How Long Does Xyzal Take to Work? Plus, 5 More Xyzal FAQs
Xyzal is an antihistamine that can start working within an hour. However, its effectiveness depends on several factors. Learn more with these FAQs from GoodRx.
levocarnitine
Used for Carnitine Deficiency
Used for Carnitine Deficiency
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) is a prescription supplement used to treat low carnitine levels (called carnitine deficiency), which is usually caused by a genetic condition. It comes as a tablet or liquid you take by mouth several times a day. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Note: This page focuses on the prescription form. Levocarnitine is also available over the counter (OTC) as a supplement known as l-carnitine, but it isn’t FDA-approved to treat the same conditions.
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) is a carnitine supplement. It gives your body carnitine, a natural substance that helps turn fat into energy.
People with carnitine deficiency can't make energy the right way. Levocarnitine (Carnitor) helps replace carnitine and restore normal energy production.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Carnitor, Carnitor SF |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Dietary supplement |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
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: jerking of the arms and legs, stiff muscles, staring into space, loss of consciousness
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$98.13
GoodRx discount
$31.01
Pros and cons of Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
Pros
- Safe for 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 a fishy body odor
Pharmacist tips for Levocarnitine (Carnitor)
- Levocarnitine (Carnitor) can cause nausea and vomiting, especially right after you take it. Let your prescriber know if this concerns you. They might lower your dose or split it into smaller doses.
- Some people taking levocarnitine (Carnitor) notice a fishy body odor. Speak to your prescriber if this is bothersome.
- You might need blood tests while taking levocarnitine (Carnitor) to check how well it’s working. Your prescriber could change your dose based on the results.
- Tell your prescriber if you take warfarin. Levocarnitine (Carnitor) can interact with warfarin and raise your risk for bleeding. You might need more frequent international normalized ratio (INR) checks.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There isn’t enough information to know if levocarnitine (Carnitor) is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to your prescriber to understand the risks and benefits.
Tips for the levocarnitine (Carnitor) liquid:
- 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 medication.
- If the taste is hard to tolerate, tell your prescriber. They might recommend mixing your dose with other beverages or liquid food to ease the taste.
- Take your dose slowly and space doses evenly throughout the day. This can help reduce stomach side effects.
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
Serious allergic reactions to levocarnitine (Carnitor) can happen, including life-threatening problems like anaphylaxis. Call 911 if this happens. Tell your prescriber right away if you have hives, a rash, swelling of your lips or tongue, or trouble breathing after using levocarnitine (Carnitor).
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Taking other medications that raise your risk of having a seizure
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) might raise your risk of seizures, especially if you have a history of seizures or a condition like epilepsy. Some medications can also raise your risk of seizures, so discuss all medications you take with both your prescriber and your pharmacist before starting levocarnitine (Carnitor). If you have a seizure while taking this medication, tell your prescriber right away.
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) dosage
The average cost for 90 tablets of 330mg of Levocarnitine (Carnitor) is $31.01 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.40% off the average retail price of $98.13.
Interactions between Levocarnitine (Carnitor) and other drugs
Levocarnitine (Carnitor) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Levocarnitine (Carnitor). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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
How much does Levocarnitine (Carnitor) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
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