Note: This document contains side effect information about levocarnitine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Carnitor.
Applies to levocarnitine: capsule, capsule liquid filled, solution, tablet.
Serious side effects of Carnitor
Along with its needed effects, levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in Carnitor) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking levocarnitine:
More common
- High blood pressure
Less common
- Fast heartbeat
- fever
Rare
- Seizures
Other side effects of Carnitor
Some side effects of levocarnitine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Abdominal or stomach cramps
- diarrhea
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
Less common
- Abdominal discomfort
- body odor
- depression
- dizziness
- impaired vision
- loss of appetite or weight
- swelling in hands, lower legs, and feet
- tingling sensation
- weakness
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to levocarnitine: injectable solution, oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet.
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (35%), abdominal pain (21%), vomiting (21%), nausea (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal disorder, melena
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abdominal cramps[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), dizziness (18%), paresthesia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertonia, vertigo, taste perversion
Frequency not reported: Seizures (with or without pre-existing seizure activity), increase in seizure frequency and/or severity[Ref]
Metabolic
There are reports from clinical trials of significant hypertriglyceridemia associated with high doses of levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in Carnitor) (3 g/day) given to uremic dialysis patients.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Hypercalcemia (15%), hypervolemia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, hyperkalemia[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Pain (35%), flu syndrome (29%), chest pain (15%), accidental injury (12%), asthenia (12%), fever (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, weight decrease, weight increase
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Body odor, International Normalized Ratio (INR) increased[Ref]
Local
Very common (10% or more): Injection site reaction (38%)[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal side effects, in chronic hemodialysis patients, for levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in Carnitor) in relation to placebo therapy have included asthenia (8% to 12% vs 8%) and leg cramps (4% to 8% vs 13%). Mild myasthenia has occurred in uremic patients receiving D,L-carnitine (but not levocarnitine).[Ref]
Hematologic
There have been reports from clinical trials of significant increases in platelet aggregation associated with high doses of levocarnitine (the active ingredient contained in Carnitor) (3 g/day) given to hemodialysis patients.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Anemia (12%)[Ref]
Renal
Common (1% to 10%): Kidney failure (chronic hemodialysis patients)[Ref]
Endocrine
Common (1% to 10%): Parathyroid disorder[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis (27%), cough increase (18%), dyspnea (11%), rhinitis (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, sinusitis[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Amblyopia, eye disorder[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (21%), hypotension (19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, cardiovascular disorder, electrocardiogram abnormal, palpitations, tachycardia, vascular disorder[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Depression, anxiety, drug dependence, insomnia[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more): Infection (24%)[Ref]
