Levocarnitine
Indications
Levocarnitine is used for:
Congestive heart failure, Diabetic nephropathy, Intermittent claudication, Kidney disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Heart Diseases, High Cholesterol, Dementia and Memory impairment, Down Syndrome, Male infertility
Adult Dose
Adults: Tablet: 330 mg two or three times daily.
Child Dose
Infants and children: 50 to 100 mg/kg/day in divided doses, with a maximum of 3 g/day. Dosage should begin at 50 mg/kg/day.
The exact dosage will depend on clinical response.
Renal Dose
Administration
Consume oral solution slowly, may be mixed with drinks and space doses evenly throughout the day (q3-4hr) preferably during or after meals (may decrease GI distress)
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity.
Precautions
Gastrointestinal reactions may result from a too rapid consumption of Levocarnitine.
The safety and efficacy of oral levocarnitine has not been evaluated in patients with renal insufficiency. Chronic administration of high doses of oral levocarnitine in patients with severely compromised renal function or in ESRD patients on dialysis may result in accumulation of the potentially toxic metabolites, trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), since these metabolites are normally excreted in the urine
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B
Lactation: not studied, weigh risk/benefit
Interactions
Side Effects
Side effects of Levocarnitine :
Generally Levocarnitine is well tolerated. However, few side effects including transient nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea may occur
Mode of Action
Quaternary ammonium compound found in all mammalian tissue (particularly striated muscle).
Important for lipid catabolism; essential for FFA transport from cytosol to mitochondria where they are oxidized.