Glycine

Mechanism-of-action class: Biological Macromolecular Activity.

• 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP is indicated for use as irrigating fluid during transurethral prostatic resection and other transurethral surgical procedures.

• NOT FOR INJECTION BY USUAL PARENTERAL ROUTES. Do not use in patients with anuria.contraindicated

1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP should be administered only by transurethral instillation with appropriate urologic instrumentation. A disposable irrigation set should be used. The total volume of solution used for irrigation is solely at the discretion of the surgeon. Height of container(s) above the operating table in excess of 60 cm (approx. 2 ft.) has been reported to increase intravascular absorption of the irrigating fluid. Drug Interactions Additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist, if available. When introducing additives, use aseptic technique, mix thoroughly and do not store. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution container permits. See PRECAUTIONS.

FOR UROLOGIC IRRIGATION ONLY. Solutions for urologic irrigation must be used with caution in patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal dysfunction. Irrigating fluids used during transurethral prostatectomy have been demonstrated to enter the systemic circulation in relatively large volumes. Thus, glycine irrigating solution must be regarded as a systemic drug. Absorption of large amounts of fluids containing glycine may significantly alter cardiopulmonary and renal dynamics. Do not heat container over 66°C (150°F).

Adverse reactions may result from intravascular absorption of glycine. Large intravenous doses of glycine are known to cause salivation, nausea and lightheadedness. Other consequences of absorption of urologic irrigating solutions include fluid and electrolyte disturbances such as acidosis, electrolyte loss, marked diuresis, urinary retention, edema, dryness of mouth, thirst, dehydration, coma from hyponatremia, secondary hyponatremia due to fluid overload, and hyperammonemia with resultant coma and/or encephalopathy; cardiovascular disorders such as hypotension, tachycardia, angina-like pains; pulmonary disorders such as pulmonary congestion; and other general reactions such as blurred vision, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, rhinitis, chills, vertigo, backache, transient blindness and urticaria. Allergic reactions from glycine are unknown or exceedingly rare. Should any adverse reaction occur, discontinue the irrigant, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Glycine Irrigation, USP. It is also not known whether Glycine Irrigation, USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Glycine Irrigation, USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

In the event of overhydration or solute overload, re-evaluate the patient and institute appropriate corrective measures. See WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.

• Feb 6, 1978NDANDA016784B Braun
• Feb 22, 1980NDANDA018315Otsuka Icu Medcl
• May 30, 1980NDANDA017865Baxter Hlthcare
• Jul 20, 1984NDANDA019018B Braun
• Aug 23, 1984NDANDA018931Baxter Hlthcare
• Sep 6, 1985NDANDA019398Otsuka Icu Medcl
• Oct 17, 1986NDANDA019492Otsuka Icu Medcl
• Dec 19, 1991NDANDA020041Otsuka Icu Medcl

1. 1Nausea727.1%
2. 2Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease504.9%
3. 3Vomiting494.8%
4. 4Pneumonia464.5%
5. 5Pyrexia454.4%
6. 6Diarrhoea434.2%
7. 7Drug Ineffective403.9%
8. 8Dyspnoea403.9%
9. 9Condition Aggravated393.8%
10. 10Chills383.7%
11. 11Rash383.7%
12. 12Death373.6%
13. 13Fatigue373.6%
14. 14Asthenia363.5%
15. 15Off Label Use353.4%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Glycine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Particle Design via Lactosome-Based Polycarboxybetaine Modification and Initial Evaluation of the Accelerated Blood Clearance Phenomenon.
  Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin · 2026 · Takahashi R, Yamamoto Y, Saito Y, et al.
  PMID 42236221DOI 10.1248/bpb.b26-00081
• Morphological and Biochemical Insights Into the Renoprotective Effects of Combined N-Acetylcysteine and Glycine Treatment in Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy.
  Pharmacology research & perspectives · 2026 · Ejubović M, Belančić A, Lam YW, et al.
  PMID 42220095DOI 10.1002/prp2.70273
• Environmental toxicant glyphosate induces cardiotoxicity: New insights from network toxicology, integrated machine learning, molecular modeling and multidimensional bioinformatics analysis.
  Medicine · 2026 · Sun M, Wang Y, Tong R, et al.
  PMID 42216354DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000048974
• Roxadustat Ameliorates Thoracic Aortic Dissection by Activating HIF-1α-Mediated Mitophagy to Inhibit Ferroptosis.
  FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · 2026 · Zhao D, Chang Z, Han Q, et al.
  PMID 42201682DOI 10.1096/fj.202600149R
• Protective Strategies Against Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Toxicity: Mechanisms, Experimental Evidence, and Translational Limitations.
  Nutrients · 2026 · Karakuła KH, Sitarz R, Forma A, et al.
  PMID 42197035DOI 10.3390/nu18101573
• Effects of Glyphosate and Roundup(®) Herbicides on Cardiac and H9c2 Cells' Mitochondrial Respiration and Oxidative Stress.
  International journal of molecular sciences · 2026 · Rihani R, Charles AL, Oulehri W, et al.
  PMID 42196559DOI 10.3390/ijms27104583
• Sex-Specific sRNA Signatures in Rat Liver Reveal Divergent Alterations Following Perinatal Exposure to Glyphosate and Its Mixture with 2,4-D and Dicamba.
  International journal of molecular sciences · 2026 · Nechalioti PM, Kyrgiafini MA, Vardakas P, et al.
  PMID 42196204DOI 10.3390/ijms27104221
• Mycosporine-like Amino Acids Biosynthesis in Asterarcys sp. Driving by Phosphorus Limitation: Evidence from Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses.
  Marine drugs · 2026 · Wei L, Wu H, Wu J, et al.
  PMID 42188296DOI 10.3390/md24050161

The 10 most recently updated of 240 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Glycine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Glycine Supplementation Improves Cognitive Performance in Mexican Older Adults
  Completed · Interventional · 59 enrolled · Brenda Sarahí Beristain Lujano
  NCT07643675updated 2026-06-11
• Magnesium Bisglycinate in Major Depressive Disorder
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 84 enrolled · All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar
  NCT07633080updated 2026-06-08
• A Nasal Treatment for COVID-19
  Active not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 24 enrolled · Indiana University
  NCT05799521updated 2026-05-28
• BAC in Patient With Alzheimer's Disease or Vascular Dementia
  Withdrawn · Phase 2 · Interventional · 0 enrolled · Botanicure Co., Ltd.
  NCT02467413updated 2026-05-20
• Administering Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Transduced With a Murine T-Cell Receptor Recognizing the G12D Variant of Mutated RAS in HLA-A*11:01 Patients
  Terminated · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 5 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT03745326updated 2026-05-19
• Synaptic Mechanisms of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder
  Not yet recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 100 enrolled · Mclean Hospital
  NCT07593222updated 2026-05-18
• Comparing High-Protein and Low-Protein Multi-Ingredient Supplements for Body Composition and Performance in Elite Rugby Players
  Completed · Interventional · 20 enrolled · University of Taipei
  NCT07569770updated 2026-05-13
• Synaptic Mechanisms of Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation in Depression
  Recruiting · Early phase 1 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Mclean Hospital
  NCT07560878updated 2026-05-13
• Mexidol® Safety and Efficacy in Treatment of Hyperacute and Acute Ischemic Stroke
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 120 enrolled · Pharmasoft
  NCT07575984updated 2026-05-13
• Prevention With Ismigen of RTIs in Kids
  Not yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 224 enrolled · Lallemand Pharma AG
  NCT07578012updated 2026-05-11

Frequently asked questions

How does Glycine work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Biological Macromolecular Activity.

What is Glycine used for?

According to FDA labeling, Glycine carries indications including: 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP is indicated for use as irrigating fluid during transurethral prostatic resection and other transurethral surgical procedures.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Glycine?

Glycine is classified as Other irrigating solutions, Biological Macromolecular Activity, Glycine Activity Alteration, Metabolic Activity Alteration.

What are the brand names for Glycine?

Glycine is marketed under brand names including Aminosyn 10%, Sulfite-Free, Aminosyn 3.5 % M, Sulfite Free, Aminosyn 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free, Aminosyn 8.5%, Sulfite-Free, Aminosyn II 10 %, Aminosyn II 15%, Aminosyn II 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free, Aminosyn II 8.5 %, Sulfite-Free.

What are the contraindications for Glycine?

Glycine labeling lists contraindications including: NOT FOR INJECTION BY USUAL PARENTERAL ROUTES. Do not use in patients with anuria.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.