General Information on Carnitine
Carnitine is a dietary supplement is indicated for the treatment of medical conditions related to inadequate levels of Carnitine in the body. The generic name of this dietary supplement is levocarnitine. It belongs to a family of drugs known as amino acid derivatives.
Carnitine, a hydrophilic amino acid derivative, is produced by the liver and kidneys. It naturally occurs in almost all cells in the body and its primary function is to transport long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. Your body needs to have adequate levels of Carnitine in the tissues and plasma for normal functioning. Carnitine deficiency may cause liver, muscle or heart problems.
Carnitine is available in the form of a capsule, tablet, wafer, powder and oral solution. You may buy Carnitine online if your body is unable to produce Carnitine naturally or if you are a dialysis patient. This dietary supplement may also cause side effects, so consult your doctor before using it.
Side effects of Carnitine
All drugs have the potential to produce some side effects. Carnitine may cause mild to severe side effects in some people. Vomiting, stuffy nose, headache, restlessness, nausea, and sleeping difficulty are some less severe side effects associated with Carnitine. These side effects are mild to moderate and are not a cause for concern as they can be easily dealt with or should subside. You can prevent sleeping difficulty by avoiding the dietary supplement later during the day. If any of these side effects become bothersome, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Carnitine may also cause severe side effects in some people. It may cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Fever is also one of the severe side effects associated with the medication. Stop using the dietary supplement and consult your doctor if you experience severe side effects after taking a dose of Carnitine.
Long term use of Carnitine may also cause several gastrointestinal problems. Transient nausea, fishy breath odor, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps are some of the side effects associated with long term use of Carnitine. These side effects can be easily managed. The fishy breath can be reduced by increasing the bedtime dose or reducing the daily Carnitine dose. The use of antibiotics is also one of the options to reduce the fishy breath odor.
Carnitine is listed as a category B pregnancy drug. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should learn about the risks and benefits of using this dietary supplement before they buy Carnitine in any form.
Dosage of Carnitine
Your doctor will give you specific instructions regarding the dosage. You can take the medication with or without food. The dosage of Carnitine depends on the form of dietary supplement recommended in the treatment.
The recommended adult dose of oral solution to treat Carnitine deficiency is 1 gram with food while the recommended adult dose in capsule form to treat Carnitine deficiency is 990 milligrams, 2-3 times with food. The recommended adult dose in injection form is based on a patient’s weight.
Interactions
Carnitine may interact with other medicines you are using and cause side effects. Before you buy Carnitine in any form, tell the doctor about every medicine you are using, which includes prescription medications, over the counter drugs and herbal supplements.
