TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

L-GLUTAMINE

Trial Activity: Declining
Rare Disease Approved 2024-07-08

L-glutamine is an amino acid used to reduce the acute complications associated with sickle cell disease. It helps patients five years of age and older, including both children and adults. This treatment is prescribed to help manage the chronic hemolysis and vaso-occlusive events that often occur in those with the condition.

Source: FDA Label • NOVITIUM PHARMA • Amino Acid

How L-GLUTAMINE Works

This amino acid works by increasing the availability of reduced glutathione, which improves the NAD redox potential within sickle red blood cells. By regulating oxidative stress, it helps protect these cells from the damage that leads to cell breakdown and vessel blockages.

Source: FDA Label

Development Insights

Emmaus Medical, Inc. conducting 3 trials (43%)
13 indications explored (Broad Platform)
thalassemia (2 trials)
sickle cell disease (2 trials)
pulmonary artery pressure (1 trials)
2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2024-07-08
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
FOR SOLUTION

Companies

Active Ingredient: L-GLUTAMINE

L-GLUTAMINE Approval History

2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
2 FDA actions from 2024 to 2026
May 2026 ORIGINAL
Update
Jul 2024 ORIGINAL
Update

What L-GLUTAMINE Treats

1 indications

L-GLUTAMINE is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2024. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Sickle Cell Disease
Source: FDA Label

L-GLUTAMINE Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Indication competitors

3

Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to L-GLUTAMINE

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

ADAKVEO
CRIZANLIZUMAB-TMCA
1 shared
Novartis
Shared indications:
Sickle Cell Disease
ENDARI
L-GLUTAMINE
1 shared
EMMAUS MEDCL
Shared indications:
Sickle Cell Disease
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Clinical Trial Registry

6 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT07210450 IR.MAZUMS.REC.1402.246 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Effect of L-Glutamine on Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients With Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia
NCT04634539 IIT2020-02-Gong-GLUTAPANC Ph 1 completed Trial of First-line L-glutamine With Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
NCT05106101 EM-DsD-002 Ph 1 completed L-glutamine Treatment in Patients With Diverticulosis
NCT04684381 EM-PK-01 Ph 4 completed Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Endari (L-glutamine) in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
NCT01048905 results posted 1R01FD003531-01 IRB 2008-059, 1R01FD003531-01 Ph 2 completed Glutamine Therapy for Hemolysis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
NCT01179217 results posted GLUSCC09-01 Ph 3 completed A Phase III Safety and Efficacy Study of L-Glutamine to Treat Sickle Cell Disease or Sickle βo-thalassemia
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

L-GLUTAMINE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

L-GLUTAMINE is indicated for the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease.

Looking for the branded version?

ENDARI

Full clinical data, patents, trials, and competitive landscape for l-glutamine.

See ENDARI

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.

How We Calculate These Metrics

Trial Activity Stage

Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.

Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.

  • Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
  • Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
  • Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
  • Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
  • Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment