Also known as: Agmatine, Agmatine sulphate, Decarboxylated arginine, AgmaPure
Performance & PowerEmerging evidence
A metabolite of arginine used in pre-workouts for pump, working by a different route than citrulline. Widely used, poorly studied in humans, and worth understanding before paying for it.
Typical dose
500.0–1000.0 mg per day
30-60 minutes pre-training, on an empty stomach
What it is
Agmatine is produced when arginine has its carboxyl group removed, a reaction carried out by bacteria and, to a limited extent, in mammalian tissue. It is found in small amounts in fermented foods.
Supplements supply agmatine sulfate, the stable salt form. It appears in a large proportion of pre-workout products, usually at 500 to 1,000 mg per serving.
Its position is unusual. It is derived from arginine but does not act as an arginine source — it is a distinct signalling molecule with its own targets. That is why comparing it to citrulline on nitric oxide grounds misses what it is proposed to do.
How it works
Agmatine modulates the enzymes that produce nitric oxide rather than supplying substrate for them. It appears to inhibit some forms of nitric oxide synthase while influencing others, which is a more complicated picture than simply raising nitric oxide.
It also inhibits arginase, the enzyme that degrades arginine. In principle that preserves arginine for nitric oxide production, which is a plausible route to a pump effect and a genuinely different mechanism from citrulline's substrate supply.
Agmatine additionally acts on imidazoline receptors and modulates NMDA receptor activity, which is the basis for research interest in areas well outside sports nutrition. Whether any of this operates meaningfully at oral supplemental doses in humans is the open question.
What the evidence shows
Human evidence for agmatine in a performance context is very limited. There are few controlled trials examining pump, blood flow or exercise outcomes, which is striking given how widely it is used.
Most of the research literature is preclinical and concerns neurological and discomfort-related endpoints rather than anything a lifter is buying it for.
The honest position is that agmatine is a genuinely interesting molecule whose presence in pre-workouts rests on mechanism and user reports rather than trial evidence. If pump is the goal, citrulline has the considerably better-supported case, and agmatine is the speculative addition on top.
Dosing
Common doses are 500 to 1,000 mg, taken 30 to 60 minutes before training. This range comes from product convention rather than dose-finding research.
Take on an empty stomach. Agmatine competes with amino acids for absorption, so taking it alongside a protein shake or a meal reduces how much gets in — which makes it a poor fit for an all-in-one pre-workout taken with food.
If your goal is pump and you are choosing where to spend, citrulline at 6 to 8 g is the better-evidenced purchase. Agmatine is a reasonable addition once that base is covered, not a substitute for it.
At a glance
Common forms
Agmatine sulfate powder, AgmaPure, Capsules, Within pre-workout blends
Half-life / duration
Plasma levels peak within 1-2 hours
Timing
30-60 minutes pre-training, on an empty stomach
Competition status
Permitted — not on the WADA Prohibited List
Category
Performance & Power
Safety and side effects
Generally well tolerated at typical doses. Digestive upset, nausea and diarrhoea are the most commonly reported effects, more likely at higher doses or on a very empty stomach.
Long-term human safety data is limited, which matters for something taken regularly. Most safety information comes from short trials and animal work.
Because it acts on receptors involved in blood pressure regulation and in nervous system signalling, speak to your doctor before use if you take regular medication, particularly anything affecting blood pressure or acting on the brain.
Who should avoid it
Speak to your doctor before use if you take regular medication, particularly anything affecting blood pressure or acting on the brain or nervous system. Long-term safety data is limited. Not established at supplemental doses in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This entry is provided for information only. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision.
