L-Carnitine
Generic medicine reference
Not yet clinically reviewed
This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Overview
L-Carnitine is amino acid derivative. It occurs naturally as an essential co-factor of fatty acid metabolism, which is synthesized endogenously or obtained from dietary source. Chemically L-Carnitine is identified as 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium hydroxide. L-Carnitine is involved in energy metabolism. L-Carnitine is used to treat carnitine deficiency. L-Carnitine is also used in persons with abnormal plasma lipoprotein patterns. L-Carnitine is administered orally and intravenously.
Indications
L-Carnitine is primarily indicated in conditions like Myopathic carnitine deficiency, Primary carnitine deficiency, Secondary carnitine deficiency, Systemic carnitine deficiency, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Myocardial ischemia, Skeletal muscle ischemia, Valproate-induced hepatotoxicity.
Contraindications
L-Carnitine is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity.
Side Effects
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by L-Carnitine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, Drug-related body odor.
Warnings
L-carnitine should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy or lactation. It should be used with caution in patients with any pre-existing illness or allergy. Patients with severe renal impairment should not be given high oral doses of levo carnitine.
High Risk Groups
Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, patients suffering from Liver Malfunction, and Neonates. If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.
Adult Dosage
1 g (1 (1)) 8 hourly PO/IV — not to exceed 3 g/d
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Blood carnitine concentrations may be decreased in children who are concomitantly taking the anticonvulsants carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or valproic acid. Children concomitantly taking pivampicillin and other pivalate-conjugated antibiotics may also have reduced blood carnitine concentration levels.
Storage
Tab, Liq, Caps Store Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Heat.
Available Brands in Pakistan
No brands are recorded for this generic.