Levocarnitine
About
Levocarnitine belongs to the class of medications called 'Nutritional supplements' used to treat carnitine deficiency. A carnitine deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough amount of carnitine from food. Sometimes your body is unable to absorb carnitine even if you are consuming them. Symptoms of carnitine deficiency are weakness in the hips, shoulders, upper arms and legs, tiredness (fatigue), irritability, and delayed movement (motor) development.
Levocarnitine contains Levocarnitine, a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that helps your body turn fat into energy. It works by improving the low levels of carnitine in the body. Also, it is used for the prevention and treatment of carnitine deficiency in patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis.
Take Levocarnitine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Levocarnitine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Levocarnitine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Levocarnitine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, it is advised to consult a doctor before using Levocarnitine. If you have a history of seizures (fits), liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or heart problems, please inform your doctor before using Levocarnitine. If you are taking any medicines or supplements, talk to your doctor before using Levocarnitine. Levocarnitine is safe to use in children, yet the doctor's consultation is advised.
Uses of Levocarnitine
Medicinal Benefits
Levocarnitine contains the nutritional supplement ‘Levocarnitine’ used in the treatment of carnitine deficiency. Levocarnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that helps your body turn fat into energy. It works by improving the low levels of carnitine in the body. Levocarnitine improves symptoms and increases exercise ability in people with heart problems. It is also used for weight loss and may have an impact on brain function. Alone or in combination with acetyl-L-carnitine, it increases sperm count and sperm movement in men with fertility problems. Levocarnitine improves symptoms such as rapid or pounding heartbeat, nervousness, and weakness in people with high thyroid hormone levels. Also, it is used for the prevention and treatment of carnitine deficiency in patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levocarnitine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Levocarnitine if you are allergic to Levocarnitine or any of its contents. Let your doctor know if you have a history of seizures (fits), liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes before using Levocarnitine. Please inform your doctor if you are using any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements. Do not take Levocarnitine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Levocarnitine safe to be given to children below 12 years of age, infants, and newborns, yet the doctor's consultation is advised. This medicine contains sucrose, so inform your doctor if you have an intolerance to any sugars.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levocarnitine may interact with blood thinners (warfarin, dicumarol).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Levocarnitine should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney, liver disease, diabetes, seizures (fits).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Levocarnitine is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Levocarnitine.
Pregnancy
cautionTell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies of Levocarnitine on breastfeeding women. Please consult your doctor before using Levocarnitine if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedLevocarnitine is generally safe to use before driving. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionLevocarnitine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLevocarnitine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor
Children
safe if prescribedSafe to be given to children below 12 years. No harmful interaction has been reported in children below 12 years of age, yet a doctor's consultation is advised.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Animal products like meat, fish, poultry and milk are the best sources.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Increase the intake of calcium and magnesium-rich foods, including prunes, raisins, and orange juice.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk, and cheese, etc.).
- Include more vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, whole grains, foods, and nuts products in your diet.
- Make a habit of regular exercising for at least 1-2 hours a day, or at least one should walk for about half an hour for good health.
- Instead of munching chips or sweets, eat unsalted nuts and frozen yoghurt, which is very good for health.
- Replace refined carbohydrates-containing foods with whole grain foods and increase the intake of fruits and veggies and other fibre-enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
Special Advise
Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly while using Levocarnitine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Carnitine deficiency: A carnitine deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough amount of carnitine from food. It is essential for a healthy life. Sometimes your body is unable to absorb carnitine even if you are consuming it. Carnitine deficiency can lead to many health problems like encephalopathy (severe brain dysfunction), myopathy (muscle disease), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), cardiomyopathy (heart problem), or swelling (oedema). Symptoms of carnitine deficiency are weakness in the hips, shoulders, upper arms and legs, tiredness (fatigue), irritability, and delayed movement (motor) development.
FAQs
Levocarnitine belongs to the class of medications called 'amino acid derivative'. It works by improving the low levels of carnitine in the body.
You are recommended to take Levocarnitine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, please consult your doctor.
There are limited studies of Levocarnitine on breastfeeding women. Please consult your doctor before using Levocarnitine if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Unless suggested by the doctor, take Levocarnitine in the morning or night, one should fix a time slot, and they should take it regularly at the same time.
In some patients, warfarin when taken along with Levocarnitine may increase the time required for the formation of blood clots. Hence, before starting Levocarnitine, inform your doctor if you are taking warfarin.
