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Carnitine
Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
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This information describes the common uses of Carnitine, how it works, and its possible side effects.
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
What is it?
Carnitine is a chemical that your body makes to produce energy. It’s also found in foods such as meat, dairy products, beans, and avocados.
You can also take carnitine supplements as pills or capsules.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
Carnitine is used to treat:
Heart disease
Nerve pain from diabetes
Insulin resistance, which can increase your blood sugar
Fatigue (feeling more weak or tired than usual)
Fatigue due to cancer treatments
Male infertility
Carnitine also has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.
Carnitine that you get from food is safe. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking carnitine supplements. Supplements are stronger than the carnitine you get from food. They can also interact with some medications and affect how they work.
For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.
What are the side effects?
Side effects of using carnitine supplements may include:
Nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up)
Heartburn
Flu-like symptoms (such as a cough, fever, or chills)
Headache
Diarrhea (loose or watery bowel movements)
High blood pressure
Body odor
What else do I need to know?
Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin®), clopidogrel (Plavix®), apixaban (Eliquis®), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto®). Carnitine can increase your risk of bleeding.
L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are not the same. Acetyl-L-carnitine can increase nerve pain caused by chemotherapy.