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L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring substance that the body needs for energy.
L-Carnitine is used to treat carnitine deficiency.
L-Carnitine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
To make sure L-Carnitine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
a history of seizures; or
if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
L-Carnitine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether levocarnitine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using L-Carnitine.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The liquid medicine can be taken alone or mixed with a beverage or soft food. Sip or eat the mixture slowly.
L-Carnitine should be taken at evenly spaced intervals every 3 or 4 hours. This medicine works best if you take it with a meal or within 30 minutes after a meal.
While using L-Carnitine, you may need frequent blood tests.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
a seizure (convulsions).
Common side effects may include:
stomach pain;
nausea, vomiting; or
diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other drugs may interact with levocarnitine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com L-carnitine (www.drugs.com/mtm/l-carnitine.html).
Note: This document contains side effect information about levocarnitine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name L-Carnitine.
Applies to levocarnitine: capsule, solution, tablet
Along with its needed effects, levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in L-Carnitine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking levocarnitine:
More common
Less common
Rare
Some side effects of levocarnitine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Applies to levocarnitine: injectable solution, oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet
Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (35%), abdominal pain (21%), vomiting (21%), nausea (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal disorder, melena
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abdominal cramps
Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), dizziness (18%), paresthesia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertonia, vertigo, taste perversion
Frequency not reported: Seizures (with or without pre-existing seizure activity), increase in seizure frequency and/or severity
There are reports from clinical trials of significant hypertriglyceridemia associated with high doses of levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in L-Carnitine) (3 g/day) given to uremic dialysis patients.
Very common (10% or more): Hypercalcemia (15%), hypervolemia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, hyperkalemia
Very common (10% or more): Pain (35%), flu syndrome (29%), chest pain (15%), accidental injury (12%), asthenia (12%), fever (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, weight decrease, weight increase
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Body odor, International Normalized Ratio (INR) increased
Very common (10% or more): Injection site reaction (38%)
Musculoskeletal side effects, in chronic hemodialysis patients, for levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in L-Carnitine) in relation to placebo therapy have included asthenia (8% to 12% vs 8%) and leg cramps (4% to 8% vs 13%). Mild myasthenia has occurred in uremic patients receiving D,L-carnitine (but not levocarnitine).
There have been reports from clinical trials of significant increases in platelet aggregation associated with high doses of levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in L-Carnitine) (3 g/day) given to hemodialysis patients.
Very common (10% or more): Anemia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Kidney failure (chronic hemodialysis patients)
Common (1% to 10%): Parathyroid disorder
Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis (27%), cough increase (18%), dyspnea (11%), rhinitis (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, sinusitis
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
Common (1% to 10%): Amblyopia, eye disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (21%), hypotension (19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, cardiovascular disorder, electrocardiogram abnormal, palpitations, tachycardia, vascular disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Common (1% to 10%): Depression, anxiety, drug dependence, insomnia
Very common (10% or more): Infection (24%)
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com L-carnitine (www.drugs.com/mtm/l-carnitine.html).
March 28, 2020
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