Difference between revisions of "L-Carnitine"
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* Pregnancy : Whether or not L-carnitine affects a developing baby or passes into breast milk isn't known. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. | * Pregnancy : Whether or not L-carnitine affects a developing baby or passes into breast milk isn't known. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. | ||
+ | * You should avoid or limit drinking while taking L-carnitine. | ||
+ | * Interactions : Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take L-carnitine if you're already taking any of these medications: | ||
+ | **Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) | ||
+ | **Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) | ||
+ | **Isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Sortret, Zenatane) | ||
+ | **Thyroid hormone replacement drugs, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl) or **liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat) | ||
+ | **Valproic acid or divalproex (Depakote, Depakene, Depacon, Stavzor) | ||
+ | **Warfarin (Coumadin,Jantoven) | ||
==The benefits of L-Carnitine are== | ==The benefits of L-Carnitine are== |
Revision as of 11:15, 25 August 2019
Other Names: 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium inner salt, (3-carboxy2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide inner salt, 3-hydroxy-4-N-trimethylaminobutyrate, B-hydroxy-N-trimethyl aminobutyric acid, Beta-hydroxy-gamma-trimethylammonium butyrate, B(t) Factor, Carnitine, Carnitor, D-Carnitine, DL-Carnitine, Facteur B(t), L-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonium)-butyrate, Levocarnitine, Lévocarnitine, Levocarnitine Fumurate, L-Carnitina, L-Carnitine Fumarate, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, L-Carnitine Tartrate, (R)-(3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-trimethylammonio-butyrate, Vitacarn, Vitamin B(t), Vitamine B(t).
L-carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that is made by the kidney and the liver and is derived from the amino acids methionine and lysine. Carnitine plays an important role in transporting long-chained fatty acid across the mitochondrial membranes in cell in order to produce energy. Recent research has determined that carnitine may play a role in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as improving cardiac performance.
Special Precautions of L-Carnitine
- Experts caution people not to take L-carnitine supplements if they have certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor before taking L-carnitine if you have:
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease or if drinking alcohol has damaged your liver
- Diabetes
- Seizures or a history of seizures
- High doses of L-carnitine — that is, 5 grams (g) or more — may cause diarrhea.
- Rare Side Effects of L-carnitine are :
- Decrease thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
- Rash
- Body odor
- Hunger
- Pregnancy : Whether or not L-carnitine affects a developing baby or passes into breast milk isn't known. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You should avoid or limit drinking while taking L-carnitine.
- Interactions : Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take L-carnitine if you're already taking any of these medications:
- Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
- Isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Sortret, Zenatane)
- Thyroid hormone replacement drugs, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl) or **liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat)
- Valproic acid or divalproex (Depakote, Depakene, Depacon, Stavzor)
- Warfarin (Coumadin,Jantoven)
The benefits of L-Carnitine are
Symptoms of a carnitine deficiency include muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness, impaired glucose control, high cholesterol and dark reddish-brown urine. These symptoms could be the symptoms of antoher disorder, so you should consult your health care practitioner if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Treating and preventing L-carnitine deficiency : L-carnitine supplements are used to increase L-carnitine levels in people whose natural level of L-carnitine is too low because they have a genetic disorder, are taking certain drugs (valproic acid for seizures), or because they are undergoing a medical procedure (hemodialysis for kidney disease) that uses up the body’s L-carnitine. It is also used as a replacement supplement in strict vegetarians, dieters, and low-weight or premature infants.
- Increasing red blood cell count in people with serious kidney disease. The FDA has approved L-carnitine for this use.
- L-carnitine is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including heart-related chest pain, congestive heart failure (CHF), heart complications of a disease called diphtheria, heart attack, leg pain caused by circulation problems (intermittent claudication), and high cholesterol.
- Some people use L-carnitine for muscle disorders associated with certain AIDS medications, difficulty fathering a child (male infertility), a brain development disorder called Rett syndrome, anorexia, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, overactive thyroid, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leg ulcers, Lyme disease, and to improve athletic performance and endurance.