CARNITENE ® is a drug based on levocarnitine
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Gastro-intestinal tract drugs and metabolism - Agonist of mitochondrial function.
IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects
Indications CARNITENE ® Levocarnitina
CARNITENE® is indicated in the prophylaxis and treatment of primary and secondary carnitine deficiencies.
Mechanism of action CARNITENE ® Levocarnitina
Carnitine, the active ingredient of CARNITENE ®, is an amino acid derivative synthesized in the liver from lysine and methionine in the presence of B vitamins.
If in physiological conditions the amount present in the body is sufficient to meet the needs of this molecule, in some pathological conditions, such as dilated cardiomyopathy and Reye's syndrome, carnitine concentrations fall significantly, compromising its biological activity.
Its importance, from the metabolic point of view, is in fact mainly due to the role of carrier of long chain fatty acids through the mitochondrial membrane, therefore to the relative transport towards the mitochondrial environment in which the beta oxidation process takes place. (series of reactions needed to break down fatty acids to create energy).
Deficiencies of this substance therefore compromise the metabolic aspect of vital tissues such as the heart and fundamental as the muscular one.
Fortunately, even oral supplementation with carnitine is able to improve symptoms, although the bioavailability of the product is 10 to 20% of the total dose taken, given the impressive catabolic activity of the intestinal flora.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. CARNITINE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 15; 2: CD006659.
Work that denounces the need to carry out research related to the study of the efficacy and safety of carnitine administration in pediatric patients with inborn errors of metabolism. Theoretically, carnitine intake could indeed optimize the metabolic activity of small patients, preserving them from future problems.
2. THE SUPPLEMENTATION WITH CARNITINE IN HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE
Neurol Sci. 2012 Feb 1.
Cuturic M, Abramson RK, Moran RR, Hardin JW, Frank EM, Sellers AA.
Huntington's disease, a neurological disorder with a severe and highly invalidating clinical course, is often associated with low systemic carnitine levels.
The results of this study suggest that, in these patients, supplementation with carnitine may prove to be effective in improving symptoms, ensuring better motor control.
3. THE EFFECTS OF CARNITINE IN ASMATIC PATIENTS
J Allergy (Cairo). 2012; 2012: 509730. Epub 2011 Nov 23.
Interesting work that expands the potential therapeutic effects of carnitine, experimenting with its administration in pediatric patients with persistent asthma.
In the same patients the intake of L-carnitine proved to be effective in improving the systemic concentrations of this molecule, lung function and related symptomatology.
Method of use and dosage
CARNITENE ®
1 g solution for injection of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution;
2 g solution for injection of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution;
1 g oral solution of L-Carnitine for 10 ml of solution;
Oral solution of 2 g of L-Carnitine per 10 ml of solution;
Oral solution of 1.5 g of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution;
Chewable tablets of 1 g of L-Carnitine.
The dosage of oral carnitine to be used in the treatment of deficiency states varies considerably according to the age of the patient, his physical characteristics and the severity of the clinical picture.
Usually used from 2-4 gr of daily carnitine in adults, 75 mg / kg in children from 6 to 12 years and 100 mg / kg in children from 2 to 6 years, although the definition of the precise dosage must necessarily be formulated by its own doctor.
CARNITENE ® in solution for injection is usually reserved for the treatment of patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Warnings CARNITENE ® Levocarnitina
The use of CARNITENE ® in patients with kidney diseases should be carried out under strict medical supervision, given the lack of data on the safety of treatment in these patients and the ability of some potentially toxic metabolites to accumulate in the body.
The same attention should be paid to patients receiving hypoglycemic agents, given the ability of carnitine to improve glucose uptake and consumption, thereby increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
CARNITENE ® orally contains sucrose therefore it should be taken with particular care in diabetic patients or those suffering from glucose-galactose malabsorption.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
CARNITENE ® can be used during pregnancy and in the subsequent lactation period, as long as all the treatment is supervised by your doctor.
Interactions
At the moment principles are not known, which, taken at the same time as CARNITENE ®, are capable of appreciably varying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of carnitine.
Contraindications CARNITENE ® Levocarnitina
The use of CARNITENE ® is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active substance or to one of its excipients.
Undesirable effects - Side effects
The intake of Carnitine, especially when done at high doses, could lead to the appearance of gastro-intestinal disorders such as heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
In rare cases, neurological signs such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia and, in more serious cases, convulsions have also been observed.
Note
CARNITENE ® in solution for injection of 1 g of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution, solution for injection of 2 g of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution, oral solution of 2 g of L-Carnitine for 10 ml of solution are sold exclusively with medical prescription
while
CARNITENE ® in oral solution of 1 g of L-Carnitine for 10 ml of solution, oral solution of 1.5 g of L-Carnitine for 5 ml of solution and chewable tablets of 1 g of L-Carnitine are sold without prescription medical.
