Tyrosine is an amino acid commonly found as a component in total parenteral nutrition. In animals it is synthesized from phenylalanine.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Tyrosine is produced in cells by hydroxylating the essential amino acid phenylalanine. This relationship is much like that between cysteine and methionine. Half of the phenylalanine required goes into the production of tyrosine; if the diet is rich in tyrosine itself, the requirements for phenylalanine are reduced by about 50%. The mechanism of L-tyrosine's antidepressant activity can be accounted for by the precursor role of L-tyrosine in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Elevated brain norepinephrine and dopamine levels are thought to be associated with antidepressant effects.
- Primary indication
- Tyrosine is claimed to act as an effective antidepressant, however results are mixed.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C9H11NO3 · 181.1885 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1975
- Also known as
- L-tyrosine
- Code names
- FEMA NO. 3736
- Brand names
Resolves to
OUYCCCASQSFEME-QMMMGPOBSA-NSMILESN[C@@H](CC1=CC=C(O)C=C1)C(O)=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 12, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Tyrosine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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