J.Nutr.Health Aging 2010;14(3):224-230. A double-blinded, crossover study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. View abstract. (Cruciani et al., 2004). The therapeutic effect of L-carnitine in patients with exercise-induced stable angina: a controlled study. Weigel, C., Kiener, C., Meier, N., Schmid, P., Rauh, M., Rascher, W., and Knerr, I. Carnitine status in early-treated children, adolescents and young adults with phenylketonuria on low phenylalanine diets. Cetinkaya, A., Bulbuloglu, E., Kantarceken, B., Ciralik, H., Kurutas, E. B., Buyukbese, M. A., and Gumusalan, Y. Pignatelli, P., Tellan, G., Marandola, M., Carnevale, R., Loffredo, L., Schillizzi, M., Proietti, M., Violi, F., Chirletti, P., and Delogu, G. Effect of L-carnitine on oxidative stress and platelet activation after major surgery. Obes Rev. Intravenous dl-carnitine fails to increase the double-product during atrial pacing in patients with effort angina. [A systematic review of the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products' ingredients]. 2008;42(11):1686-1691. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Safety, tolerability and symptom outcomes associated with L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cancer, fatigue, and carnitine deficiency: a phase I/II study. Liu J, Head E, Kuratsune H, et al. View abstract. Nephron 55 (1990): 28-32. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. View abstract. While it may aid in weight loss for obese individuals or older adults, a thorough diet and exercise regimen must be in place first. View abstract. Huang, Y., Huang, L. C., and Zhan, F. Clinical analysis of therapeutic effect of levocarnitine on dialysis patients. Spiering, B. J Androl 2012;33(2):170-175. L-carnitine is best known as a fat burner but the overall research is mixed. Pryor, J. L., Glass, S. L., Campagnone, J., and Sigman, M. Randomized double blind placebo controlled trial of carnitine for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Effects of L-propionylcarnitine on ischemia-induced myocardial dysfunction in men with angina pectoris. 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[Ref], 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[Ref], 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. Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C, Calvani M, et al. View abstract. Pharmacokinetic comparisons of two acetyl-L-carnitine formulations in healthy Korean volunteers. Clin Genet. Can.J Public Health 2008;99(4):276-280. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. View abstract. 2010;25(8):954-960. Sigman, M., Glass, S., Campagnone, J., and Pryor, J. L. Carnitine for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ramos AC, Barrucand L, Elias PR, et al. More research is needed to confirm the benefits of L-carnitine in a younger, more active population. Long-term acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in Alzheimer's Disease. This makes L-carnitine a conditionally essential nutrient (6). View abstract. Acute systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic effects of L-carnitine in patients with cirrhosis. View abstract. Agarwal A, Sengupta P, Durairajanayagam D. Role of L-carnitine in female infertility. View abstract. Jacobs, P. L. and Goldstein, E. R. Long-term glycine propionyl-l-carnitine supplemention and paradoxical effects on repeated anaerobic sprint performance. A multicentre, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial. Carnitine, valproate, and toxicity. This article examines the potential risks and benefits of L-carnitine supplements and explains how this nutrient functions in your body. 2012;7(11):1836-1842. Clin Ther 2012;34(8):1674-1682. 2008;27(3):253-259. Expert.Opin.Investig.Drugs 2008;17(6):827-843. View abstract. Xu XQ, Jing ZC, Jiang X, et al. Proc Assoc Am Physicians 1997;109:146-53. Chan, Y. C., Tse, M. L., and Lau, F. L. Two cases of valproic acid poisoning treated with L-carnitine. Micic S, Lalic N, Djordjevic D, et al. L-carnitine may also reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes and its associated risk factors (52, 53, 54). 2009;48(5):587-596. View abstract. View abstract. Carnitine deficiency during valproic acid treatment. Hurot JM, Cucherat M, Haugh M, Fouque D. Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a systematic review. 2019 Apr;27(4):1491-1496. View abstract. Kidney Int 1999;69:93-106. Preliminary observations on the use of propionyl-L-carnitine in combination with sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes. Available for Android and iOS devices. 2012;13(2):285-293. View abstract. Carnitine in the therapy of dyslipidemic patients. View abstract. Scarpini E, Sacilotto G, Baron P, et al. Circ.J 2008;72(6):926-931. View abstract. J Diabetes Complications 1999;13:251-3. Moretti S, Alesse E, Di Marzio L, et al. Yet, there are a few known side effects that include agitation, insomnia and nausea. [The impact of L-carnitine administration on the serum level of myocardium injury markers in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning]. Signorelli, S. S., Fatuzzo, P., Rapisarda, F., Neri, S., Ferrante, M., Oliveri, Conti G., Fallico, R., Di, Pino L., Pennisi, G., Celotta, G., and Massimiliano, A. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 6, 2022. Effect of L-carnitine on health-related quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004;1033:42-51. Some research suggests that L-carnitine may help prevent or reduce symptoms of an overactive thyroid, such as insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations, and tremors. Multiple studies have shown that when used, L-carnitine can help reduce the high blood pressure, which along with oxidative stress, serves as one of the main risk factors for heart disease, thus reducing the risk of this horrifying disease and improving the patients' heart health. View abstract. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. View abstract. View abstract. Chao, H. H., Chen, C. H., Liu, J. C., Lin, J. W., Wong, K. L., and Cheng, T. H. L-Carnitine attenuates angiotensin II-induced proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts: role of NADPH oxidase inhibition and decreased sphingosine-1-phosphate generation. 2007;26(1):93-94. Note: This document contains side effect information about levocarnitine. View abstract. [Use of L-carnitine before percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration-intracytoplasmic sperm injection for obstructive azoospermia]. Expert.Opin.Pharmacother. Long-term l-carnitine treatment of chronic anaemia of patients with end-stage renal failure. L-Carnosine (-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide of the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine. Nefrologia. View abstract. Carnitine deficiency induced by pivampicillin and pivmecillinam therapy. Zwickler, T., Lindner, M., Aydin, H. I., Baumgartner, M. R., Bodamer, O. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. View abstract. Zhonghua Nei Ke.Za Zhi. Hum Reprod Update 1996;2:87-102. 2006;8(3-4):404-416. Effect of PLC on functional parameters and oxidative profile in type 2 diabetes-associated PAD. View abstract. People with depression have low blood levels of a substance called acetyl-L-carnitine, according to a Stanford University School of Medicine scientist and her collaborators in a multicenter study. Koeth RA, Wang Z, Levison BS, Buffa JA, Org E, Sheehy BT, Britt EB, Fu X, Wu Y, Li L, Smith JD, DiDonato JA, Chen J, Li H, Wu GD, Lewis JD, Warrier M, Brown JM, Krauss RM, Tang WH, Bushman FD, Lusis AJ, Hazen SL. Thom H, Carter PE, Cole GF, et al. 2006;8(5 Pt 1):503-507. View abstract. Prog Retin Eye Res. Preventive effect of L-carnitine on scar formation during acute pyelonephritis: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. View abstract. Imbe A, Tanimoto K, Inaba Y, et al. Quatraro, A., Roca, P., Donzella, C., Acampora, R., Marfella, R., and Giugliano, D. Acetyl-L-carnitine for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy. 2010;13(2):145-147. View abstract. View abstract. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. Circ Rep 2019;1(11):508-516. 2007;29(8):517-530. View abstract. For most individuals, the nausea and vomiting will be relatively mild. View abstract. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. Zhonghua Nan.Ke.Xue. The use of CAM by women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. CNS.Drugs 2007;21 Suppl 1:25-30. The role of oral L-carnitine therapy in chronic hemodialysis patients. (20,39) Since L-carnitine has a central role in fat metabolism and has significant antioxidant properties as well, carnitine supplementation has been investigated as a treatment option in the management of type 2 diabetes. View abstract. View abstract. Tamamogullari N, Silig Y, Icagasioglu S, Atalay A. Carnitine deficiency in diabetes mellitus complications. Watanabe, S., Ajisaka, R., Masuoka, T., Yamanouchi, T., Saitou, T., Toyama, M., Takeyasu, N., Sakamoto, K., and Sugishita, Y. View abstract. Benefits of L-carnitine. Epilepsia 1996;37:687-9. View abstract. Pola P, Savi M, Grilli M, and et al. 1. European multicenter study on propionyl-L-carnitine in intermittent claudication. Harper, P., Elwin, C. E., and Cederblad, G. Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral bolus doses of L-carnitine in healthy subjects. Lu, S. M., Li, X., Zhang, H. B., Hu, J. M., Yan, J. H., Liu, J. L., and Chen, Z. J. View abstract. Brass EP. Thomas, S., Fischer, F. P., Mettang, T., Pauli-Magnus, C., Weber, J., and Kuhlmann, U. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019;147(1):59-64. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.12902. View abstract. View abstract. Tarighat, Esfanjani A., Mahdavi, R., Ebrahimi, Mameghani M., Talebi, M., Nikniaz, Z., and Safaiyan, A. Dal Negro R, Pomari G, Zoccatelli O, and et al. Hauck, E. W., Diemer, T., Schmelz, H. U., and Weidner, W. A critical analysis of nonsurgical treatment of Peyronie's disease. L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Systematic review of pharmacological treatments in fragile X syndrome. Molfino, A., Cascino, A., Conte, C., Ramaccini, C., Rossi, Fanelli F., and Laviano, A. Caloric restriction and L-carnitine administration improves insulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose metabolism. 1990;71(5):520-528. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Pediatrics 1994;93:893-5. View abstract. The effect of enteral carnitine administration in humans. JPEN J Parenter.Enteral Nutr 1990;14(5):448-453. Int.J Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab 2011;21(5):385-397. As a supplement, acetyl-L-carnitine is usually considered safe when taken as directed. For these reasons, L-carnitine supplements are only necessary in special cases, such as disease treatment. Zeitschrift fr Orthomolekulare Medizin 2009;7(3):22-24. Anemia and carnitine supplementation in hemodialyzed patients. View abstract. Med.Sci Monit. Colombani P, Wenk C, Kunz I, et al. Effects of wuzi yanzong liquids combing with L-carnitine on oligospermia and asthenospermia. View abstract. 1987;24(4):231-234. View abstract. Onofrj M, Fulgente T, Melchionda D, et al. Touati, G., Valayannopoulos, V., Mention, K., de, Lonlay P., Jouvet, P., Depondt, E., Assoun, M., Souberbielle, J. C., Rabier, D., Ogier de, Baulny H., and Saudubray, J. M. Methylmalonic and propionic acidurias: management without or with a few supplements of specific amino acid mixture. Indian J Clin Biochem 1992;7:19-21. Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Protective role of carnitine in breast cancer via decreasing arginase activity and increasing nitric oxide. Eur J Appl Physiol 2005;95(5-6):431-435. 2010;34(3):295-299. 2010;78(2):191-194. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. J Inherit.Metab Dis 2008;31 Suppl 2:S453-S456. Int Psychoger 1998;10:193-203. J Am Coll Nutr. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. The equivalent dosage range for other forms of L-carnitine are as follows: 630-2,500mg (ALCAR), 1,000-4,000mg . Nuesch R, Rossetto M, Martina B. Bipolar.Disord. randomized, multicenter open-label trials. Res Pharm Sci. Clin Physiol 1995;15(5):417-423. Although the cause of depression is unclear, scientists have hypothesized that depression may be partly caused by the overactivation of the HPA axis - the part of the nervous system that responds to stress. View abstract. View abstract. View abstract. 2005;25(7):470-477. The word, "carnitine" comes from the Latin word "carnus," meaning meat, because it was first isolated from meat in 1905. View abstract. Role of free L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in post-gonadal maturation of mammalian spermatozoa. In an eight-week study in 38 women who exercised four times per week, there was no difference in weight loss between those who took L-carnitine and those who didnt (24). Clin Exp.Immunol. Faria, C. C., Mota, J. F., Paula Ravagnani, F. C., and Burini, R. C. [The supplementation of L-carnitine does not promote alterations in the resting metabolic rate and in the use of energetic substrates in physically active individuals]. 2007;86(1):31-34. Hum.Reprod. Cao, Y., Wang, Y. X., Liu, C. J., Wang, L. X., Han, Z. W., and Wang, C. B. Shahidi M, Hashemi SR, Fattahi N, et al. 2010;16(6):504-509. Bartels GL, Remme WJ, den Hartog FR, et al. El-Metwally, T. H., Hamed, E. A., Ahmad, A. R., and Mohamed, N. A. Dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure: effects of L-carnitine supplementation. Haghighatdoost F, Jabbari M, Hariri M. The effect of L-carnitine on inflammatory mediators: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Fernandez, C. and Proto, C. [L-carnitine in the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia. View abstract. 2012;2:CD006659. 2008;28(8):495-500. Clin Mol Hepatol. L-acetylcarnitine (L-AC) (Branigen) in the long term symptomatic treatment of senile dementia. Coto V, D'Alessandro L, Grattarola G, and et al. Additionally, the risk of deficiency is higher for those with diseases like cirrhosis and kidney disease. Sulkers, E. J., Lafeber, H. N., Degenhart, H. J., Przyrembel, H., Schlotzer, E., and Sauer, P. J. Prolonged moderate-intensity exercise without and with L-carnitine supplementation in patients with MCAD deficiency. Biol.Neonate 1987;51(4):185-193. Milazzo, L., Menzaghi, B., Caramma, I., Nasi, M., Sangaletti, O., Cesari, M., Zanone, Poma B., Cossarizza, A., Antinori, S., and Galli, M. Effect of antioxidants on mitochondrial function in HIV-1-related lipoatrophy: a pilot study. 2010;5(8):e12140. Wu, Z. M., Lu, X., Wang, Y. W., Sun, J., Tao, J. W., Yin, F. H., and Cheng, H. J. El-Beshlawy, A., Youssry, I., El-Saidi, S., El, Accaoui R., Mansi, Y., Makhlouf, A., and Taher, A.