Amino acids and derivatives

Levocarnitine

Approved 30 Jun 2025InjectionInjectable

The FDA lists this product in 10 strengths and forms.

Indications

For the acute and chronic treatment of patients with an inborn error of metabolism which results in secondary carnitine deficiency. For the prevention and treatment of carnitine deficiency in patients with end stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis.

Contraindications

None known.

Warnings and precautions

Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, laryngeal edema, and bronchospasm have been reported following Levocarnitine administration, mostly in patients with end stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis. Some reactions occurred within minutes after intravenous administration of Levocarnitine. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue Levocarnitine treatment and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

Consider the risks and benefits of re-administering Levocarnitine to individual patients following a severe reaction. If the decision is made to re-administer the product, monitor patients for a reoccurrence of signs and symptoms of a severe hypersensitivity reaction.

Interactions

Drug Interactions Reports of INR increase with the use of warfarin have been observed. It is recommended that INR levels be monitored in patients on warfarin therapy after the initiation of treatment with levocarnitine or after dose adjustments.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy Reproductive studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 3.8 times the human dose on the basis of surface area and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Levocarnitine. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Warnings and precautions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Adverse reactions

Clinical Trials Experience Transient nausea and vomiting have been observed. Less frequent adverse reactions are body odor, nausea, and gastritis. An incidence for these reactions is difficult to estimate due to the confounding effects of the underlying pathology. The table below lists the adverse events that have been reported in two double-blind, placebo- controlled trials in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Events occurring at ≥5% are reported without regard to causality.

Adverse Events with a Frequency ≥5% Regardless of Causality by Body System Placebo (n=63) Levocarnitine 10 mg (n=34) Levocarnitine 20 mg (n=62) Levocarnitine 40 mg (n=34) Levocarnitine 10, 20 & 40 mg (n=130) Body as Whole Abdominal pain 17 21 5 6 9 Accidental injury 10 12 8 12 10 Allergic reaction 5 6 2 Asthenia 8 9 8 12 9 Back pain 10 9 8 6 8 Chest pain 14 6 15 12 12 Fever 5 6 5 12 7 Flu syndrome 40 15 27 29 25 Headache 16 12 37 3 22 Infection 17 15 10 24 15 Injection site reaction 59 38 27 38 33 Pain 49 21 32 35 30 Cardiovascular Arrhythmia 5 3 3 2 Atrial fibrillation 2 6 2 Cardiovascular disorder 6 3 5 6 5 Electrocardiogram abnormal 3 6 2 Hemorrhage 6 9 2 3 4 Hypertension 14 18 21 21 20 Hypotension 19 15 19 3 14 Palpitations 3 8 5 Tachycardia 5 6 5 9 6 Vascular disorder 2 2 6 2 Digestive Anorexia 3 3 5 6 5 Constipation 6 3 3 3 3 Diarrhea 19 9 10 35 16 Dyspepsia 10 9 6 5 Gastrointestinal disorder 2 3 6 2 Melena 3 6 2 Nausea 10 9 5 12 8 Stomach atony 5 Vomiting 16 9 16 21 15 Endocrine System Parathyroid disorder 2 6 2 6 4 Hemic/Lymphatic Anemia 3 3 5 12 6 Metabolic/Nutritional Hypercalcemia 3 15 8 6 9 Hyperkalemia 6 6 6 6 6 Hypervolemia 17 3 3 12 5 Peripheral edema 3 6 5 3 5 Weight decrease 3 3 8 3 5 Weight increase 2 3 6 2 Musculo-Skeletal Leg cramps 13 8 4 Myalgia 6 Nervous Anxiety 5 2 1 Depression 3 6 5 6 5 Dizziness 11 18 10 15 13 Drug dependence 2 6 2 Hypertonia 5 3 1 Insomnia 6 3 6 4 Paresthesia 3 3 3 12 5 Vertigo 6 2 Respiratory Bronchitis 5 3 3 Cough increase 16 10 18 9 Dyspnea 19 3 11 3 7 Pharyngitis 33 24 27 15 23 Respiratory disorder 5 Rhinitis 10 6 11 6 9 Sinusitis 5 2 3 2 Skin And Appendages Pruritus 13 8 3 5 Rash 3 5 3 3 Special Senses Amblyopia 2 6 3 Eye disorder 3 6 3 3 Taste perversion 2 9 3 Urogenital Urinary tract infect 6 3 3 2 Kidney failure 5 6 6 6 6 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported: Neurologic Reactions : Seizures have been reported to occur in patients, with or without pre- existing seizure activity, receiving either oral or intravenous levocarnitine.

In patients with pre- existing seizure activity, an increase in seizure frequency and/or severity has been reported. Hypersensitivity reactions : Anaphylaxis, laryngeal edema and bronchospasm (see WARNINGS ).

Levocarnitine

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

Interactions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Two medicines in one question?

Levocarnitine

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

Interactions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Two medicines in one question?

Adverse reactions

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information

At a glance