Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

L-Carnitine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Puritan's Pride

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

L-Carnitine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Puritan's Pride with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for exercise performance and recovery, heart health, weight management.Based on those ingredients, 19 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Carnitine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride

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 product contains one active ingredient: L-Carnitine at 500 mg per dose. L-Carnitine is an amino acid that your body uses to move fatty acids into cells where they're burned for energy.

The product also contains inactive ingredients (cellulose, stearic acid, carnauba wax, silica, and magnesium stearate), which are fillers and binders that hold the supplement together.

Does it work?

Strong 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 L-carnitine's overall clinical evidence instead.

Strong

Strong clinical evidence supports 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: L-carnitine deficiency — rated "Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Angina — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Congestive heart failure (CHF) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hyperlipidemia — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Myocarditis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

L-Carnitine is established as effective for treating L-carnitine deficiency. For other uses—high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), heart failure (congestive heart failure), and chest pain (angina)—the evidence is rated as possibly effective, meaning there's some supporting research but it's not definitive.

The data we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for other conditions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 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.

L-Carnitine is generally well tolerated at typical doses. The most common side effects are stomach-related: abdominal cramps, pain, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and reduced appetite.

Some people report a fish-like body odor. At high doses, stomach upset becomes more likely.

Seizures are rare but have been reported. There isn't enough reliable safety data for use outside of medical supervision, and safety while breastfeeding hasn't been well studied, so caution is advised if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient 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 — L-carnitine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 19 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.

If you take warfarin or acenocoumarol (blood thinners), or thyroid hormone replacement, double-check with your pharmacist before starting L-Carnitine. Both interactions are Moderate in severity and could affect how well your medications work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

L-Carnitine can work for carnitine deficiency and may help with heart and cholesterol issues, but it's worth checking first if you take blood thinners or thyroid medication—those are the interactions we know about. Talk to your pharmacist before starting, especially if you have a history of seizures or stomach problems.

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 Aug 22, 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 L-Carnitine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Puritan's Pride
Barcode (UPC) 025077168309
Net contents 120 Coated Caplet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 22, 2024
DSLD ID 318290
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, 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 L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride, 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 Caplet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Caplet(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
025077168309
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Carnitine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Carnauba Wax, Silica, 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.
General Statements

Puritan's Pride supplements are produced from the finest raw materials under stringent quality control standards. State-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging facilities ensure you the highest quality nutritional supplements money can buy. When it comes to your health...choose the best.

To reorder item # 16830 www.puritan.com

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store at room temperature.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2022 Puritan's Pride, Inc.

Formulation

Free Form Different color Same product Contains ingredients that may result in a variation of color and appearance over time.

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium free.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, take one (1) caplet four times daily, preferably with meals.

Seals/Symbols

Quality Assured

See for yourself

L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride

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

Serving size1 Caplet(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Carnitine

Interacts with
19 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: L-Carnitine L-Tartrate

L-carnitine is a compound your body makes naturally and also gets from foods like meat. It helps cells turn fat into energy, and supplements are most...

L-Carnitine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Carnauba Wax, Silica, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against 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
19Drugs
19 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in 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.

L-Carnitine3 drug types · 19 drugs

Acenocoumarol (Sintrom)

Theoretically, L-carnitine might increase the anticoagulant effects of acenocoumarol.
L-carnitine might enhance the anticoagulant effects of acenocoumarol, an oral anticoagulant similar to warfarin, but shorter-acting. There are at least two case reports of INR elevation with concomitant use. 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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, 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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, L-carnitine might increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
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 L-carnitine and warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Puritan's Pride

See all Puritan's Pride products
Name
Puritan's Pride, Inc.
City
Ronkonkoma
State
NY
ZipCode
11779
Phone Number
1-800-645-1030
Web Address
www.puritan.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride: Common Questions

Does L-Carnitine 500 mg by Puritan's Pride interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Carnitine 500 mg has a known interaction with 19 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
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 does L-Carnitine do in the body?
L-Carnitine is an amino acid that helps your body move fat into cells so it can be burned for energy. It's especially important in the heart and muscles, which is why it's studied for heart and energy-related conditions.
Can L-Carnitine cause stomach problems?
Yes. Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects. Some people also notice a fish-like body odor. Higher doses increase the chances of stomach upset.
Is L-Carnitine effective for high cholesterol and heart failure?
The evidence suggests it's possibly effective for both, meaning there's some research support but it's not definitive. For L-carnitine deficiency itself, it is established as effective.
Is it safe to take L-Carnitine while breastfeeding?
Safety while breastfeeding hasn't been well studied, so caution is advised. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to decide if it's right for you personally.
Does L-Carnitine increase the risk of heart problems?
Interestingly, taking L-Carnitine as a supplement is not associated with increased heart disease risk. In fact, research suggests supplementation may be linked to a reduction in all-cause mortality and certain heart rhythm problems.

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

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

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

L-Carnitine 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

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 41 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.

L-carnitine 41 references
  1. Ellaway CM, Williams K, Leonard H, et al. Rett syndrome: randomized controlled trial of L-carnitine. J Child Neurol 1999;14:162-7. PubMed
  2. Anon. Carnitor (levocarnitine) package insert. Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc, Gaithersburg, MD. December 1999.
  3. Cherchi A, Lai C, Angelino F, et al. Effects of L-carnitine on exercise tolerance in chronic stable angina: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1985;23:569-72.
  4. Plioplys AV, Plioplys S. Amantadine and L-carnitine treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Neuropsychobiology 1997;35:16-23. PubMed
  5. 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
  6. Martinez E, Domingo P, Roca-Cusachs A. Potentiation of acenocoumarol action by L-carnitine. J Intern Med 1993;233:94.
  7. Bachmann HU, Hoffmann A. Interaction of food supplement L-carnitine with oral anticoagulant acenocoumarol. Swiss Med Wkly 2004;134:385. PubMed
  8. Evans AM, Fornasini G. Pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine. Clin Pharmacokinet 2003;42:941-67. PubMed
  9. 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
  10. Ciacci C, Peluso G, Iannoni E, et al. L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: a pilot study. Dig Liver Dis 2007;39:922-8. PubMed
  11. Cruciani RA, Dvorkin E, Homel P, et al. Safety, tolerability and symptom outcomes associated with L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cancer, fatigue, and carnitine deficiency: a phase I/II study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2006;32:551-9. PubMed
  12. Lebrun C, Alchaar H, Candito M, et al. Levocarnitine administration in multiple sclerosis patients with immunosuppressive therapy-induced fatigue. Mult Scler 2006;12:321-4. PubMed
  13. Malaguarnera M, Cammalleri L, Gargante MP, et al. L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:1738-44. PubMed
  14. Mantovani G, Maccio A, Madeddu C, et al. Randomized phase III clinical trial of five different arms of treatment in 322 patients with cancer cachexia. Oncologist 2010;15:200-11.
  15. Angelova-Fischer I, Rippke F, Fischer TW, Neufang G, Zillikens D. A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled efficacy assessment study of a skin care formulation for improvement of mild to moderately severe acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Jul PubMed
  16. Hatamkhani S, Khalili H, Karimzadeh I, Dashti-Khavidaki S, Abdollahi A, Jafari S. Carnitine for prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity: a randomized, clinical trial. J Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2014 May;29(5):997-1004. PubMed
  17. Boehm G, Stahl B. Oligosaccharides from milk. J Nutr 2007;137(3 Suppl 2):847S-849S.
  18. Van Oudheusden, L. J. and Scholte, H. R. Efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 2002;67(1):33-38. PubMed
  19. Derosa, G., Cicero, A. F., Gaddi, A., Mugellini, A., Ciccarelli, L., and Fogari, R. The effect of L-carnitine on plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Ther 2003;25(5):1429-1439. PubMed
  20. Foitzik, K., Hoting, E., Heinrich, U., Tronnier, H., and Paus, R. Indications that topical L-carnitin-L-tartrate promotes human hair growth in vivo. J Dermatol.Sci 2007;48(2):141-144. PubMed
  21. Kumar, A., Singh, R. B., Saxena, M., Niaz, M. A., Josh, S. R., Chattopadhyay, P., Mechirova, V., Pella, D., and Fedacko, J. Effect of carni Q-gel (ubiquinol and carnitine) on cytokines in patients with heart failure in the Tishcon study. Acta Cardiol. 20
  22. Cruciani, R. A., Dvorkin, E., Homel, P., Culliney, B., Malamud, S., Lapin, J., Portenoy, R. K., and Esteban-Cruciani, N. L-carnitine supplementation in patients with advanced cancer and carnitine deficiency: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Pa PubMed
  23. Malaguarnera, M., Vacante, M., Avitabile, T., Malaguarnera, M., Cammalleri, L., and Motta, M. L-Carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes. Am J Clin.Nutr 2009;89(1):71-76. PubMed
  24. Alvarez, T. M., Guardiola, P. D., Roldan, J. O., Elviro, R., Wevers, R., and Guijarro, G. [Primary trimethylaminuria: the fish odor syndrome]. Endocrinol.Nutr. 2009;56(6):337-340.
  25. Wu, Z. M., Lu, X., Wang, Y. W., Sun, J., Tao, J. W., Yin, F. H., and Cheng, H. J. [Short-term medication of L-carnitine before intracytoplasmic sperm injection for infertile men with oligoasthenozoospermia]. Zhonghua Nan.Ke.Xue 2012;18(3):253-256.
  26. Tarighat, Esfanjani A., Mahdavi, R., Ebrahimi, Mameghani M., Talebi, M., Nikniaz, Z., and Safaiyan, A. The effects of magnesium, L-carnitine, and concurrent magnesium-L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis. Biol.Trace Elem.Res 2012;150(1-3): PubMed
  27. DiNicolantonio, J. J., Lavie, C. J., Fares, H., Menezes, A. R., and O'Keefe, J. H. L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013;88(6):544-551. PubMed
  28. Huang, W. W., Wang, M. Y., Shi, H. M., Peng, Y., Peng, C. S., Zhang, M., Li, Y., Lu, J., and Li, X. B. Comparative study of bioactive constituents in crude and processed Glycyrrhizae radix and their respective metabolic profiles in gastrointestinal tract
  29. Madsen KL, Preisler N, Orngreen MC, Andersen SP, Olesen JH, Lund AM, Vissing J. Patients with medium-chain acyl-coenzyme a dehydrogenase deficiency have impaired oxidation of fat during exercise but no effect of L-carnitine supplementation. J Clin Endocri
  30. Prohaska ES, Muzyk AJ, Rivelli SK. Levocarnitine-induced hypophosphatemia in a hemodialysis patient with acute valproic acid toxicity. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2012 Winter;24(1):E18-9. PubMed
  31. Shang R, Sun Z, Li H. Effective dosing of L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2014 Jul 21;14:88. PubMed
  32. Zhang JJ, Wu ZB, Cai YJ, Ke B, Huang YJ, Qiu CP, Yang YB, Shi LY, Qin J. L-carnitine ameliorated fasting-induced fatigue, hunger, and metabolic abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled study. Nutr J. 2014 Nov 26;13:110. PubMed
  33. Koeth RA, Wang Z, Levison BS, Buffa JA, Org E, Sheehy BT, Britt EB, Fu X, Wu Y, Li L, Smith JD, DiDonato JA, Chen J, Li H, Wu GD, Lewis JD, Warrier M, Brown JM, Krauss RM, Tang WH, Bushman FD, Lusis AJ, Hazen SL. Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carn
  34. Jun DW, Kim BI, Cho YK, Kim HJ, Kwon YO, Park SY, Han SY, Baek YH, Jung YJ, Kim HY, Kim W, Heo J, Woo HY, Hwang SG, Rim KS, Choi JY, Bae SH, Lee YS, Lim YS,Cheong JY, Cho SW, Lee BS, Kim SH, Sohn JH, Kim TY, Paik YH, Kim JK, Lee KS. Efficacy and safety of
  35. An JH, Kim YJ, Kim KJ, et al. L-carnitine supplementation for the management of fatigue in patients with hypothyroidism on levothyroxine treatment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Endocr J. 2016;63(10):885-95. PubMed
  36. Chen N, Yang M, Zhou M, Xiao J, Guo J, He L. L-carnitine for cognitive enhancement in people without cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;3:CD009374. PubMed
  37. Khajeh B, Dashti-Khavidaki S, Nasiri-Toosi M, Mohammadi K, Jafari A. Effects of pre-transplant L-carnitine supplementation on primary graft dysfunction in liver transplant recipients: a pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Res Pharm Sci. PubMed
  38. Kubota K, Uojima H, Shao X, et al. Additional L-carnitine Reduced the Risk of Hospitalization in Patients with Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy on Rifaximin. Dig Dis 2021. PubMed
  39. Amini L, Yaghini O, Ghazavi M, Aslani N. L-carnitine versus propranolol for pediatric migraine prophylaxis. Iran J Child Neurol 2021;15(2):77-86.
  40. Shakibaei F, Jelvani D. Effect of adding l -carnitine to risperidone on behavioral, cognitive, social, and physical symptoms in children and adolescents with autism: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Neuropharmacol 2023;4 PubMed
  41. Moustafa I, Connolly C, Anis M, Mustafa H, Oosthuizen F, Viljoen M. A prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin E and levocarnitine prophylaxis against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in adult breast cancer patients. J Oncol Phar PubMed

See these in context on the 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

Keep exploring