FDA approved Energy and Wellness
L-Carnitine
Also called Levocarnitine; Carnitor
An amino-acid derivative the body uses to move fatty acids into mitochondria for energy. It is not a peptide. Prescription levocarnitine treats carnitine deficiency; weight-loss effects from supplements are modest.
Overview
What it is
A compound the body makes from lysine and methionine and also gets from food, especially meat. Prescription forms (Carnitor) exist for diagnosed deficiency.
How it works
It is a required partner for the CPT enzyme system that shuttles long-chain fats across the inner mitochondrial membrane so they can be burned for energy (beta-oxidation).
What the research shows
A meta-analysis of 37 randomized trials found oral L-carnitine produced modest weight loss of about 1.2 kg on average. In hemodialysis patients with carnitine deficiency, IV levocarnitine raised blood carnitine and reduced fatigue. Gut bacteria convert unabsorbed oral carnitine to TMAO, a compound linked to heart risk in observational research.
Studied for
- Primary and secondary carnitine deficiencyapproved
- Dialysis-related deficiencyapproved IV use
- Weight lossmodest effect
- Exercise performancemixed
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
Oral supplements can cause nausea, stomach upset and a fishy body odor. People on dialysis or with seizures, thyroid conditions or on blood thinners should discuss use with their clinician.
Regulatory status
Levocarnitine is FDA approved by prescription for carnitine deficiency. Oral L-carnitine is also sold as a dietary supplement.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
Reference information only. Not instructions. These mixing and dosing figures summarize published studies and third-party protocols so you can understand the research. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation that anyone use any substance, and not a treatment plan. They do not apply to Research Products, which are for laboratory research only and must never be used in humans or animals. Never self-administer any compound. Only a licensed healthcare professional who has evaluated you can decide whether a medication is appropriate and how it should be used.
L-Carnitine (200 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 200 mg L-Carnitine
- Add diluent
- 2 mL
- Concentration
- 100 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 1000 mcg in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- How often
- Once per day subcutaneously (any consistent time; morning or pre-exercise commonly used).
- Typical range
- 50–100 mg once daily (gradual titration); advanced protocols may use up to 200 mg.
- Cycle length
- 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks with continued monitoring.
Standard / Gradual Approach
| Week | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 50 mg | 50 units (0.50 mL) |
| Weeks 3–8 | 100 mg | 100 units (1.0 mL) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 100 mg | 100 units (1.0 mL) |
How to mix
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to minimize foaming; avoid direct stream onto powder.
- Gently swirl or roll the vial until powder is fully dissolved (do not shake vigorously).
- Label vial with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light. Bacteriostatic water does not establish a universal use-by period; follow the exact product’s handling instructions.
Dosing details
- Start: 50 mg daily for Weeks 1–2 to assess tolerance and monitor for injection-site reactions.
- Maintenance: Increase to 100 mg daily from Week 3 onward; this is a reasonable maintenance dose for most research purposes.
- Advanced: Up to 200 mg daily for robust experimental protocols, if clearly supported by research findings.
- Frequency: Once per day subcutaneously (any consistent time; morning or pre-exercise commonly used).
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks with continued monitoring.
- Site Rotation: Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to prevent tissue irritation.
Storage
- Product-specific storage and handling help preserve L-carnitine quality.
- Lyophilized (unreconstituted): Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below in dry, dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure. Keep vial tightly sealed. Follow the exact product’s validated shelf life.
- Reconstituted solution: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) immediately after mixing. Follow the exact product’s instructions for freezing or avoiding it.
- Use-by: A use-by period requires stability and microbiological evidence for the exact L-carnitine formulation; adding bacteriostatic water alone does not establish one.
- Before use: Allow refrigerated vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation. Inspect solution before each use; discard if discolored or contains precipitates.
- Avoid unnecessary freeze–thaw cycles: Do not assume aliquoting or freezing extends the product’s validated use-by period.
Administration technique
- Proper subcutaneous injection technique based on CDC guidelines and clinical best practices.
- Hand hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Materials: Gather sterile U-100 insulin syringe (1 mL capacity, 25–30 gauge needle), alcohol swabs, sharps container, and refrigerated L-Carnitine vial.
- Warm vial: Allow vial to reach room temperature (or roll gently between palms) to reduce injection discomfort.
- Vial prep: Swab rubber stopper with alcohol and allow to dry (~30 seconds).
- Draw dose: Insert needle through stopper, draw prescribed volume (e.g., 100 units = 1.0 mL for 100 mg dose), and expel any air bubbles by tapping syringe and pushing plunger slightly.
- Abdomen (at least 2 inches away from navel)
- Outer thigh (middle third, avoiding inner thigh)
- Upper outer arm (triceps region, if sufficient subcutaneous tissue)
- Site rotation: Keep a rotation log to avoid using the same site within 1–2 weeks. This prevents lipohypertrophy and tissue damage.
- Skin antisepsis: Clean injection site with alcohol swab using outward circular motion; allow to dry completely (~30 seconds).
- Needle insertion: Pinch a fold of skin (1–2 inches) between thumb and forefinger. Insert needle at a 45° angle (or 90° if using very short needle and ample subcutaneous tissue) into the subcutaneous fat layer.
- No aspiration needed: Aspiration (pulling back on plunger) is not necessary for subcutaneous injections, as there are no large blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue.
- Inject slowly: Depress plunger steadily over 3–5 seconds to minimize discomfort. Injecting volumes .
Important notes
- Sterile technique: Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; never reuse needles or syringes.
- Site rotation: Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from navel, outer thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and prevent lipohypertrophy.
- Injection speed: Inject slowly (over several seconds) to minimize discomfort; wait 5–10 seconds before withdrawing needle to prevent leakage.
- Room temperature: Allow refrigerated solution to warm slightly (to room temperature) before injecting to reduce pain.
- Documentation: Keep a log of daily dose, injection site, and any observations (tolerance, energy levels) to maintain consistency.
- Sharps disposal: Immediately dispose of used needles and syringes in an approved sharps container; never recap needles by hand.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Is L-carnitine a peptide?
No. It is an amino-acid derivative.
Does it burn fat?
It is needed for fat metabolism, but supplements produce only modest weight loss on average.
Do most people need it?
Healthy people usually make enough and get more from food.
Related in Energy and Wellness
Sources and further reading (4)
- Meta-analysis of 37 RCTs of L-carnitine supplementation and weight.
- DailyMed. Carnitor (levocarnitine) prescribing information.
- Koeth RA, et al. L-carnitine, gut microbiota and TMAO. Nat Med, 2013.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).
Laboratory research material: L-Carnitine Research Use Only
Educational information only. This content summarizes published research for general education. It is not medical advice, not a recommendation to use any substance, and not an instruction for human or animal use. It does not describe any Research Product sold on this site.