Karnithen
Karniten: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Drug interactions
- 10. Analogs
- 11. Terms and conditions of storage
- 12. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 13. Reviews
- 14. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Carnitene
ATX code: A16AA01
Active ingredient: levocarnitine (Levocarnitine)
Producer: Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite SpA (Italy)
Description and photo update: 2019-12-07
Carnitene is a metabolic drug.
Release form and composition
Carnitene dosage form:
- oral solution: transparent, colorless (in a cardboard box 10 vials of dark yellow glass containing 10 ml of solution);
- chewable tablets: round, white or almost white, flat (in a cardboard box 5 strips containing 2 tablets);
- solution for intravenous (IV) administration: colorless, transparent (in a cardboard box 1 tray with 5 ampoules of dark light-shielding glass containing 5 ml of solution).
Each pack also contains instructions for the use of Karniten.
Composition of 10 ml solution for oral administration:
- active substance: levocarnitine - 1 g;
- auxiliary components: distilled water, sodium saccharinate dihydrate, sodium benzoate, 2-hydroxybutadionic acid (D, L-malic acid).
Composition of 1 tablet:
- active substance: levocarnitine - 1 g;
- auxiliary components: magnesium stearate, sucrose, licorice flavor, mint flavor.
Composition of 5 ml solution for intravenous administration:
- active substance: levocarnitine hydrochloride - 1.23 g (corresponds to the content of levocarnitine - 1 g);
- auxiliary component: water for injection - up to 5 ml.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Levocarnitine is a natural substance related to the B vitamins used to correct metabolic processes. It takes part in metabolic processes - from the cytoplasm it transfers fatty acids through cell membranes into mitochondria, in which these acids are oxidized to form a large amount of energy (in the form of adenosine triphosphate).
The pharmacological actions of levocarnitine also include:
- normalization of protein and fat metabolism;
- restoration of the alkaline reserve of blood;
- inhibition of the formation of keto acids and anaerobic glycolysis;
- decrease in the degree of lactic acidosis;
- increased physical activity and exercise tolerance.
In addition, levocarnitine provides economical consumption of glycogen and an increase in its reserves in the liver.
Indications for use
Oral solution, chewable tablets
- carnitine deficiency (primary and secondary);
- metabolic disorder in the myocardium in ischemic cardiomyopathy - postinfarction state, angina pectoris.
Solution for intravenous administration
- secondary carnitine deficiency;
- metabolic disorders in the myocardium in acute myocardial infarction;
- hypoperfusion due to cardiogenic shock.
Contraindications
Carnitene is not used in the presence of individual intolerance to the components that make up it.
Chewable tablets are not prescribed for children under 3 years of age.
Under medical supervision, the drug is used in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Karnitene, instructions for use: method and dosage
Oral solution
Carnitene solution is taken orally, regardless of food. Immediately before use, the contents of the bottle are dissolved in 1 glass of water.
The daily dose of the drug for carnitine deficiency (primary and secondary) against the background of genetic pathologies, depending on the patient's age and body weight, is:
- children under 2 years of age: 1.5 ml per 1 kg of body weight;
- children from 2 to 6 years old: 1 ml per 1 kg of body weight;
- children from 6 to 12 years old: 0.75 ml per 1 kg of body weight;
- adolescents from 12 years old and adult patients: from 20 to 40 ml (depending on the doctor's recommendations and the severity of the disease).
In case of secondary deficiency in patients on hemodialysis, 20 to 40 ml of solution per day is prescribed.
Patients with angina pectoris and postinfarction conditions are prescribed 20-60 ml of Carnitene per day.
Chewable tablets
Carniten tablets are taken orally, regardless of food.
The daily dose for primary and secondary carnitine deficiency with genetic pathologies is set individually, depending on the age and weight of the patient:
- children from 3 to 6 years old: 0.1 g per 1 kg of body weight;
- children from 6 to 12 years old: 0.75 g per 1 kg of body weight;
- adolescents from 12 years old and adult patients: from 2 to 4 g (depending on the severity of the disease and the doctor's recommendations).
In cases of secondary deficiency in hemodialysis, take 2-4 g of Carnitene per day.
For angina pectoris and postinfarction conditions, patients are prescribed from 2 to 6 g of the drug per day.
Solution for intravenous administration
Carnitene solution is administered intravenously.
Recommended dosage regimen:
- secondary deficiency of carnitine during hemodialysis: 2 g of the drug (contents of 2 ampoules) per day IV slowly after a hemodialysis session;
- acute myocardial infarction: 0.1-0.2 g of solution per 1 kg of body weight, 4 slow intravenous injections, or continuous intravenous administration for the first 2 days with a further decrease in the dose of the drug by 2 times until then while the patient is in the cardiology department. After that, the patient is transferred to a solution for oral administration at a dose of 20-60 ml per day or chewable tablets 2-6 pcs. per day on the recommendation of a doctor, taking into account the severity of the disease.
In cases of cardiogenic shock, intravenous administration of Carnitene is continued until the patient comes out of this state.
Side effects
Oral solution, chewable tablets
During the period of Karnitene therapy, allergic reactions, mild gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, pain in the epigastric region), as well as muscle weakness in patients with uremia may develop.
Solution for intravenous administration
- allergic reactions;
- muscle weakness against the background of uremia;
- pain along the vein with rapid intravenous administration of the drug (80 drops per 1 min or more), which disappears with a decrease in the rate of administration.
Overdose
As a result of an overdose of levocarnitine, toxic manifestations were not revealed.
special instructions
It should be borne in mind that the appointment of Carnitene in diabetes mellitus in patients taking insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs for oral administration may cause hypoglycemia due to improved glucose uptake. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to control the blood glucose level in order to timely adjust the doses of hypoglycemic agents.
The solution intended for intravenous injection should be injected slowly (within 2-3 minutes).
Cases of metabolic dependence or addiction to Carnitene have not been established.
Drug interactions
Glucocorticosteroid drugs, when combined with levocarnitine, promote its accumulation in tissues.
Analogs
Carniten's analogues are Elkar, L-Carnitine Rompharm, Nefrocarnit, Levokarnil.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store in a place protected from light and moisture at temperatures up to 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Shelf life:
- oral solution - 5 years;
- chewable tablets - 3 years;
- solution for intravenous administration - 4 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Oral solution and chewable tablets are available without a prescription, solution for intravenous administration - by prescription.
Reviews about Karniten
According to reviews, Carnitene is a safe and effective metabolism-boosting drug. The product does not cause side effects when used in children.
The price of Karnitene in pharmacies
The approximate price for Karniten (in a package of 10 vials of 10 ml solution for oral administration) is 1068-1520 rubles.
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
