomach irritation. Intravenous use can also reduce recovery time for surgery patients.