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| Pronunciation |
|
 (lee
voe KAR ni
teen) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Carnitor®;
VitaCarn® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Dietary Supplement |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for treatment of carnitine
deficiencies.
|
|
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Carnitine is a naturally occurring chemical in your body. When the
body's supply is low then metabolism may change. Levocarnitine is a replacement
for this deficiency.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take during or after meals to help decrease side effects.
- A liquid (solution) is available for patients who cannot swallow
pills. Take alone or mix with a drink or other liquid food. Do not take all at
once. Drink slowly.
- Divide daily dose into 2 or 3
doses.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur with rapid intake of
levocarnitine. Take in divided doses.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Body odor.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Keep a list
of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins,
over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor,
nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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