l-carnitine at a glance
Medicine class
Amino acid derivative used as carnitine replacement.
Licensed use
Primary or secondary carnitine deficiency in children under 12, including infants and newborns.
Administration
The oral solution may be swallowed directly or diluted with water or fruit juice.
Key monitoring
Free and acylcarnitine concentrations in plasma and urine may be monitored.
What is l-carnitine used for?
The selected paediatric oral solution is licensed for:
Primary carnitine deficiency in newborns, infants and children under 12.
Secondary carnitine deficiency in newborns, infants and children under 12, including deficiency associated with relevant inherited metabolic disorders or dialysis care.
How does l-carnitine work?
Carnitine carries long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria, where they can be broken down to release energy. Replacement restores carnitine availability and supports the handling of acyl groups involved in fat, glucose and amino-acid metabolism.
l-carnitine preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 30%
How to take l-carnitine
Use the supplied measuring device and follow the specialist’s instructions. The selected product is for oral use only.
It may be swallowed directly.
It may be diluted with water or fruit juice.
Store below 25°C and discard the bottle 30 days after first opening.
l-carnitine side effects
Get urgent medical advice
- Immediate or delayed allergic reactions may be caused by the formulation’s parahydroxybenzoate preservatives.
- In people taking coumarin anticoagulants, INR may increase and raise bleeding risk.
l-carnitine in pregnancy
Human pregnancy experience is limited. In primary systemic carnitine deficiency, stopping replacement may present a greater maternal risk than continuing it. Decisions should involve metabolic and maternity specialists.
l-carnitine while breastfeeding
Levocarnitine is naturally present in human milk, but supplemental treatment during breastfeeding has not been adequately studied. A prescriber should assess the need for treatment and available clinical experience.
l-carnitine interactions
Important recognised interactions and practical cautions include:
Warfarin, acenocoumarol and other coumarin anticoagulants
Levocarnitine has very rarely increased INR; coagulation monitoring should be intensified until stable.
Insulin and glucose-lowering tablets
Improved glucose use may contribute to hypoglycaemia, so glucose should be monitored and diabetes treatment reviewed when necessary.
Other oral products containing sorbitol or fructose
Combined exposure should be considered because this formulation contains sorbitol.
Common questions about l-carnitine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is l-carnitine the same as levocarnitine?
Yes. Levocarnitine is the biologically active L-form of carnitine.
Can the oral solution be mixed with a drink?
Yes. The selected solution may be diluted with water or fruit juice.
Can l-carnitine cause diarrhoea or sickness?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.