Glutathione side effects and safe use

By the GlutaNex team · Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 sources cited

What are the serious side effects of glutathione?

Serious side effects are rare and usually signs of an allergic reaction: breathing problems or wheezing, a racing heart, rash or swelling, fever and swollen lymph nodes. The highest risk is with glutathione injections. Stop using it and get medical help straight away if these happen.

People with asthma should not inhale glutathione, as it can trigger wheezing. Concerns reported with skin-lightening injections are covered by Sonthalia, Daulatabad & Sarkar, IJDVL 2016.

What are the risks of taking glutathione?

Glutathione creams and short courses of tablets are usually well tolerated. Possible risks include stomach upset, bloating and allergic reactions. Injections carry the biggest risks: unknown ingredients, infection and serious reactions. Long-term safety of high doses, and safety in pregnancy, are not well studied.

The US FDA warning, 2015 covers injectable skin-lightening products. Talk to a doctor before taking any supplement.

Is glutathione safe for your liver?

Your liver naturally makes and uses glutathione, and short studies of oral glutathione found it generally safe. In one 12-week study, two people had temporary rises in liver tests that settled. Glutathione creams are not linked to liver problems. If you have liver disease, ask your doctor first.

Study: Weschawalit et al., 2017.

What will happen if I take glutathione daily?

Daily use of a glutathione cream is fine for most people and may gradually help skin look brighter and more even, with sunscreen. Daily oral doses in studies were well tolerated for 4 to 12 weeks, but long-term effects are not well known, so check with a doctor.

Results fade if you stop and skip sun protection. See how to use glutathione cream.

What to avoid when taking glutathione?

Avoid glutathione injections from salons or unlicensed sellers, high-dose supplements without medical advice, and inhaled glutathione if you have asthma. With creams, avoid layering other retinol or acid products the same night and never skip sunscreen. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or on chemotherapy.

Smoking and heavy drinking also use up the body's own glutathione.

What are the side effects of glutathione tablets?

Glutathione tablets usually cause no problems in short courses. When side effects happen they are mild: stomach cramps, bloating, loose stools or, rarely, an allergic reaction such as rash or itching. Stop taking them if you react, and speak to a doctor before starting.

Compare forms: cream vs tablets vs injections.

What are the side effects of glutathione on skin?

On skin, glutathione creams can cause mild tingling, redness or dryness at first, especially when combined with retinol or acids, and rarely a rash. Patch test before use and stop if irritation lasts. Patchy loss of skin colour has been reported with injections, not creams.

How to patch test is explained below.

Glutathione creams and face washes are generally well tolerated, but any skincare product can irritate some skin. The bigger safety concerns are with glutathione injections, not creams.

Creams and face washes

• Mild tingling, redness or dryness in the first days can happen with new products and usually settles.
• Redness, itching or burning that lasts is a reaction: stop using the product.
• Rash or swelling: stop at once and see a doctor.

In the 10-week study of a 2% glutathione lotion (Watanabe et al., 2014), one of 30 participants had mild redness for two days, which settled without stopping.

Glutathione injections

Injections are a medical procedure, not skincare. The US FDA warning, 2015 said injectable skin-lightening products may be unsafe, may contain unknown substances, and carry risks from unsafe injection practices, and that no injectable skin-lightening drug is approved. Never take glutathione injections from salons or unlicensed sellers.

How to patch test

1. Apply a little product behind the ear or on the inner arm.
2. Leave it for 24 hours.
3. No reaction? Start on the face, once a day.

Ask a doctor first if you

• are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• have eczema, rosacea or very sensitive skin;
• use prescription skin treatments;
• have patchy pigmentation that may be melasma.

See also: cream vs tablets vs injections

Side effects of glutathione tablets

Short studies of oral glutathione reported mostly mild effects such as itching or tiredness, which also appeared in placebo groups; in one 12-week study, two people had temporary changes in liver tests that settled (Weschawalit et al., 2017). Tablets are supplements: speak to a doctor before taking them.

Reported concerns with injections

The Indian dermatology review (Sonthalia, Daulatabad & Sarkar, IJDVL 2016) listed concerns reported or suspected with IV glutathione used for skin lightening, including patchy loss of colour on sun-exposed skin, possible effects on the liver's own glutathione, and risks from counterfeit products. It advised doctors not to use IV glutathione for skin lightening.

Side effects from other ingredients

Many glutathione creams also contain retinol, salicylic acid or vitamin C. These can cause dryness, peeling or tingling at first. Start 2 to 3 nights a week and use sunscreen every morning.

General information about cosmetic skincare, not medical advice. Results vary from person to person. See a dermatologist for persistent or changing pigmentation.