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Levocarnitine Brand Names- ACTICARNITINE | Carnitor
What is Levocarnitine
Levocarnitine is synthesized in the liver from the amino acids methionine and lysine. This naturally occurring substance is found in all mammalian tissues, especially striated muscle, and is required in energy metabolism, such as the oxidation of fatty acids, facilitating the aerobic metabolism of carbohydrates, and enhancing the excretion of certain organic acids.
Only the L isomer of carnitine is naturally present in the biologic systemCommercially, carnitine is available as both a prescription and non-prescription product.
The prescription version is levocarnitine, while most dietary supplements contain D,L-carnitine which is commonly sold in health food stores.
Levocarnitine has been used in the treatment of primary and secondary carnitine deficiency in adults and pediatric patients, including neonates. Other uses have included dilated cardiomyopathy in adults and children, valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity in children, and hyperlipoproteinemia.
It has been designated an orphan drug for a variety of conditions. Its use in alcohol induced fatty liver, Down’s syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome has shown varying results. Some athletes use carnitine supplements to increase exercise performance, however, the concept of carnitine loading does not appear to be very effective.
Further, D,L-carnitine competitively inhibits levocarnitine.
This inhibition may lead to a deficiency.
Oral prescription forms of levocarnitine were first approved by the FDA in 1985 and an injection was FDA-approved in 1992.
Indications
- acute myocardial infarction
- Alzheimer’s disease
- cardiomyopathy
- carnitine deficiency
- ergogenesis
- heart failure
- hyperlipoproteinemia
- infertility
- nutritional supplementation
- renal impairment
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- valproate-induced hepatotoxicity
For the treatment of primary or secondary carnitine deficiency
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- amblyopia
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- anorexia
- anxiety
- asthenia
- atrial fibrillation
- back pain
- bleeding
- bronchospasm
- chest pain (unspecified)
- constipation
- cough
- depression
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drug-induced body odor
- dysgeusia
- dyspepsia
- dyspnea
- edema
- fever
- gastritis
- headache
- hypercalcemia
- hyperkalemia
- hypertension
- hypertonia
- hypervolemia
- hypotension
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- laryngeal edema
- melena
- nausea
- palpitations
- paresthesias
- peripheral edema
- pharyngitis
- pruritus
- rash
- rhinitis
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- sinusitis
- urticaria
- vertigo
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight gain
- weight loss
Monitoring Parameters
- serum carnitine concentrations
Contraindications
- breast-feeding
- cardiac disease
- dialysis
- diarrhea
- hepatic disease
- hypertension
- peripheral neuropathy
- pregnancy
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- seizure disorder
- ventricular arrhythmias
Interactions
There are no drug interactions associated with Levocarnitine products.
