Background
Acetyl-L-carnitine is important for many body processes. L-carnitine is made in the human brain, liver, and kidneys. The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. It's not clear if the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are from the chemical itself, from the L-carnitine it can make, or from some other chemical.
Acetyl-L-carnitine is sometimes used for Alzheimer disease, improving memory and thinking skills, treating symptoms of depression, and reducing nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if acetyl-L-carnitine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Acetyl-L-carnitine is possibly safe for most children when taken by mouth.
Bipolar disorder: Acetyl-L-carnitine might worsen symptoms in people with bipolar disorder who are currently in remission.
Nerve damage in the hands and feet caused by cancer drug treatment: Acetyl-L-carnitine might worsen symptoms in some people with nerve pain caused by a class of chemotherapy drugs known as taxanes.
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): There is some concern that acetyl-L-carnitine might interfere with thyroid hormone. Don't use acetyl-L-carnitine if you have an under-active thyroid.
Seizures: L-carnitine seems to make seizures more likely in people who have had seizures before. Since L-carnitine is related to acetyl-L-carnitine, there is a concern that this might also occur with acetyl-L-carnitine. If you have ever had a seizure, don't take acetyl-L-carnitine.
Effectiveness
- Decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age. Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth might improve memory and mental function in older people with some memory loss.
- Tiredness in older adults. Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth might improve mental and physical tiredness in older people. It also seems to reduce tiredness after exercise.
- Alcohol use disorder. Acetyl-L-carnitine given intravenously (by IV) for 10 days and then taken by mouth for 80 days, helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings during alcohol detox. But it's possible that the benefits are from IV acetyl-L-carnitine only.
- Alzheimer disease. Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth might slow the rate of disease progression, improve memory, and improve some measures of mental function and behavior in some people with Alzheimer disease.
- Depression. Taking 1-4 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth daily seems to improve mood and decrease depression in some people. It seems to work better in older people and when taken in higher amounts.
- Nerve pain in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth 2-3 grams daily seems to improve symptoms in people with nerve pain caused by diabetes.
- Conditions in a male that prevent a female partner from getting pregnant (male infertility). Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth along with L-carnitine seems to increase sperm movement, and possibly sperm count, in males with fertility problems. It's not clear if taking acetyl-L-carnitine alone helps or if the chance of pregnancy is improved.
- Nerve damage in the hands and feet caused by cancer drug treatment. Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth might not reduce neuropathy associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. It might actually make it worse.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Acenocoumarol (Sintrom)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acenocoumarol is used to slow blood clotting. Acetyl-L-carnitine might increase the effects of acenocoumarol and increase the chance of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your acenocoumarol might need to be changed.
Serotonergic drugs
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acetyl-l-carnitine might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking acetyl-l-carnitine along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.
Thyroid hormone
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acetyl-L-carnitine might decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking acetyl-L-carnitine with thyroid hormone might decrease the effectiveness of thyroid hormones.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Acetyl-L-carnitine might increase the effects of warfarin and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements with serotonergic properties: Acetyl-L-carnitine increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking it along with other supplements that have this effect might cause serious side effects, including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting. Examples of supplements with this effect include 5-HTP, black seed, L-tryptophan, SAMe, and St. John's wort.
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1.2 g
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 25 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 50 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Magnesium bisglycinate 2 g equiv. magnesium 200 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 25 mg equiv. riboflavin 18 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate 2.1 g equiv. calcium 500 mg
- L-tyrosine 1 g
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 500 mg
- Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous 250 mg equiv. sodium 81 mg
- Borax 13 mg equiv. boron 1.5 mg
- Potassium iodide 98 μg equiv. iodine 75 μg
- Selenomethionine 62.5 μg equiv. selenium 25 μg
- Zinc bisglycinate (Zinc amino acid chelate) 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1 g
- D-Ribose 4.6 g
- Calcium pyruvate 666 mg equiv. calcium 100 mg
- Magnesium citrate 647 mg equiv. magnesium 100 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 65 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 60 mg
- Taurine 50 mg
- Biotin 1 mg
- Nicotinamide riboside chloride (Vitamin B3) 100 mg equiv. ribose 52 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1 g
- Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) 250 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 30 mg
- Selenomethionine 148.8 μg equiv. selenium 60 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.92 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Magnesium citrate 1.85 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Inositol 1 g
- Rutin (Rutoside) 750 mg
- R-alpha lipoic acid 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 100 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 91.6 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 20 mg equiv. manganese 2 mg
- Palm tocotrienols complex (Vitamin E) 5 mg
- Reynoutria japonica ext. 200 mg
- Biotin 3 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 10 mg equiv. riboflavin 7.6 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1 g
- Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) 2 g
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 100 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 79.87 mg equiv. zinc 25 mg
- Selenomethionine 248 μg equiv. selenium 100 μg
- Turnera diffusa ext. 300 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 1 g
- Magnesium citrate 1.91 g equiv. magnesium 310 mg
- Alpha lipoic acid 50 mg
- Palm tocotrienols complex (Vitamin E) 5 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 100 mg equiv. thiamine 81.04 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 20 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 150 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 137.44 mg
- Biotin 500 μg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 216 μg equiv. folinic acid 200 μg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 20 mg equiv. pyridoxine 16.48 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 6.4 mg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 884.6 mg
- Magnesium citrate 1.86 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Magnesium orotate dihydrate 234.4 mg equiv. magnesium 15 mg
- Glutamine 500 mg
- Taurine 500 mg
- Calcium citrate 236.8 mg equiv. calcium 50 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.85 mg equiv. riboflavin 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 27.3 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 25 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 15.6 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 39.2 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Potassium phosphate dibasic 111.6 mg equiv. potassium 50 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 37 mg equiv. thiamine 30 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 250 mg
- Inositol 500 mg
- Choline bitartrate 350 mg equiv. choline 144 mg
- Pinus radiata ext. 50 mg
- Glycine 2 g
- Taurine 500 mg
- Calcium citrate 415 mg equiv. calcium 100 mg
- Potassium citrate 207 mg equiv. potassium 75 mg
- Magnesium citrate 842 mg equiv. magnesium 130 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 33 μg equiv. molybdenum 22.2 μg
- Selenomethionine 74.4 μg equiv. selenium 30 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 15.7 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 34.8 μg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 20 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 18.3 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 24.6 μg equiv. vitamin D 1000 IU
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 217 μg equiv. folinic acid 200 μg
- Retinol acetate (Vitamin A) 461 μg equiv. vitamin A 400 μgRE equiv. vitamin A 1335 IU
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.54 mg equiv. riboflavin 4.98 mg
- Lecithin 100 mg equiv. phosphatidylcholine 20 mg
- Punica granatum ext. 8.04 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus ext. 2.5 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 12.7 mg equiv. thiamine 10 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 200 mg
- Pisum sativum ext. 5 g
- Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane fibre) 4 g
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 250 mg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Cholecalciferol 10 μg equiv. vitamin D3 400 IU
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 46.74 mg equiv. zinc 15 mg
- Oryza sativa ext. 15 g
- Glutamine 1.5 g
- Glycine 2 g
- Myo-inositol 1.25 g
- Taurine 500 mg
- Choline bitartrate 100 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 21.6 mg equiv. thiamine 17 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.6 mg equiv. riboflavin 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 164 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 150 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 15.7 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 357 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 200 μg
- Biotin 50 μg
- Calcified lithothamnion (Red algae) 156 mg equiv. calcium 50 mg
- Magnesium citrate 330.46 mg equiv. magnesium 50 mg
- Manganese gluconate 8.12 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Selenomethionine 123 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 73.8 μg equiv. molybdenum 50 μg
- Potassium iodide 65.6 μg equiv. iodine 50 μg
- Chromium nicotinate 196.8 μg equiv. chromium 24 μg
- Cinnamomum cassia ext. 300 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus ext. 250 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 150 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext. 135 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 118 mg
- Taurine 600 mg
- L-glutamine 500 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 41.16 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 150 μg
- Magnesium bisglycinate 3 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 300 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate 269 mg equiv. calcium 63 mg
- Potassium phosphate monobasic 182 mg equiv. potassium 52 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 1.9 mg
- Chromium nicotinate 250 μg equiv. chromium 25 μg
- Selenomethionine 62.5 μg equiv. selenium 25 μg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 30 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 118 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 31.85 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 2.6 mg equiv. riboflavin 1.9 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 150 μg
- Magnesium bisglycinate 3 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Taurine 600 mg
- Glutamine 500 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 300 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate 269 mg equiv. calcium 63 mg
- Potassium phosphate monobasic 182 mg equiv. potassium 52 mg
- Chromium nicotinate 250 μg equiv. chromium 25 μg
- Selenomethionine 62.5 μg equiv. selenium 25 μg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 117.94 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 125 mg
- Ocimum tenuiflorum ext. 105 mg
- Tanacetum parthenium ext. 25 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 10 mg
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 60 mg
- Lavandula angustifolia ext. 100 mg
- Theobroma cacao ext. 520 mg
- L-leucine 100 mg
- Magnesium citrate 705.74 mg equiv. magnesium 80 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 18.51 mg equiv. thiamine 15 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30.39 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Folic acid 150 μg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg