Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 4, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Carnitine
- Carnitor
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
- Capsule
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Amino Acid Supplement
Uses for levocarnitine
Levocarnitine is used to prevent and treat a lack of carnitine. It is used to prevent and treat this condition in patients with kidney disease on dialysis. It is given to people whose body cannot properly use carnitine from their diet. Lack of carnitine can lead to liver, heart, and muscle problems. Your doctor may treat lack of carnitine by prescribing levocarnitine for you.
Carnitine comes in two forms. Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) should not be confused with the D,L-carnitine form (labeled as “vitamin B T”'). Only the L-form of carnitine is used by the body to treat serious carnitine deficiency. The D,L-form does not help the body use fat and can actually interfere with and cause a lack of levocarnitine.
Certain levocarnitine products have been specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medical use and are available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using levocarnitine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levocarnitine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to levocarnitine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Although there is no specific information comparing use of levocarnitine in children with use in other age groups, this dietary supplement is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Geriatric
There is no specific information comparing use of levocarnitine in the elderly with use in other age groups; however, levocarnitine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people tha...
