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Dietary supplement

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bluebonnet

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Bluebonnet with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for memory and cognitive support, nerve pain (neuropathy), energy and fatigue.Based on those ingredients, 203 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This supplement contains one active ingredient: Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride 500 mg per capsule. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a compound related to the amino acid L-carnitine, which plays a role in energy production in your cells.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—hypromellose, purified water, cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate—that make up the capsule shell and help with absorption.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Acetyl-l-carnitine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support cellular energy production.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Cancer-related fatigue, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue, mitochondrial function, metabolic energy — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Acetyl-l-carnitine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Acetyl-l-carnitine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cancer-related fatigue, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is possibly effective for several conditions according to the evidence we hold: age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, alcohol use disorder, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes), and depression. That means there's promising research but not yet ironclad proof.

If you're considering this for one of those reasons, talk with your doctor about whether the evidence fits your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Acetyl-l-carnitine

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been fully studied. The most common side effects are agitation, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and reduced appetite.

Some people report a fishy odor in urine, breath, or sweat from a metabolite of the supplement. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can occur, though they don't usually happen more often than with placebo.

There isn't enough reliable safety information for pregnancy—your doctor should decide if it's right for you. Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it's safer to avoid it unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Acetyl-l-carnitine

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Acetyl-l-carnitine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 203 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this supplement, double-check your medications with your pharmacist if you take any serotonergic drugs (including most antidepressants and some migraine or pain medications), blood thinners like warfarin or acenocoumarol, or thyroid hormone replacement. These carry Moderate-severity interactions with acetyl-L-carnitine.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Acetyl-L-carnitine may be worth considering if you're dealing with age-related cognitive changes, Alzheimer disease, diabetic nerve damage, depression, or alcohol use disorder and want to explore what research supports. However, it's not for you if you take serotonergic antidepressants, blood thinners like warfarin, or thyroid hormone—check with your pharmacist first.

Talk through it with your healthcare provider, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any prescription medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 20, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Bluebonnet
Barcode (UPC) 743715000179
Net contents 30 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 314771
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, No Allergies, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
743715000179
IngredientAmount% DV
Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Water, Purified, Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Bluebonnet's Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg Vegetable Capsules are formulated with the free-form amino acids acetyl l-carnitine to help support cellular energy production.

Bluebonnet's KOF-K Certification #K-0000700

K Parve (Kosher)

Formulation

May support Cellular energy production

Free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Also free of corn, gluten, barley, rice, sodium and sugar. This product does not contain common GE genes or proteins. Visit igenprogram.com

Cellular energy production

Vegan

Gluten free

Precautions

Caution: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

K Parve (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride

Interacts with
203 drugs
500 mg per serving

Acetyl-L-carnitine is a form of the amino acid carnitine that the body uses to help produce energy in cells. It is most studied for nerve pain and mem...

Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Water, Purified, Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
203Drugs
203 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride4 drug types · 203 drugs

Acenocoumarol (Sintrom)

Theoretically, acetyl-L-carnitine might increase the anticoagulant effects of acenocoumarol.
L-carnitine, the parent compound of acetyl-L-carnitine, might enhance the anticoagulant effects of acenocoumarol, an oral anticoagulant that is similar to warfarin, but shorter-acting. There are at least two case reports of INR elevation when L-carnitine was taken with acenocoumarol. In one case, a 33-year-old male with a previously stable INR had an elevated INR of 4.65 after L-carnitine was started and continued for 10 weeks. INR normalized after discontinuation of the L-carnitine-containing product. It is unclear if such an interaction would also occur with acetyl-L-carnitine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Theoretically, acetyl-L-carnitine might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders, when taken with serotonergic drugs.
Animal research shows that acetyl-L-carnitine can increase levels of serotonin in the brain.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, acetyl-L-carnitine might decrease the effectiveness of thyroid hormone replacement.
L-carnitine appears to act as a peripheral thyroid hormone antagonist by inhibiting entry of thyroid hormone into the nucleus of cells. Taking L-carnitine also seems to diminish some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It is unclear if such an interaction would occur with acetyl-L-carnitine.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, acetyl-L-carnitine might increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
L-carnitine, the parent compound of acetyl-L-carnitine, might increase the anticoagulant effects of acenocoumarol, a shorter-acting oral anticoagulant similar to warfarin. There is not enough information to know whether this interaction occurs with acetyl-L-carnitine and warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg, from the product label.

Bluebonnet

Name
Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation
Street Address
12915 Dairy Ashford
City
Sugar Land
State
Texas
ZipCode
77478
Web Address
www.bluebonnetnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet: Common Questions

Does Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg by Bluebonnet interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg has a known interaction with 203 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is acetyl-L-carnitine supposed to do?
Acetyl-L-carnitine plays a role in energy production in your cells. Research suggests it may be helpful for age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, alcohol use disorder, diabetic nerve damage, and depression, though the evidence is still considered possibly effective rather than definitive.
What are the most common side effects?
Agitation, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and reduced appetite are the most commonly reported. Some people notice a fishy odor in their urine, breath, or sweat. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive upset can happen too, but they don't usually occur more often than with a placebo.
Is it safe to take long-term?
Short-term use is generally well tolerated, but long-term safety hasn't been fully established. If you're thinking of taking it for more than a few weeks, check with your doctor about what we know and what we don't.
Can I take it if I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough reliable safety information to say yes or no. You'll need to talk with your doctor or midwife about whether it's right for your situation.
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it's safer to avoid it unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
Why do I need to check my medications with this?
Acetyl-L-carnitine interacts with several common drug types—serotonergic antidepressants, blood thinners like warfarin, and thyroid hormone—and can change how they work in your body. Your pharmacist can look up your exact prescriptions to see if there's a real issue for you.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 22 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Acetyl-l-carnitine 22 references
  1. Thal LJ, Carta A, Clarke WR, et al. A 1-year multicenter placebo-controlled study of acetyl-L-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Neurology 1996;47:705-11. PubMed
  2. Sano M, Bell K, Cote L, et al. Double-blind parallel design pilot study of acetyl levocarnitine in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Arch Neurol 1992;49:1137-41. PubMed
  3. Spagnoli A, Lucca U, Menasce G, et al. Long-term acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in Alzheimer's Disease. Neurology 1991;41:1726-32. PubMed
  4. Brooks JO 3rd, Yesavage JA, Carta A, Bravi D. Acetyl L-carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer's disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach. Int Psychoger 1998;10:193-203. PubMed
  5. Pettegrew JW, Klunk WE, Panchalingam K, et al. Clinical and neurochemical effects of acetyl-L-carnitine in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 1995;16:1-4. PubMed
  6. Rai G, Wright G, Scott L, et al. Double-blind, placebo controlled study of acetyl-l-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. Curr Med Res Opin 1990;11:638-47. PubMed
  7. Benvenga S, Ruggeri RM, Russo A, et al. Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Clin Endocrinol Meta
  8. Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein R. Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2003;18:61-71.. PubMed
  9. Martinez E, Domingo P, Roca-Cusachs A. Potentiation of acenocoumarol action by L-carnitine. J Intern Med 1993;233:94.
  10. Hudson S, Tabet N. Acetyl-L-carnitine for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;2:CD003158.. PubMed
  11. Bachmann HU, Hoffmann A. Interaction of food supplement L-carnitine with oral anticoagulant acenocoumarol. Swiss Med Wkly 2004;134:385. PubMed
  12. De Grandis D, Minardi C. Acetyl-L-carnitine (levacecarnine) in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. A long-term, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Drugs R D 2002;3:223-31. PubMed
  13. 12761 Benvenga S, Amato A, Calvani M, Trimarchi F. Effects of carnitine on thyroid hormone action. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004;1033:158-67. PubMed
  14. Sima AAF, Calvani M, Mehra M, et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine improves pain, nerve regeneration, and vibratory perception in patients with chronic diabetic neuropathy: An analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Diabetes Care 2005;28:89-94.
  15. Youle, M. and Osio, M. A double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicentre study of acetyl L-carnitine in the symptomatic treatment of antiretroviral toxic neuropathy in patients with HIV-1 infection. HIV.Med. 2007;8(4):241-250.
  16. Brennan BP, Jensen JE, Hudson JI, Coit CE, Beaulieu A, Pope HG Jr, Renshaw PF, Cohen BM. A placebo-controlled trial of acetyl-L-carnitine and a-lipoic acid in the treatment of bipolar depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2013 Oct;33(5):627-35.
  17. Ledinek AH, Sajko MC, Rot U. Evaluating the effects of amantadin, modafinil and acetyl-L-carnitine on fatigue in multiple sclerosis--result of a pilot randomized, blind study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2013 Dec;115 Suppl 1:S86-9. PubMed
  18. Martinotti G, Andreoli S, Reina D, Di Nicola M, Ortolani I, Tedeschi D, Fanella F, Pozzi G, Iannoni E, D'Iddio S, Prof LJ. Acetyl-l-Carnitine in the treatment of anhedonia, melancholic and negative symptoms in alcohol dependent subjects. Prog Neuropsychop PubMed
  19. Baek SM, Zheng R, Seo EJ, Hwang DY, Kim BH. Pharmacokinetic comparisons of two acetyl-L-carnitine formulations in healthy Korean volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2015;53(11):980-6. PubMed
  20. Goodison G, Overeem K, de Monte V, Siskind D. Mania associated with self-prescribed acetyl-l-carnitine in a man with bipolar I disorder. Australas Psychiatry. 2017;25(1):13-4.
  21. Bruno A, Pandolfo G, Crucitti M, Lorusso S, Zoccali RA, Muscatello MR. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Augmentation of Clozapine in Partial-Responder Schizophrenia: A 12-Week, Open-Label Uncontrolled Preliminary Study. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2016;39(6):277-80. PubMed
  22. Veronese N, Stubbs B, Solmi M, Ajnakina O, Carvalho AF, Maggi S. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation and the Treatment of Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychosom Med. 2018;80(2):154-9. PubMed

See these in context on the Acetyl-l-carnitine monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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