Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Solgar

Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a dietary supplement by Solgar with 2 active ingredients. 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 Arginate Dihydrochloride. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: acetyl-L-carnitine arginate dihydrochloride and acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride. Both are forms of acetyl-L-carnitine, a compound related to an amino acid your body makes naturally.

The inactive ingredients are common tablet fillers and binders—dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, silica, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, vegetable magnesium stearate, and vegetable glycerin.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Acetyl-l-carnitine's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Acetyl-l-carnitine for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Age-related cognitive decline — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Alcohol use disorder — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Alzheimer disease — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Depression — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Diabetic neuropathy — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold rates acetyl-L-carnitine as possibly effective for age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, alcohol use disorder, diabetic neuropathy, and depression. That means there's some supporting research, but the evidence isn't yet considered strong or definitive.

If you're considering this for one of those reasons, talk to your doctor about whether it's worth trying alongside any other treatments you're using.

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, though 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 gastrointestinal effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, though these don't typically occur more often than with placebo. There's an unusual side effect: a metabolite of acetyl-L-carnitine can cause a fishy odor in urine, breath, and sweat.

In people with Alzheimer disease, psychiatric effects like depression, confusion, or aggression have been reported, but it's unclear whether acetyl-L-carnitine causes these or whether they're from the disease itself. There isn't enough reliable safety information to recommend this supplement during breastfeeding.

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.

Check with your pharmacist if you take serotonergic drugs (antidepressants, migraine medications, and others that affect serotonin), warfarin or other blood thinners (anticoagulants), or thyroid hormone replacement. All three have moderate-severity interactions documented 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 some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Acetyl-L-carnitine might help with cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, or a few other conditions, but the evidence is mixed. If you take serotonergic drugs (like many antidepressants), blood thinners, or thyroid hormone, you'll need to check with your pharmacist first—the interactions are documented and real.

The supplement is generally well tolerated short-term, though long-term safety is uncertain.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 26, 2020.

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 Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine, straight from the product label.

Brand Solgar
Barcode (UPC) 033984005594
Net contents 60 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2020
DSLD ID 213912
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
033984005594
IngredientAmount% DV
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate Dihydrochloride320 mg--
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Hydrochloride320 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Vegetable Glycerin

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.
Formulation

Solgar's Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine Tablets are free of corn, yeast, wheat, soy and dairy products and are formulated without the use of artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.

Suitable for vegetarians

Sugar, salt and starch free

Storage

To assure freshness and potency, store at room temperature 59 degrees-86 degrees F (15 degrees-30 degrees C). Store away from heat, light and moisture.

Formula

Solgar's KOF-K certification #K-1250

Supplies Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate and Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL

Precautions

Do not use if outer bottle seal is missing, torn or damaged in any way.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

General Statements

For more information, call toll-free 1-877-SOLGAR 4 www.solgar.com Solgar since 1947

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

K Parve (Kosher)

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement for adults, take one (1) tablet up to three (3) times daily, between meals, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

See for yourself

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

320 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 Arginate Dihydrochloride monograph & interactions

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Hydrochloride

Interacts with
203 drugs
320 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: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Vegetable Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine?

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 Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine 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 Arginate Dihydrochloride4 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 Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine, from the product label.

Solgar

See all Solgar products
Name
Solgar Vitamin and Herb
City
Leonia
State
N.J.
ZipCode
07605
Phone Number
1-877-765-4274
Web Address
www.solgar.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar: Common Questions

Does Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine by Solgar interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine 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?
Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
The data on file doesn't include pregnancy safety information for this ingredient. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you during pregnancy—they can weigh the pros and cons based on your individual situation.
What are the most common side effects?
Agitation, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and reduced appetite are reported most often. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, or digestive upset, though these don't usually happen more often than with a placebo. An unusual side effect is a fishy smell to urine, breath, and sweat.
How long does it take to work?
The facts we hold don't include information on how quickly you might see results. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on a reasonable timeframe to assess whether it's helping.
Is this safe to use long-term?
Short-term use is generally well tolerated, but long-term safety hasn't been fully established. If you're thinking about using it for months or longer, discuss that with your healthcare provider.
Can I take this with other supplements?
The facts don't cover interactions with other supplements. Since this product does interact with several medications, it's smart to run all your supplements and drugs through a checker with your pharmacist before starting.

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

Not sure if Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine 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.

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Advanced Acetyl-L-Carnitine'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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