Enhanced pre-workout performance
Superior to pure citrulline for exercise performance and endurance
Citrulline Malate
Superior pre-workout form of citrulline combined with malic acid for enhanced nitric oxide production and reduced muscle fatigue
Scientific nameL-Citrulline bound to malic acid
FormulaC6H13N3O3·C4H6O5
Molecular weight309.3 g/mol
CAS54940-97-5
90
absorption score
9
safety / 10
30
USD per month
4
documented interactions
Check it against something
Citrulline Malate with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
82
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimSuperior muscle pumps
Enhanced muscle blood flow and exercise-induced pumps
Reduced exercise fatigue
Decreases muscle fatigue and extends workout capacity
Enhanced exercise capacity
Increases total work output and training volume
Faster recovery between sets
Reduced rest time needed between high-intensity efforts
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Creatine Monohydrate
Strength & power enhancement
3-5g
A
95%
Calcium
Bone health & muscle function
1,000-1,200 mg
A
30%
Magnesium Glycinate
Superior absorption sleep & muscle support
200-600 mg
A
90%
Whey Protein
Muscle growth & recovery
25-75g
A
95%
Creatine HCL
Enhanced muscle building
1.5-3g
B
98%
Oregano Oil
Powerful respiratory antimicrobial
100-300mg
B
85%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Citrulline Malate + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Vitamin D3
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Citrulline Malate + Beta-Alanine
Complementary fatigue reduction mechanisms
Works better together
82
Citrulline Malate + Creatine Monohydrate
Enhanced power output and muscle pumps
Works better together
82
Citrulline Malate + Beetroot Powder
Additive nitric oxide production
Works better together
86
Dosage
Daily6-8g
Pre workout performance6-8g 30-45 minutes before exercise
Strength training8g pre-workout
Endurance exercise6-8g before training
MaintenanceNot typically used for maintenance
When to expect it
First Effects30-60 minutes for acute performance benefits
Peak Benefits1-2 hours post-consumption for optimal workout performance
Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - supplemental compound
Toxicity OnsetVery rare, mainly digestive upset with excessive doses
How to measure it
MarkerPlasma citrulline, arginine, or lactate levels
OptimalNot typically measured for this compound
Deficient belowNot applicable
FrequencyPerformance testing more relevant than blood work
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 1 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
1 reports
of 1 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
100%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Life Threatening1
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Very high 90 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
6300 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.02 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Beta Alanine
Complementary fatigue reduction mechanisms
Different pathways for endurance enhancement · level A
+
Creatine Monohydrate
Enhanced power output and muscle pumps
Complementary energy and blood flow pathways · level A
+
Beetroot Extract
Additive nitric oxide production
Different NO pathways provide synergistic effects · level BWhat not to take with Citrulline Malate
!
High Caffeine Doses
May counteract some vasodilation benefits
Caffeine can cause vasoconstriction · mild significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance blood pressure lowering effects
What to do: Monitor blood pressure during exercise
May enhance effects and risk of low blood pressure
What to do: Use caution, avoid high doses
Available forms
Citrulline Malate (2:1 ratio): Enhanced performance, Reduced fatigue, Superior pumps, Proven in athletes
Food sources
Watermelon
Natural citrulline only, no malate · 85
Apples
Natural malate source, no citrulline · 75
Tart cherries
Natural malate source · 75
Too little
- Not applicable - this is a supplemental performance compound:
- Suboptimal exercise performance without supplementation
- Reduced muscle pumps during training
- Faster onset of exercise fatigue
- Lower training volume capacity
Too much
- Excellent safety profile:
- Mild digestive upset with very large doses
- Potential blood pressure effects with medications
- Generally very well tolerated by athletes
Who benefits most
strength-athletes
Enhanced power output and reduced fatigue during strength training
6-8g 30-45 minutes pre-workout
bodybuilders-muscle-pumps
Superior muscle pumps and vascularity during training
6-8g pre-workout
endurance-athletes
Enhanced exercise capacity and reduced fatigue
6-8g before training
powerlifters
Improved power output and training volume
8g pre-workout
crossfit-athletes
Enhanced performance across varied exercise modalities
6-8g before trainingWhere to buy it
Look for Citrulline Malate at 6-8g per serving. The form that matters here is Citrulline Malate (2:1 ratio).
Find on Amazon
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How it works
- Citrulline converts to arginine bypassing liver metabolism
- Enhanced arginine production leads to increased nitric oxide synthesis
- Malate supports Krebs cycle and ATP production
- Improved muscle blood flow enhances nutrient delivery
- Reduced lactate accumulation during high-intensity exercise
- Enhanced metabolic efficiency through malate component
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Superior to pure citrulline for exercise performance enhancement
- Effective for reducing muscle fatigue and increasing training volume
- Enhances muscle pumps and vascularity during resistance training
- Well-tolerated by athletic populations with minimal side effects
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Citrulline Malate?
Documented effects: Enhanced pre-workout performance; Superior muscle pumps; Reduced exercise fatigue; Enhanced exercise capacity. Superior to pure citrulline for exercise performance and endurance
How much Citrulline Malate should you take per day?
The common daily range is 6-8g. By goal — pre workout performance: 6-8g 30-45 minutes before exercise; strength training: 8g pre-workout; endurance exercise: 6-8g before training; maintenance: Not typically used for maintenance.
When is the best time to take Citrulline Malate?
Pre workout. First effects are typically reported within 30-60 minutes for acute performance benefits.
What are the side effects of Citrulline Malate?
At excessive doses: Excellent safety profile:, Mild digestive upset with very large doses, Potential blood pressure effects with medications, Generally very well tolerated by athletes. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.
What should you not take with Citrulline Malate?
Separate it from High Caffeine Doses by two to four hours. May counteract some vasodilation benefits
Does Citrulline Malate interact with medications?
Documented interactions with blood-pressure-medications, pde5-inhibitors-viagra. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Citrulline Malate?
The marker is Plasma citrulline, arginine, or lactate levels, optimal range Not typically measured for this compound. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable - this is a supplemental performance compound:, Suboptimal exercise performance without supplementation, Reduced muscle pumps during training, Faster onset of exercise fatigue.