L-Carnitine / Levocarnitine / Carnitine
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Molecule Summary
| Uses | Carnitine Deficiency |
| Therapy | Nutritional Supplement |
| Side Effects | Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal Cramps |
Assurance
available
Regulated
Molecule Description
Levocarnitine is a diet supplement used to prevent and treat low blood levels of Carnitine in children, infants and newborns below 12 years of age. Carnitine is an amino acid useful for metabolism in our body.
Uses
Primary Carnitine deficiency is a condition in which a gene (a part of DNA) defect affects the uptake of Carnitine into the cells from blood. Secondary Carnitine deficiency is caused due to low Carnitine intake (malnutrition) or reduced amounts of Carnitine in the body due to liver, kidney (severe) and digestive diseases (that cause poor absorption), diseases that affect the mitochondria (cell structures vital for energy production), metabolic disorders (related to metabolism of fats and acids) or certain medicines like Valproate.
Contraindications
When should one not use L-Carnitine / Levocarnitine / Carnitine
Allergy to Levocarnitine or any other ingredient used in the medicine.
Side effects
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Mild stomach upset (stomach cramps or loose motions)
- The child may feel sick (mild in nature)
- Fishy smell from the body due to the medicine (not very common)
- It may take longer time than usual for the blood to clot if you are taking any anti-clotting medicines like Warfarin
Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
Breast Feeding
Driving
Alcohol
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- Any severe kidney disease (requiring dialysis)
- A person with diabetes under treatment
- Intolerance to sugars
- Is taking any medicines to prevent blood clotting (Warfarin, etc.)
Mode of Action
How Does It Work?
Carnitine is an amino acid whose primary role is to convert fat from the foods we eat into energy. Deficiency of Carnitine can result in muscle weakness in hips, shoulders, hands, legs, neck, face and heart. Levocarnitine works by supplementing the deficient Carnitine in the body in a readily absorbable form.
Interactions
Interactions with other medicines
- Levocarnitine interacts with blood thinners (anti-coagulant medicines) like Warfarin and delays blood clotting
- Valproic Acid taken for seizures can cause Carnitine deficiency
Interactions with food items
No significant interactions but it is advisable to take Levocarnitine 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals with water or fruit juice.
Dosage
Overdose
Accidental overdose may not be harmful. But extreme overdose can cause complications and your child may require hospitalization. Inform your doctor in any case.
Missed a Dose
Take the missed dose as early as you remember. Check the time interval between 2 dosages prescribed by the doctor, ensure not to take two dosages close to each other (6-8 hours gap between two doses is advisable). Skip the missed dose and do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.
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