Acetyl-l-carnitine
Scientific names: 2-(acetyloxy)-3-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium inner salt, (3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-propyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide inner salt acetate
Alternate names: Acetil-L-Carnitina, Acetyl Carnitine, Acétyl Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Acétyl-L-Carnitine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate Dihydrochloride, Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate HCl, Acétyl-L-Carnitine Arginate HCl, Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl, Acétyl-L-Carnitine HCl, Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride, Acetyl Carnitine, Acetyl-Carnitine, Acetyl-Levocarnitine, Acétyl-Lévocarnitine, ALC, ALCAR, Aminocarnitine, Carnitine Acetyl Ester, Dihydrochlorure d'Acétyl-L-Carnitine Arginate, Gamma-Trimethyl-Beta-Acetylbutyrobetaine, L-Acetylcarnitine, L-Acétylcarnitine, Levacecarnine, N-Acetyl-Carnitine, N-Acétyl-Carnitine, N-Acetyl-Carnitine Hydrochloride, N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine, N-Acétyl-L-Carnitine, ST-200, Vitamin B(t) Acetate
Actions: Alzheimer's disease, Antidiabetic, Anti-HIV, Antineuropathy, Fertility, Hepatic, Psychiatric, Withdrawal
Background
Acetyl-L-carnitine is made from L-carnitine in the body. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are used to help the body turn fat into energy.
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.
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
When taken by mouth: Acetyl-L-carnitine is likely safe for most people. It can cause some side effects including stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, headache, and restlessness. It can also cause a "fishy" odor of the urine, breath, and sweat.
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.
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
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- 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 count and sperm movement in males with fertility problems. It's not clear if taking acetyl-L-carnitine alone helps.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- 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
Acetyl-L-carnitine has most often been used by adults in doses of 1.5-3 grams by mouth daily, for up to 33 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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
D-carnitine: D-carnitine might interfere with the way the body uses L-carnitine. Taking D-carnitine might cause L-carnitine levels to drop too low (L-carnitine deficiency. Since L-carnitine is needed to make acetyl-L-carnitine, this might also lead to acetyl-L-carnitine deficiency. Don't take D-carnitine with acetyl-L-carnitine.
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.
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
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 5.5 g (Lemon Lime Zing):
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 122 mg equiv. levocarnitine 100 mg
- Magnesium glycinate 2.24 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 125 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25 mg equiv. thiamine 19.7 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 25 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 25 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 22.9 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 25 mg equiv. pyridoxine 20.6 mg
- Biotin 110 μg
- Folic acid 148.1 μg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 148.1 μg
- Choline bitartrate 25 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Taurine 500 mg
- Glutamine 400 mg
- Chromium picolinate 204 μg equiv. chromium 25 μg
- Selenomethionine 60.5 μg equiv. selenium 24 μg
- Zinc glycinate 43 mg equiv. zinc 12.5 mg
- Coconut water powder 10 g
- Natural lemon lime flavour
- Thaumatin
RRP: $70.95$52.50Save: 26%
RRP: $43.95$36.26Save: 17%
Per 7 g (Tropical):
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1.2 g
- Magnesium bisglycinate 3 g equiv. magnesium 300 mg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 125 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 38 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 25 mg
- Zinc bisglycinate 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 50 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 38 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 25 mg
- Potassium iodide 98 µg equiv. iodine 75 µg
- Selenomethionine 125 µg equiv. selenium 50 µg
RRP: $48.95$33.29Save: 32%
RRP: $44.95$40.46Save: 10%
Per 4 g (Grape):
- Acetyl L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1 g
- Camellia sinensis 200 mg
- Coffea canephora 150 mg
- Theobroma cacao 50 mg
- Gamma-Butyrobetaine (GBB) 50 mg
- Polyphenolic fulvic minerals (Cell Charge™) 10 mg
- Carnitine tartrate 500 mg
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- Citrus aurantium 60 mg
- Aframomum melegueta 25 mg
- Chromium picolinate 200 µg
- Natural flavours
- Malic acid
- Stevia rebaubiana
RRP: $79.99$70.39Save: 12%
RRP: $46.00$32.20Save: 30%
Per 10 g (Juicy Peach):
- Acetyl L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-carnitine)
- Creatine monohydrate
- Taurine
- L-tyrosine
- Coffea canephora ext.
- Natural flavours
- Citrus limon (Lemon) 0.9 g
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Sea Salt
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Zinc
- Paullinia cupana kunth (seed)
- Ginkgo biloba
- Eleutherococcus senticosus
- Coleus forskohlii
- Panax ginseng
- Camellia sinensis ext.
- Ilex paraguariensis
- Oryza sativa (Rice hulls)
- Sunflower seed extract
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Thaumatin
- Prunus persica (fruit) (Peach) 1.6 g
RRP: $56.95$47.27Save: 17%
Per 4 g (Mango Passionfruit):
- Acetyl L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-carnitine)
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- Camellia sinensis
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Theobroma cacao powder 40 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Piper nigrum 5 mg
- Folate
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Hordeum vulgare 20 mg
- Gamma-Butyrobetaine (GBB) 15 mg
- Coffea arabica equiv. caffeine 150 mg
- Alpinia galanga powder 150 mg
- Orthosilicic acid (Silica)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Xanthan gum
- Chromium picolinate
- Flavour
RRP: $59.95$53.96Save: 10%
Per 9 g (Hawaiian Splice):
RRP: $69.95$59.46Save: 15%
Per 10 g (Apple Berry):
RRP: $69.95$59.46Save: 15%
Discontinued by ATP Science
Per 6 g:
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 1.18 g equiv. acetyl levocarnitine 1 g
- L-tyrosine 1 g
- Magnesium citrate 1.23 g equiv. magnesium 200 mg
- Bacopa monnieri ext. 225 mg
- Crocus sativus ext. 15 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 347.2 µg equiv. folinic acid 250 µg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 25 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 7.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 500 µg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 17.5 mg
Per tablet:
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 148.7 mg equiv. levocarnitine 100 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 50 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 2.24 mg equiv. thiamine 2 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 9.83 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 9 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 3.14 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 60 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) 7.35 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU equiv. d-alpha-tocopherol 6.71 mg
- Biotin 80 µg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Quercetin 50 mg
- Potassium sulphate 78 mg equiv. potassium 35 mg
- Zinc glycinate monohydrate 10.64 mg equiv. zinc 3 mg
- Manganese (II) glycinate 3.695 mg equiv. manganese equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Potassium iodide 91.8 µg equiv. iodine 70 µg
- Selenomethionine 50 µg equiv. selenium 20 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 90 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 50 µg
- L-tyrosine 10 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 12.5 mg equiv. lysine 10 mg
- L-serine 5 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 37.5 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 25 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext. 10 mg
- Capsicum annuum ext. 8.33 mg
- Piper nigrum ext. 16 µg
Per 9.5 g (Chocolate):
- 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 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
400 g Chocolate
Per 7.5 g:
- 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
Per 8 g (Orange):
- 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
- 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
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/04/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 24/03/2022 04:17:59. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
