 [ Symptoms ] how much l lysine should be taken to shorten a herpes out break my doc wont be in till thurs but i need something to help now i have lysine 500mg how many can i take per day [ Disease ] l lysine has not been scientifically proven to shorten the course of herpes even though many people like you will take it i am sorry but i can not help you out with the dosage since i do not use it with my patients