levocarnitine
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) is a prescription medication used to treat low carnitine levels (carnitine deficiency), a condition where your body isn't able to turn fat from food into energy. It's available as a tablet or oral solution that's taken by mouth multiple times a day. Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Levocarnitine is also available over-the-counter as a supplement. The OTC version is more commonly known as l-carnitine and it isn't FDA-approved to treat the same conditions as prescription levocarnitine (Carnitor).
What is Levocarnitine (Carnitor)?
What is Levocarnitine (Carnitor) used for?
- Low carnitine levels (caused by genetics or other medical conditions)
How Levocarnitine (Carnitor) works
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) supplements the body with carnitine, a natural substance that helps turn the fats we eat into energy. Without carnitine, your body can't make energy properly for your heart and muscles, and this will damage these muscles.
Drug facts
Side effects of Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
Less Common Side Effects
- Body odor
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: rash, hives, facial swelling
- Seizures
The following Levocarnitine (Carnitor) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
Rare
Seizures
Some side effects 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:
Less common
Abdominal discomfort
body odor
dizziness
impaired vision
loss of appetite or weight
swelling in hands, lower legs, and feet
tingling sensation
weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
Pros
- Can be taken by infants and young children
- Available as a tablet, oral liquid, and IV infusion
- Sugar-free liquid available for people with diabetes
Cons
- Can cause nausea and diarrhea
- Need to take multiple times a day
- Large doses might cause an unpleasant body odor
Pharmacist tips for Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
- Levocarnitine (Carnitor) can cause nausea and vomiting right after you take it. Let your provider know if these side effects are severe or bothersome for you. They can ease your side effects by lowering your dose of levocarnitine (Carnitor) or splitting your dose into smaller doses to be taken throughout the day.
- If you're using the oral liquid form of levocarnitine (Carnitor), be sure to use a medication dose cup, spoon, or syringe to measure out your dose. Using household teaspoons might cause you to take the wrong amount of levocarnitine (Carnitor).
- If you're taking the oral liquid form of levocarnitine (Carnitor) and have a hard time swallowing it because of the taste, let your provider know. They can recommend for you to mix your dose with other beverages or liquid food to ease the taste.
- Your provider might order blood tests to see how well levocarnitine (Carnitor) is working for you. Your provider might adjust your dose of the medication depending on the results of your blood tests.
- Levocarnitine (Carnitor) can affect how warfarin (Coumadin) works in your body. Make sure your provider knows if you also take warfarin (Coumadin) before you begin taking this medication. You might need to have your international normalized ratio (INR) checked more often to see if your dose of warfarin (Coumadin) is safe for you.
Common questions about Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
Prescription levocarnitine (Carnitor) is used to treat carnitine deficiency, or low levels of carnitine. Carnitine is found in many foods and also naturally produced by your body. It helps the body turn food into energy that's important for your brain, muscles, and heart to work properly.
Low levels of carnitine can be caused by a few different conditions. Some people are born with a rare genetic condition called systemic primary carnitine deficiency (CDSP) where their bodies don't make enough carnitine to help them turn fats from food into energy. Other people don't have enough carnitine in their body because of poor nutrition or certain health conditions, such as kidney or liver problems. This is called secondary carnitine deficiency.
Fish, milk, and red meat are some of the best dietary sources of carnitine. Many people who don't eat these products, such as vegetarians or vegans, still produce enough carnitine naturally in their bodies and absorb it from the other proteins they eat (e.g., avocados, beans). Carnitine deficiency isn't common and is more likely to affect people with severe liver or kidney problems.
The "l-" in l-carnitine stands for "levo-." So l-carnitine is the same as levocarnitine. But keep in mind that there are both prescription and OTC versions of levocarnitine. Only prescription levocarnitine (Carnitor) are FDA-approved to treat medical conditions related to having low carnitine levels. OTC levocarnitine are considered dietary supplements and they're not regulated in the same way by the FDA.
The manufacturer of levocarnitine (Carnitor) doesn't say whether the tablets can be crushed or not. If you or your infant are having trouble swallowing levocarnitine (Carnitor) tablets, ask your provider about switching you to the oral liquid, which can be mixed with a drink or liquid food (e.g., smoothie).
Yes. All forms of levocarnitine (Carnitor) are available as generics in the United States. If you're not sure about which form of levocarnitine (Carnitor) to use, ask your provider or pharmacist for guidance.
There's not enough data to say whether levocarnitine (Carnitor) is safe to use in human pregnancy. Because of this, have a conversation with your provider first about the risks and benefits of taking levocarnitine (Carnitor) if your carnitine levels are low during pregnancy.
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Risks and warnings for Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
Severe allergic reactions to levocarnitine (Carnitor) are possible, including life-threatening problems like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Call 911 if this happens. If you notice hives, a rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using levocarnitine (Carnitor), call your healthcare provider right away.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Taking other medications that raise your risk of having a seizure
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) raises your risk of having seizures, especially if you have a history of seizures or a seizure condition like epilepsy. There are many other medications that can also raise your risk of seizures, so be sure to discuss all medications you take with both your provider and your pharmacist before starting levocarnitine (Carnitor). If you do experience a seizure at any point while taking this medication, let your provider know right away.
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) dosage
Typical dosage for Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
Tablets
- Adults: The typical dose is to take 990 mg by mouth two to three times a day.
- Infants and children: Your child's provider will determine your child's dose based on their body weight. The typical dose ranges from 50 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight by mouth daily, split into smaller doses and given throughout the day. The maximum daily dose is 3 grams.
Oral liquid Each 10 mL of solution contains 10 grams of levocarnitine.
- Adults: The typical dose is to take 10 mL to 30 mL by mouth daily, evenly split into smaller doses and taken every 3 to 4 hours.
- Infants and children (dose based on weight): Your child's provider will determine your child's dose based on their body weight. The typical starting dose is a total of 0.5 mL/kg of body weight by mouth daily (maximum 30 mL daily), evenly split into smaller doses and taken every 3 to 4 hours.
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) is also available as an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion that's administered by a healthcare provider in a hospital setting.
Interactions between Levocarnitine (Carnitor) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acenocoumarol
- Warfarin
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