A liver illness that reduces brain function (hepatic encephalopathy). Most research suggests that L-ornithine-L-aspartate helps reduce symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with a liver disease called cirrhosis. L-ornithine-L-aspartate is taken by mouth or given with a needle. However, not all people who get hepatic encephalopathy have cirrhosis. L-ornithine-L-aspartate might not help reduce symptoms in people with other causes of hepatic encephalopathy.